Mr. Ripper questions the Minister for Environment about criticism of the Kimberley marine parks plan, suggesting it prioritises fishing and drilling over conservation. The Minister defends the plan, highlighting sanctuary areas and public consultation.

AnsweredQoN 32Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 February 2011
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

KIMBERLEY MARINE PARKS
(1) Is the minister aware that the government’s announcement in October last year about the Kimberley marine parks has been condemned by the Conservation Council, Environs Kimberley, and the World Wildlife Fund (Australia) with the suggestion being made that the model is better described as a plan for fishing and drilling parks? (2) What in fact are the multiple values that the government is aiming to manage in relation to the proposed Camden Sound Marine Park? Mr W.R. MARMION

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I will start by making the obvious statement that this government is proposing the establishment of four marine parks in an area of Western Australia that is considered by many to be one of the most pristine areas of the state. This will be recognised in history as one of this government’s finest achievements. The four proposed marine parks are Eighty Mile Beach marine park, Roebuck Bay marine park, Camden Sound marine park and West Kimberley marine park. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t the point the management regimes in the marine parks? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr W.R. MARMION : These marine parks will have sanctuary areas to ensure that they remain pristine in perpetuity. There will be controls around fishing and there will be small areas in which people can recreate. We have already put out an indicative management plan for the Camden Sound marine park. My agencies are working with me and I am working with the other decision maker, the Minister for Fisheries. The indicative management plan was released for public comment and the time for public comment closed in the last month. A number of submissions were made and will be assessed. I am confident that by the end of this year perhaps two or three marine parks will have been assessed and will be operational. This will be an outstanding achievement for Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
(2) What in fact are the multiple values that the government is aiming to manage in relation to the proposed Camden Sound Marine Park? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: (1)–(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I will start by making the obvious statement that this government is proposing the establishment of four marine parks in an area of Western Australia that is considered by many to be one of the most pristine areas of the state. This will be recognised in history as one of this government’s finest achievements. The four proposed marine parks are Eighty Mile Beach marine park, Roebuck Bay marine park, Camden Sound marine park and West Kimberley marine park. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t the point the management regimes in the marine parks? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr W.R. MARMION : These marine parks will have sanctuary areas to ensure that they remain pristine in perpetuity. There will be controls around fishing and there will be small areas in which people can recreate. We have already put out an indicative management plan for the Camden Sound marine park. My agencies are working with me and I am working with the other decision maker, the Minister for Fisheries. The indicative management plan was released for public comment and the time for public comment closed in the last month. A number of submissions were made and will be assessed. I am confident that by the end of this year perhaps two or three marine parks will have been assessed and will be operational. This will be an outstanding achievement for Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
Mr W.R. MARMION replied: (1)–(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I will start by making the obvious statement that this government is proposing the establishment of four marine parks in an area of Western Australia that is considered by many to be one of the most pristine areas of the state. This will be recognised in history as one of this government’s finest achievements. The four proposed marine parks are Eighty Mile Beach marine park, Roebuck Bay marine park, Camden Sound marine park and West Kimberley marine park. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t the point the management regimes in the marine parks? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr W.R. MARMION : These marine parks will have sanctuary areas to ensure that they remain pristine in perpetuity. There will be controls around fishing and there will be small areas in which people can recreate. We have already put out an indicative management plan for the Camden Sound marine park. My agencies are working with me and I am working with the other decision maker, the Minister for Fisheries. The indicative management plan was released for public comment and the time for public comment closed in the last month. A number of submissions were made and will be assessed. I am confident that by the end of this year perhaps two or three marine parks will have been assessed and will be operational. This will be an outstanding achievement for Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
(1)–(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I will start by making the obvious statement that this government is proposing the establishment of four marine parks in an area of Western Australia that is considered by many to be one of the most pristine areas of the state. This will be recognised in history as one of this government’s finest achievements. The four proposed marine parks are Eighty Mile Beach marine park, Roebuck Bay marine park, Camden Sound marine park and West Kimberley marine park. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t the point the management regimes in the marine parks? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr W.R. MARMION : These marine parks will have sanctuary areas to ensure that they remain pristine in perpetuity. There will be controls around fishing and there will be small areas in which people can recreate. We have already put out an indicative management plan for the Camden Sound marine park. My agencies are working with me and I am working with the other decision maker, the Minister for Fisheries. The indicative management plan was released for public comment and the time for public comment closed in the last month. A number of submissions were made and will be assessed. I am confident that by the end of this year perhaps two or three marine parks will have been assessed and will be operational. This will be an outstanding achievement for Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t the point the management regimes in the marine parks? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr W.R. MARMION : These marine parks will have sanctuary areas to ensure that they remain pristine in perpetuity. There will be controls around fishing and there will be small areas in which people can recreate. We have already put out an indicative management plan for the Camden Sound marine park. My agencies are working with me and I am working with the other decision maker, the Minister for Fisheries. The indicative management plan was released for public comment and the time for public comment closed in the last month. A number of submissions were made and will be assessed. I am confident that by the end of this year perhaps two or three marine parks will have been assessed and will be operational. This will be an outstanding achievement for Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr W.R. MARMION : These marine parks will have sanctuary areas to ensure that they remain pristine in perpetuity. There will be controls around fishing and there will be small areas in which people can recreate. We have already put out an indicative management plan for the Camden Sound marine park. My agencies are working with me and I am working with the other decision maker, the Minister for Fisheries. The indicative management plan was released for public comment and the time for public comment closed in the last month. A number of submissions were made and will be assessed. I am confident that by the end of this year perhaps two or three marine parks will have been assessed and will be operational. This will be an outstanding achievement for Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
Mr W.R. MARMION : These marine parks will have sanctuary areas to ensure that they remain pristine in perpetuity. There will be controls around fishing and there will be small areas in which people can recreate. We have already put out an indicative management plan for the Camden Sound marine park. My agencies are working with me and I am working with the other decision maker, the Minister for Fisheries. The indicative management plan was released for public comment and the time for public comment closed in the last month. A number of submissions were made and will be assessed. I am confident that by the end of this year perhaps two or three marine parks will have been assessed and will be operational. This will be an outstanding achievement for Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the values that you want to protect? Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
Mr W.R. MARMION : We will protect all the maritime marine values in the sanctuaries. People will not be able to fish in those particular sanctuaries. As someone who has lived in the Kimberley for three years — Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
Mr M.J. Cowper : In Derby. Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.
Mr W.R. MARMION : I lived in Derby, which is in the West Kimberley. That area is pristine. I visited West Kimberley recently and flew over the proposed Camden Sound marine park. I saw some areas that I had not seen before that are just outstanding. I have to say that I was stunned at just how magnificent the scenery was. The four proposed marine parks were initiated by the Premier of Western Australia and I acknowledge that the previous Minister for Environment was very supportive of them. These four marine parks in the Kimberley will go down as a legacy of this government.

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