A WA parliamentary question addresses a proposal by the Belang Aboriginal Corporation for a living area excision in the Shire of Murchison, raising concerns about government support, existing occupation, and the Shire's concerns.

AnsweredQoN 1660Legislative Council
Asked
10 December 2003
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

I refer the minister to a proposal that was put to government by the Belang Aboriginal Corporation for a living area excision in the Shire of Murchison. (1) Does the Government support the creation of the living area? (2) Is the Government aware that Aboriginal people are already living on the land; and, if so, does it support the occupation before any living area has been approved? (3) Is the Government aware of the concerns of the Shire of Murchison about the future creation of a living area in the vicinity of Belang pool? (4) If yes to (3), what must the shire do to encourage the Government not to support the application for a living area? Hon KEN TRAVERS

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(1) Does the Government support the creation of the living area? (2) Is the Government aware that Aboriginal people are already living on the land; and, if so, does it support the occupation before any living area has been approved? (3) Is the Government aware of the concerns of the Shire of Murchison about the future creation of a living area in the vicinity of Belang pool? (4) If yes to (3), what must the shire do to encourage the Government not to support the application for a living area? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(2) Is the Government aware that Aboriginal people are already living on the land; and, if so, does it support the occupation before any living area has been approved? (3) Is the Government aware of the concerns of the Shire of Murchison about the future creation of a living area in the vicinity of Belang pool? (4) If yes to (3), what must the shire do to encourage the Government not to support the application for a living area? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(3) Is the Government aware of the concerns of the Shire of Murchison about the future creation of a living area in the vicinity of Belang pool? (4) If yes to (3), what must the shire do to encourage the Government not to support the application for a living area? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(4) If yes to (3), what must the shire do to encourage the Government not to support the application for a living area? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(1) A request for a living area has been made to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. DPI is still liaising with the applicants to determine the exact area of the application. When the area is identified, DPI will refer the request to the minister for initial consideration. (2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(2) The Aboriginal people have made an application that is under consideration, but no approval has been given to date. Occupation is therefore unauthorised and potentially unlawful. (3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(3) Yes. (4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
(4) The Shire of Murchison’s concerns will be taken into account when the application is assessed.

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