❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Minister for the Environment regarding the clearing of native vegetation near Mt Observation at York, specifically concerning biodiversity assessment, EPA referral, and objections from the Commissioner for Soil Conservation. The Minister's response reveals that clearing occurred before the EPA could determine if assessment was required.
AnsweredQoN 884Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
884. Hon Giz Watson to the Attorney General representing the Minister for the Environment:
With regard to the clearing of native vegetation near Mt Observation at York and the Minister for the Environments letter of December 16 1999 -
(1) Was the area to be cleared assessed for its biodiversity value prior to clearing approval?
(2) Was the proposed clearing referred to the EPA/DEP for assessment?
(3) Was the Notice of Intent to Clear lodged with the Commissioner for Soil Conservation?
(4) If so, did the Commissioner for Soil Conservation lodge an objection to the application?
(5) If yes to (4), what was the outcome of this objection?
(6) Did the DEP attempt to impose an injunction on the clearing?
(7) Did the Minister support the imposition of an injunction?
(8) If not, why not?
With regard to the clearing of native vegetation near Mt Observation at York and the Minister for the Environments letter of December 16 1999 -
(1) Was the area to be cleared assessed for its biodiversity value prior to clearing approval?
(2) Was the proposed clearing referred to the EPA/DEP for assessment?
(3) Was the Notice of Intent to Clear lodged with the Commissioner for Soil Conservation?
(4) If so, did the Commissioner for Soil Conservation lodge an objection to the application?
(5) If yes to (4), what was the outcome of this objection?
(6) Did the DEP attempt to impose an injunction on the clearing?
(7) Did the Minister support the imposition of an injunction?
(8) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 November 2000
Response time
61 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) Yes, a preliminary assessment of the biodiversity values of this property was carried out by Agriculture Western Australia in 1997. This assessment was considered by the Inter-Agency Working Group under the Memorandum of Understanding for the Protection of Native Vegetation on Private Land in the Agricultural Region, along with other information provided by relevant government agencies.
(2) Yes, however the land owner proceeded with the clearing prior to the EPA determining whether assessment was required.
(3-4)Yes.
(5) The Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation informed the land owner that the existing Soil Conservation Notice remained in force.
(6) No
(7-8) Not applicable.
(1) Yes, a preliminary assessment of the biodiversity values of this property was carried out by Agriculture Western Australia in 1997. This assessment was considered by the Inter-Agency Working Group under the Memorandum of Understanding for the Protection of Native Vegetation on Private Land in the Agricultural Region, along with other information provided by relevant government agencies.
(2) Yes, however the land owner proceeded with the clearing prior to the EPA determining whether assessment was required.
(3-4)Yes.
(5) The Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation informed the land owner that the existing Soil Conservation Notice remained in force.
(6) No
(7-8) Not applicable.
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