❓ Question regarding the demolition of Oombulgurri, focusing on resident relocation, property protection, and asset ownership. The Minister provides details on relocation assistance, property assessment, and future land use.
AnsweredQoN 629Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
OOMBULGURRI
— HOUSES DEMOLITION
629. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation has invited officers
from his department to attend the BAC annual general meeting on 22 and 23
October 2013 in Wyndham to provide a report on Oombulgurri?
(2) Will the
minister make a commitment to send an officer or staff member to the AGM to
provide an update?
(3) Is the
minister aware that many Oombulgurri residents left their community with
nothing more than they could carry?
(4) Given that
the government is now planning to demolish everything at Oombulgurri except the
clinic, school and seven houses, what is the minister doing to ensure that
residents' property—for example boats, furniture, whitegoods
and personal belongings—is protected and returned to the owners?
(5) Who owns the buildings marked
for demolition and the land title?
(6) Will the minister table the
Department of Housing report he referred to yesterday?
— HOUSES DEMOLITION
629. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation has invited officers
from his department to attend the BAC annual general meeting on 22 and 23
October 2013 in Wyndham to provide a report on Oombulgurri?
(2) Will the
minister make a commitment to send an officer or staff member to the AGM to
provide an update?
(3) Is the
minister aware that many Oombulgurri residents left their community with
nothing more than they could carry?
(4) Given that
the government is now planning to demolish everything at Oombulgurri except the
clinic, school and seven houses, what is the minister doing to ensure that
residents' property—for example boats, furniture, whitegoods
and personal belongings—is protected and returned to the owners?
(5) Who owns the buildings marked
for demolition and the land title?
(6) Will the minister table the
Department of Housing report he referred to yesterday?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1)–(2) Yes.
(3) Oombulgurri
residents, as at December 2011, were provided with an opportunity to pack and
remove belongings. It was neither feasible nor cost effective to take larger
items of furniture and items such as whitegoods. Residents at that time packed
their own belongings and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs removed them to
Wyndham. Some residents did have some large items of furniture remaining that
could not be retrieved.
(4) All relocated
residents were provided with a new whitegoods package. A comprehensive
photographic record of all items remaining in homes was made by DAA, and
consideration will be given to compensating owners for any items of value lost
in the demolition process. Most residents assured DAA staff that any remaining
items were unwanted. DAA is unaware of any large items such as boats remaining
at Oombulgurri. There are some car and truck bodies and shells of boats et cetera;
however, these items are not in useable condition and will be removed to the
landfill site.
(5) The Aboriginal Lands Trust owns the buildings and holds
the land title.
(6) No. The
Aboriginal Lands Trust has reviewed all assets at the community and identified
which are to be retained for possible future use as a commercial venture for
the Balanggarra traditional owners. All other assets are to be demolished.
question.
(1)–(2) Yes.
(3) Oombulgurri
residents, as at December 2011, were provided with an opportunity to pack and
remove belongings. It was neither feasible nor cost effective to take larger
items of furniture and items such as whitegoods. Residents at that time packed
their own belongings and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs removed them to
Wyndham. Some residents did have some large items of furniture remaining that
could not be retrieved.
(4) All relocated
residents were provided with a new whitegoods package. A comprehensive
photographic record of all items remaining in homes was made by DAA, and
consideration will be given to compensating owners for any items of value lost
in the demolition process. Most residents assured DAA staff that any remaining
items were unwanted. DAA is unaware of any large items such as boats remaining
at Oombulgurri. There are some car and truck bodies and shells of boats et cetera;
however, these items are not in useable condition and will be removed to the
landfill site.
(5) The Aboriginal Lands Trust owns the buildings and holds
the land title.
(6) No. The
Aboriginal Lands Trust has reviewed all assets at the community and identified
which are to be retained for possible future use as a commercial venture for
the Balanggarra traditional owners. All other assets are to be demolished.
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