❓ The Minister for Environment outlines the government's plans for new marine and national parks in the Kimberley, focusing on conservation, tourism, and joint management with traditional owners, particularly the Dambimangari people, highlighting increased employment opportunities for Aboriginal rangers.
AnsweredQoN 1054Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KIMBERLEY
SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION STRATEGY — NATIONAL AND MARINE PARKS
1054. Mr
M.H. TAYLOR to the Minister for Environment:
I understand the minister recently released plans for the new
marine parks and national parks in the Kimberley as part of the state
government's Kimberly science and conservation strategy. Can he advise
what these plans mean for conservation and tourism in the Kimberley?
SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION STRATEGY — NATIONAL AND MARINE PARKS
1054. Mr
M.H. TAYLOR to the Minister for Environment:
I understand the minister recently released plans for the new
marine parks and national parks in the Kimberley as part of the state
government's Kimberly science and conservation strategy. Can he advise
what these plans mean for conservation and tourism in the Kimberley?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Bateman for
the question.
I very recently released the draft management plan for
Horizontal Falls, which includes the north Lalang-garram marine site and the
proposed Oomeday national park for the terrestrial side of Horizontal Falls.
The creation of a terrestrial national park and a marine park around Horizontal
Falls is another of our 2013 election commitments, and this plan is the
culmination of a positive partnership between the state government and the
Dambimangari traditional owners in the Kimberley. It will be rolled out through
this government's $81.5 million strategy, which is aimed at creating
five new marine parks throughout the Kimberley—increasing the area of
this state's marine parks by 2.5 times; the strategy will also create
Australia's biggest national park. One reason that the Kimberley is so
significant is that it is the most environmentally or ecologically intact
environment in Australia. It is the only region of Australia where there has
not been a single mammal extinction since European settlement. The Horizontal Falls
plan provides a framework for future joint management for these areas, as well
as long-term conservation. There are joint management opportunities with
traditional owners, as well as future tourism —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen!
Mr A.P. JACOB :
Importantly, member for Girrawheen, there will be employment opportunities for
the Dambimangari people in the Kimberley. Member for Girrawheen, when we came
into government only 15 Aboriginal rangers were employed on country in the
Kimberley; through the Kimberley science and conservation strategy, 200 traditional
owners are now employed on and caring for their country through joint
management arrangements in the Kimberley. There is more to come, and I look forward
to updating the house when we release the final management plan for the Great
Kimberley Marine Park; work is continuing on that. I encourage anyone in the
community with an interest to submit comments. This is a draft plan, and I also
encourage members with an interest to put forward their views on this plan.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen!
the question.
I very recently released the draft management plan for
Horizontal Falls, which includes the north Lalang-garram marine site and the
proposed Oomeday national park for the terrestrial side of Horizontal Falls.
The creation of a terrestrial national park and a marine park around Horizontal
Falls is another of our 2013 election commitments, and this plan is the
culmination of a positive partnership between the state government and the
Dambimangari traditional owners in the Kimberley. It will be rolled out through
this government's $81.5 million strategy, which is aimed at creating
five new marine parks throughout the Kimberley—increasing the area of
this state's marine parks by 2.5 times; the strategy will also create
Australia's biggest national park. One reason that the Kimberley is so
significant is that it is the most environmentally or ecologically intact
environment in Australia. It is the only region of Australia where there has
not been a single mammal extinction since European settlement. The Horizontal Falls
plan provides a framework for future joint management for these areas, as well
as long-term conservation. There are joint management opportunities with
traditional owners, as well as future tourism —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen!
Mr A.P. JACOB :
Importantly, member for Girrawheen, there will be employment opportunities for
the Dambimangari people in the Kimberley. Member for Girrawheen, when we came
into government only 15 Aboriginal rangers were employed on country in the
Kimberley; through the Kimberley science and conservation strategy, 200 traditional
owners are now employed on and caring for their country through joint
management arrangements in the Kimberley. There is more to come, and I look forward
to updating the house when we release the final management plan for the Great
Kimberley Marine Park; work is continuing on that. I encourage anyone in the
community with an interest to submit comments. This is a draft plan, and I also
encourage members with an interest to put forward their views on this plan.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen!
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