❓ The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs clarifies that the Aboriginal Lands Trust is responsible for feral animal control at Lake Gregory, confirming a recent cull of horses and camels conducted with RSPCA WA involvement and support to protect the environment and support Indigenous economic development.
AnsweredQoN 3469Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Are there plans to cull more horses at the Lake Gregory Pastoral Station in the Kimberley? (2) If yes to (1), approximately how many horses are planned in this cull? (3) Is the Minister required to approve this cull? (4) If yes to (3), has the Minister provided approval? (5) If no to (3), does the Minister condone this cull and why? (6) Was the RSPCA made aware of this cull? (7) If yes to (6), what was their position and why?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2015
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
29 days
1. An operation was carried out between 26 and 30 of October 2015.
2. 1549 horses and 884 camels were controlled in accordance with the highest standards of animal welfare.
3. No, this is the responsibility of the Aboriginal Lands Trust.
4. Not applicable.
5. As the landholder, the Aboriginal Lands Trust is legally obliged to control declared (feral) species on its land under the
Land Administration Act 1997
. Feral herbivores damage culturally sensitive sites and need to be controlled to protect the environment (including wetlands and fragile soils), improve public health and improve overall animal welfare outcomes.
The Aboriginal Lands Trust is also seeking to ensure functioning pastoral operations can be re-established by the Traditional Owners to create jobs and economic outcomes for the local Tjurabalan people. The control of feral herbivores is a vital precursor to this.
6. Yes.
7. The RSPCA WA has been closely involved in the development of operational procedures and supports the methodology being used, including the use of an independent veterinary service to monitor outcomes on the ground.
2. 1549 horses and 884 camels were controlled in accordance with the highest standards of animal welfare.
3. No, this is the responsibility of the Aboriginal Lands Trust.
4. Not applicable.
5. As the landholder, the Aboriginal Lands Trust is legally obliged to control declared (feral) species on its land under the
Land Administration Act 1997
. Feral herbivores damage culturally sensitive sites and need to be controlled to protect the environment (including wetlands and fragile soils), improve public health and improve overall animal welfare outcomes.
The Aboriginal Lands Trust is also seeking to ensure functioning pastoral operations can be re-established by the Traditional Owners to create jobs and economic outcomes for the local Tjurabalan people. The control of feral herbivores is a vital precursor to this.
6. Yes.
7. The RSPCA WA has been closely involved in the development of operational procedures and supports the methodology being used, including the use of an independent veterinary service to monitor outcomes on the ground.
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