❓ Dr. Thomas questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding delays to the State Barrier Fence extension, particularly concerning engagement with the Ngadju people and alternative construction options. The Minister acknowledges delays and ongoing discussions, citing various impacting factors and progress made.
AnsweredQoN 1171Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BARRIER FENCE — ESPERANCE EXTENSION
1171. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the stalled state barrier fence extension approved
in 2019, which, five years later, apparently has been put in the too-hard
basket, and specifically to the gap of approximately 140 kilometres in the
Salmon Gums western section. I also refer to the minister's meeting of
2 November 2023 with the Esperance Biosecurity Association.
(1) Why has
the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development failed to engage
with the Ngadju people or deliver an options analysis for fence realignment?
(2) Why has
the minister failed to instruct DPIRD to negotiate an Indigenous land use
agreement with the Ngadju Native Title
Aboriginal Corporation to facilitate the construction of the barrier fence
within a state reserve?
(3) Why has
the minister and DPIRD not actively progressed the option of fence construction
progression on private land, thus eliminating the need for an ILUA?
(4) Will the minister commit to a completion timeframe for
the extension of the state barrier fence?
1171. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the stalled state barrier fence extension approved
in 2019, which, five years later, apparently has been put in the too-hard
basket, and specifically to the gap of approximately 140 kilometres in the
Salmon Gums western section. I also refer to the minister's meeting of
2 November 2023 with the Esperance Biosecurity Association.
(1) Why has
the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development failed to engage
with the Ngadju people or deliver an options analysis for fence realignment?
(2) Why has
the minister failed to instruct DPIRD to negotiate an Indigenous land use
agreement with the Ngadju Native Title
Aboriginal Corporation to facilitate the construction of the barrier fence
within a state reserve?
(3) Why has
the minister and DPIRD not actively progressed the option of fence construction
progression on private land, thus eliminating the need for an ILUA?
(4) Will the minister commit to a completion timeframe for
the extension of the state barrier fence?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development is in ongoing and respectful discussions with the Ngadju
people about native title processes. We appreciate landowners'
frustrations and we are working hard to complete this important $10 million
project to protect livestock businesses. A number of factors have impacted the
initial project timeframe, including fence alignment surveying and tender and
procurement processes. Weather and environmental conditions have also limited
site access. In the past 11 months,
preparatory works have been underway to start the section east of Salmon Gums
to the Beaumont area, including
clearing 122 kilometres for construction. We have completed 176 kilometres of
the extension and we assure landholders that we are working hard to
secure the appropriate environmental and heritage approvals required to
complete the remaining sections.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development is in ongoing and respectful discussions with the Ngadju
people about native title processes. We appreciate landowners'
frustrations and we are working hard to complete this important $10 million
project to protect livestock businesses. A number of factors have impacted the
initial project timeframe, including fence alignment surveying and tender and
procurement processes. Weather and environmental conditions have also limited
site access. In the past 11 months,
preparatory works have been underway to start the section east of Salmon Gums
to the Beaumont area, including
clearing 122 kilometres for construction. We have completed 176 kilometres of
the extension and we assure landholders that we are working hard to
secure the appropriate environmental and heritage approvals required to
complete the remaining sections.
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