❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses environmental management in the Mid West/Murchison rangelands, covering flora surveys, vegetation quality, sandalwood harvesting, and soil degradation. The Minister's response outlines monitoring programs, harvest limits, and sustainability initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 365Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to environmental management in the rangelands of the Mid West or Murchison -
(1) Have any regular flora surveys been carried out?
(2) If so -
(a) when;
(b) where; and
(c) can the Minister list the references and table a copy of the results?
(3) Could the Minister confirm that the pastoral stations in the Murchison have over 50 per cent poor or worse quality native vegetation and if this is not the case, can the Minister provide the correct percentage and list the names of the stations?
(4) What is the current rate of sandalwood harvesting per year and is there evidence to show that current sandalwood harvesting is sustainable?
(5) Is there a limit on the amount of sandalwood that can be removed from an area for which a licence has been granted, and which agency carries out the monitoring to ensure that licence conditions are complied with?
(6) Given that it has been reported that the loss of topsoil on rangelands is up to 10 times greater than on freehold farmland and the State Government’s Sustainability Strategy, how will this excessive rate of soil degradation be addressed?
(1) Have any regular flora surveys been carried out?
(2) If so -
(a) when;
(b) where; and
(c) can the Minister list the references and table a copy of the results?
(3) Could the Minister confirm that the pastoral stations in the Murchison have over 50 per cent poor or worse quality native vegetation and if this is not the case, can the Minister provide the correct percentage and list the names of the stations?
(4) What is the current rate of sandalwood harvesting per year and is there evidence to show that current sandalwood harvesting is sustainable?
(5) Is there a limit on the amount of sandalwood that can be removed from an area for which a licence has been granted, and which agency carries out the monitoring to ensure that licence conditions are complied with?
(6) Given that it has been reported that the loss of topsoil on rangelands is up to 10 times greater than on freehold farmland and the State Government’s Sustainability Strategy, how will this excessive rate of soil degradation be addressed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 March 2003
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
75 days
(b) where; and (c) can the Minister list the references and table a copy of the results?
(c) can the Minister list the references and table a copy of the results?
(3) The Environmental Protection Authority Preliminary Position Statement on Protection and Environmental Sustainability of the Rangelands in Western Australia reports the Murchison region as having 42% of its area in poor condition, 37% in fair condition and 21% in good condition. The condition assessment is derived from combining scores for vegetation condition and the extent of accelerated erosion. The Department of Agriculture holds data derived from the program of rangeland monitoring, condition assessment and pastoral lease inspections. (4) The harvest of sandalwood from Crown land in the rangelands is managed through production contracts and annual harvest plans administered by the Forest Products Commission. The current Order in Council limits this harvest to 3000 tonnes per annum, but actual annual harvest levels are set by the Forest Products Commission. Inquiries on Crown land harvest should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (5) Yes. Harvest plans and contracts are administered by the Forest Products Commission for Crown land. This system sets the limits for sandalwood harvest from specific harvest areas. The Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with contracts. (6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
(4) The harvest of sandalwood from Crown land in the rangelands is managed through production contracts and annual harvest plans administered by the Forest Products Commission. The current Order in Council limits this harvest to 3000 tonnes per annum, but actual annual harvest levels are set by the Forest Products Commission. Inquiries on Crown land harvest should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (5) Yes. Harvest plans and contracts are administered by the Forest Products Commission for Crown land. This system sets the limits for sandalwood harvest from specific harvest areas. The Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with contracts. (6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
(5) Yes. Harvest plans and contracts are administered by the Forest Products Commission for Crown land. This system sets the limits for sandalwood harvest from specific harvest areas. The Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with contracts. (6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
(6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
(c) can the Minister list the references and table a copy of the results?
(3) The Environmental Protection Authority Preliminary Position Statement on Protection and Environmental Sustainability of the Rangelands in Western Australia reports the Murchison region as having 42% of its area in poor condition, 37% in fair condition and 21% in good condition. The condition assessment is derived from combining scores for vegetation condition and the extent of accelerated erosion. The Department of Agriculture holds data derived from the program of rangeland monitoring, condition assessment and pastoral lease inspections. (4) The harvest of sandalwood from Crown land in the rangelands is managed through production contracts and annual harvest plans administered by the Forest Products Commission. The current Order in Council limits this harvest to 3000 tonnes per annum, but actual annual harvest levels are set by the Forest Products Commission. Inquiries on Crown land harvest should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (5) Yes. Harvest plans and contracts are administered by the Forest Products Commission for Crown land. This system sets the limits for sandalwood harvest from specific harvest areas. The Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with contracts. (6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
(4) The harvest of sandalwood from Crown land in the rangelands is managed through production contracts and annual harvest plans administered by the Forest Products Commission. The current Order in Council limits this harvest to 3000 tonnes per annum, but actual annual harvest levels are set by the Forest Products Commission. Inquiries on Crown land harvest should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (5) Yes. Harvest plans and contracts are administered by the Forest Products Commission for Crown land. This system sets the limits for sandalwood harvest from specific harvest areas. The Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with contracts. (6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
(5) Yes. Harvest plans and contracts are administered by the Forest Products Commission for Crown land. This system sets the limits for sandalwood harvest from specific harvest areas. The Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with contracts. (6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
(6) A range of statutory and policy measures are in place to deliver environmental management in the rangelands. The Land Administration Act 1997 establishes the Pastoral Lands Board and gives it the responsibility to ensure pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. The Act further requires that pastoral lessees use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has established a Pastoralism for Sustainability Working Group to progress achievement of sustainable land management on pastoral rangelands. The Department of Agriculture provides regional monitoring of rangelands condition through the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), conducts assessments of pastoral leases for the Pastoral Lands Board and provides support to pastoralists to undertake their own monitoring. This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
This Government supports the Gascoyne Murchison Strategy, which includes the Regional Environmental Management Program with initiatives to improve natural resource management and pastoral sustainability, including Total Grazing Management systems and the Ecosystem Management Unit project.
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