WA Bluemetal extraction site - encroachment into state forest
448. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the answer to question on notice 2150 regarding the encroachment of the WA Bluemetal extraction site in Whitby into state forest.
(1) When did the Department of Environment and Conservation first become aware of this encroachment?
(2) How much state forest land was subject to encroachment?
(3) How often are informal assessments of the type described in the answer to question on notice 2150 undertaken?
(4) How often are formal assessments of the site undertaken?
(5) Will the minister please table maps of the areas referred to in the answer to question on notice 2150 that are currently the subject of a land exchange proposal?
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied:
I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) The Department of Environment and Conservation has confirmed that the matter was reported by DEC field staff in the first week of February 2007.
(2) Approximately 1.25 hectares.
(3) I am advised that DEC undertakes informal assessments on an opportunistic basis or in response to any concern raised with the department.
(4) DEC generally accompanies officers of the Department of Mines and Petroleum on their formal periodic site inspections.
(5) Yes. I will table the maps entitled “WA Blue Metal Land Swap Proposal–Sheet 1” and “WA Blue Metal Land Swap Proposal–Sheet 2”. These maps show the areas of private property to be provided to the state, outlined in yellow, in exchange for the proposed mining lease, outlined in red.
Mr President, I have just noticed that these are actually photocopies, so probably the “yellow” and “red” are not all that clear. I will endeavour to get a coloured version for the member.
[See paper 2239.]