Reserves Bill 2025
Introduction and first reading
Hon Samantha Rowe (Parliamentary Secretary) Bill introduced, on motion by on behalf of Hon Matthew Swinbourn (Minister for the Environment), and read a first time.
Second reading speech
Hon Samantha Rowe (East Metropolitan Region—Parliamentary Secretary) (5:13 pm): I move:
That the bill be now read a second time.
I am pleased to introduce the Reserves Bill 2025 to the house. The Reserves Bill 2025 seeks Parliament's approval to implement amendments to 10 class A reserves and six other reserves in the metropolitan, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. Presenting these amendments in one bill assists in expediting parliamentary business by reducing the number of bills needed to deal with relatively modest land changes. I trust that members of the opposition appreciate the efficiency of dealing with the matters collectively.
The bill is necessary because class A reserves are the highest form of protection under part 4 of the Land Administration Act 1997. Changes of purpose and excisions of more than one hectare or 5% of an existing class A reserve require the authority of both houses of Parliament. Although most of the amendments in this bill are modest land changes, they allow for good housekeeping of Western Australia's crown land estate. The nature of the amendments ranges from changing the purpose of reserves to better reflect land use and management objectives, to excising small land parcels for transfer to the management of local governments to give them certainty, deliver community services, such as managing recreational reserves, and having in place long-term waste-management solutions.
The bill will also create a new class A conservation park in the Shire of Wandering on the western edge of the Wheatbelt region. The Wandering Conservation Park will protect 3,211 hectares of jarrah and wandoo forest. It is a practical demonstration of the Cook government's commitment to protect our South West forests. Many of the land changes have been requested by local governments and as previously mentioned will deliver better land management outcomes and community services to the shire, town or city and their local communities. In support of this objective, and to afford clarity in administering state land, I encourage Parliament to support this bill.
Pursuant to standing order 126(1), I advise that this is not a uniform legislation bill. It does not ratify or give effect to an intergovernmental or multilateral agreement to which the government of the state is a party; nor does this bill, by reason of its subject matter, introduce a uniform scheme or uniform laws throughout the Commonwealth.
I commend the bill to the house and table the explanatory memorandum.
(See paper 94.)
Debate adjourned, pursuant to standing orders.
