Question On Notice No. 6079 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 31 March 2020 by Mr D.T. Redman
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Environment; Disability Services; Electoral Affairs
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the deployment of Kimberley Aboriginal Rangers to the Stirling Range National Park to assist with the response effort to fire affected Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions assets, and ask:
(a) Can the Minister confirm that indigenous rangers have been brought down from
the Kimberley to support efforts to upgrade fire affected infrastructure
in the Stirling Range National Park;
(b) If so, were local aboriginal groups consulted on this decision;
(c) If so, was consideration given to the utilisation of local indigenous
rangers in addition to those already deployed to assist with this effort; and
(d) Would the Minister consider giving indigenous rangers on the South Coast
and Great Southern the opportunity to travel to the Kimberley to assist
in that region?
Answered on 13 May 2020
- In response to community calls for an expedited reopening of key attractions in the Stirling Range National Park (SRNP) after the bushfire, a Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) work crew was sent to support DBCA’s Albany District in bushfire recovery actions. Some of the work crew that travelled from the Kimberley region were Aboriginal people employed by DBCA.
- The team deployed was a DBCA work crew. They were deployed, as per normal business practices, to undertake DBCA work in another region.
- The Southern Aboriginal Corporation rangers have assisted with walk trail repairs in the SRNP. The Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation was also provided an opportunity to be contracted for the trail repairs but did not take up the offer.
- Yes. This would be an operational response coordinated by DBCA as part of its normal business practices, if and when required.