Question On Notice No. 1489 asked in the Legislative Council on 20 August 2014 by Hon Lynn Maclaren
Question Directed to the: Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Planning
Parliament: 39 Session: 1
Question
(1) Referring to the outbreak of weed mentioned in (15) of question on notice No. 287, answered on 22 October 2013:
(a) was the previous weed control program suspended;
(b) was the suspension due to a lack of funding; and
(c) will the Minister order a review to be conducted of the weed outbreak?
(2) Does the Minister consider glyphosate, that is residual and a harsh chemical, should be used in wet areas?
(3) Will the Minister instruct for Bioactive only to be used in wetland areas?
(4) Referring to the feral animal control mentioned in (16) of question on notice No. 287, answered on 22 October 2013, is the Minister aware that the local Landcare group has baited and carried out programs to control foxes and rabbits, with the approval of the Western Australian Planning Commissioner and by arrangement with the previous Field Management Officer and the Department of Agriculture and Food?
(5) Is the Minister aware that rehabilitation work by the local Landcare group continues?
(6) Has management of this area reduced in the past two years?
(7) If yes to (6), will the Minister order a review of the 2010 management plan?
(8) Will the Minister instruct the Western Australian Planning Commission to increase the budget and management practices for Stakehill Wetland?
Answered on 25 September 2014
(1)(a) No
(b) Not applicable
(c) No
(2) The Department of Parks and Wildlife provides guidelines on wetland weed control in its publication A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia, and these are followed by the Department of Planning in managing wetland areas.
(3) Glyphosate was used in perimeter areas where it was judged that it would not enter the wetlands. The Department of Planning uses contractors who are familiar with wetland weed management and apply a variety of approaches in managing weed infestations, including the use of Biactive.
(4) The Field Management Officers are aware of previous work undertaken in the Stakehill area and, as noted in my answer to part 16 of question on notice 287, no baiting is currently programmed for this area by the Department of Planning. Any baiting that is occurring without Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) permission will be investigated with regard to possible infringements.
(5) No. However the Department of Planning is always willing to work on high-value land with volunteers and 'Friends of' groups where prior formal arrangements are in place.
(6) No
(7) Not applicable
(8) The WAPC has an annual budget that is used to manage all of its land estate, and no changes have been planned for this area in the 2014-15 budget.