Diane Evers’ February Update

Trying to save precious places, and lobsters

2019-03-06

By Hon. Diane Evers, MLC, Member for South West

Yoondadadup Lake Jasper

I’m delighted to report that efforts to protect Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake may be close to success!

In February the D’Entrecasteaux Coalition received a letter from Premier Mark McGowan signalling his government’s intention to prevent any future mining at Yoondadadup Lake Jasper.

The Premier’s commitment came just days before I tabled a petition in parliament containing almost 1000 signatures supporting the objection of a 2018 mining lease application at the site.

This is a tremendous outcome for the environmental protection group and is culmination of their decades of effort and coordinated protest to protect the environment

I have been proud to represent the D’Entrecasteaux Coalition and wider community in parliament and full credit must be given to the coalition and its co-conveners, Andy Russell and Geoff Evans, who have faced down multiple mining lease applications before finally receiving this wonderful news.

Nullaki lime Pit

One issue I have called on local and state government to join me in challenging is January’s State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) decision to grant conditional approval of a limestone mine on the Nullaki Peninsula (the Nullaki).

The establishment of a mine would see the extraction of up to 50,000 tonnes of lime per year from within a conservation zone instituted for the protection, enhancement and rehabilitation of the flora, fauna and landscape qualities of the site.

Intense community resistance has grown after multiple rejections by the City of Albany were ignored and overturned by the SAT, and 92% of public submissions objected to, or raised concerns about, this extraction project.

I strongly support local residents who argue this extraction disregards the objectives of the conservation zone and will be detrimental to the fragile environment of the Nullaki.

A fauna study funded by the Natural Resource Management Program is currently being conducted and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation have not received an application for a clearing permit under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

I believe there may be valid reasons to challenge the 2017 determination by the EPA not to assess the proposal, and will write to the EPA requesting they reconsider their determination.

Western Rock Lobster Industry

Did you hear the one about the minister and the lobster industry?

In January it seemed impossible to avoid debate about the State Government’s plans to nationalise 17% of the western rock lobster industry — quite contrary to the low-key response the Fisheries Minister may have expected when announcing the plan over the Christmas break.

The proposed changes suggested increasing the commercial catch to 8,000 tonnes.

As The Greens (WA) marine and coastal issues spokesperson I could not support government intervention in a market where economic objectives were in conflict with environmental sustainability — especially when the effect of climate change on the population of the species is so potentially volatile.

The scheme outlined a commercial plan for a five-year-plus period, despite sustainable catch quotas being based on four-year breeding projections, meaning these goals of conservation and profit were in unresolvable conflict

As it turns out, after insurmountable political and industry opposition, the State Government withdrew its plan and reached a new agreement with the western rock lobster industry to increase the commercial catch by a smaller amount.

I’m relieved the punchline to this tale was to not risk the environmental sustainability of a natural resource for commercial reasons.

Greens Pool

I was disappointed by Rick Mazza MLC’s motion in Parliament to disallow the December 2018 ban on fishing at Greens Pool in the Great Southern’s William Bay National Park.

With more than 238,000 visitors to the National Park each year, Greens Pool is a world-class natural tourist destination and asset to the south coast and the State.

I am committed to supporting the ban placed on all fishing at Greens Pool from December of last year.

Living in the South West and having enjoyed Greens Pool many times in the past, I recognise that this change creates a sanctuary that can be safely enjoyed by local residents and the many visitors.

I will be speaking against the motion in parliament, indicatively scheduled for May.

Lake Mullocullup

I remain committed to preventing any gazettal of Lake Mullocullup for waterskiing and in January I visited the location to see first-hand the impact this would have on the lake’s ecological health and Aboriginal heritage.

As the lake is a State Aboriginal heritage-registered site, Albany Council first needs to lodge a Section 18 notice to the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee for approval of the intended recreational use and I am currently awaiting the outcome of this referral.

I wrote last year to the City of Albany and the Minister for Lands, Planning and Transport expressing objection of the gazettal, urging the City and the Minister to listen to the local Aboriginal people, respect the significance of the area and preserve such an important cultural and historical site.

I am also encouraging all concerned parties to also write to the Hon. Ben Wyatt MLA, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA Minister for Lands, Planning and Transport, expressing objection to the gazettal.

The People Place Protected

Finally, I was so glad to hear The People Place in Busselton has had its immediate future secured after they were recently considered ineligible for funding through a competitive tender process.

The community centre, previously funded under the former Supporting Communities Program, provides vital services and programs and has been a fixture in Busselton for over 25 years.

As a result of questions on the matter I asked when parliament resumed, the centre has been informed its tenure has been extended until 2024, with future State-funding flagged.

The news really put a smile on my face!

Other News in Brief

  • January: My team and I returned from the Christmas break to prepare for the year ahead and attended meetings and briefings on matters across a number of issues throughout the month
  • February 1: I visited Jerramungup and Bremer Bay for two community consultation sessions about Rural Regeneration — how to invest in regional areas to allow our environment and local communities to thrive
  • February 12: State Parliament returned from the Christmas and New Year’s recess
  • On February 13: I attended a SMART Drum Line update meeting hosted by the Conservation Council of WA, learning about some environmental transparency methods applied to the now-underway Gracetown trial
  • February 14: the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs delivered the report on its inquiry into compensation for farmers as a result of contamination by genetically modified material. I was disappointed, but unsurprised by the outcome, however, I would challenge its finding that there is insufficient evidence to justify a departure from the common law mechanism
  • On February 16 I visited the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, listening to locals and planning more Rural Regeneration!
  • On February 20 I gave a member’s statement in parliament calling on the need to create a fit-for-purpose State of the Environment report for Western Australia

Header photo: Lake Jasper