Legislative Council
NATIVE VEGETATION CLEARANCE
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation
before asking the Minister for Transport and Urban Planning, representing the Minister for
Environment and Heritage, a question about native vegetation clearance.
Leave granted.
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I have received correspondence from
residents in the Mount Barker region expressing concern about apparent inaction by the
Native Vegetation Council in relation to the Kanmantoo mine site. I understand that
recently a property speculator purchased land, including that adjacent to the Kanmantoo
mine site. Within that site is one of the few remaining stands of native vegetation in the
Mount Barker area. It has been suggested to me that it may contain up to 50 per cent of
the remaining native vegetation in the region immediately around Mount Barker.
This land has been grazed for a number of decades by just the occasional horse. I am
informed that the new owner has been grazing cattle throughout this area. This action
consti-tutes clearance under the Native Vegetation Act—if indeed it is
occurring—by way of significant intensification of grazing pressure. My questions
are:
1. Why has there not been any action taken to prosecute under the Act in relation to
the situation?
2. What action will the Minister take on the issue?
The Hon. DIANA LAIDLAW: I will refer the honourable member's
question to the Minister and bring back a reply.
Read the Government's reply: 4 March 1999