YAKKA MUNGA STATION — LAND CLEARING
1054. Hon AARON STONEHOUSE to the minister representing the
Minister for Lands:
I refer the minister to recent
coverage, both online and in print, of Shanghai Zenith's land clearing
activities at Yakka Munga. As I understand it, that particular legal action was
brought because the company was believed to be in breach of the conditions
pertaining to its pastoral lease.
(1) Is it true
that, as well as limiting the actions that can be taken on pastoral
land, leases also contain details of activities that must be undertaken,
for example, grazing and rearing of cattle?
(2) If yes to
(1), might a company be taken to court for holding, but not properly utilising,
a pastoral lease in the event that they were not rearing cattle on the land in
question?
(3) If yes to (2), is the minister
aware of any plans to bring such an action at present?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I know this question was asked on 4 September, so
the answer will be current as at that date, particularly in relation to part
(3). I provide the following answer on behalf of the Minister for Lands.
(1)–(2) Yes.
(3) No.