Question On Notice No. 1899 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 March 2019 by Hon Diane Evers
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
(1) How many Western Australian wetlands are listed under the Ramsar Convention?
(2) Which Western Australian wetlands are listed under the Ramsar Convention?
(3) When was the last batch of Western Australian wetlands nominations for Ramsar listing submitted:
(a) which of these wetlands achieved Ramsar listing?
(4) When will the next batch of Western Australian wetlands nominations for Ramsar listing be submitted?
(5) Have the tributaries of the Lower Blackwood been nominated for Ramsar listing:
(a) if no to (4), why not;
(b) if no, does the Minister intend to nominate the tributaries of the lower Blackwood for Ramsar listing;
(c) if yes to (4)(b), when; and
(d) if no to (4)(b), why not?
Answered on 10 April 2019
(1) 12.
(2) Becher Point Wetlands, Ord River Floodplain, Lakes Argyle and Kununurra, Roebuck Bay, Eighty Mile Beach, Forrestdale and Thomsons Lakes, Peel-Yalgorup System, Lake Toolibin, Vasse-Wonnerup System, Lake Warden System, Lake Gore, and Muir-Byenup System.
(3) November 2000.
(3)(a) All of the nominations received Ramsar listing. These were three new designated sites: Becher Point Wetlands, Lake Gore, and Muir-Byenup System; and extensions to four designated sites: Ord River Floodplain, Peel-Yalgorup System, Lake Toolibin and Vasse-Wonnerup System.
(4) Additional wetlands will be submitted for consideration by the State Government for nomination as the required documentation and public consultation is completed to the standards required by the Australian Government.
(5) No.
(5)(a) The documentation and public consultation requirements have not been completed.
(5)(b) A decision on whether or not to nominate will be informed by stakeholder support. Further stakeholder support is required to finalise the nomination process for this site.
(5)(c-d) Not Applicable.