Question On Notice No. 426 asked in the Legislative Council on 31 October 2017 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Planning
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
(1) Is the Minister aware that Bush Forever was introduced and commenced in December 2000 and was meant to be completed in 2010?
(2) Is the Minister aware that in 2012 the Urban Bushland Council, with the support of the Department of Environment and Conservation held a Bush Forever Report Card Conference, which revealed the extent of the implementation and the incomplete actions?
(3) Is the Minister aware that at the Bush Forever Report Card Conference in 2012 the Minister for Planning committed to the preparation of an audit as a priority to be completed by early 2013?
(4) I refer to question without notice No. 439 asked on 12 May 2016 by Hon Lynn MacLaren regarding Bush Forever Sites, and ask:
(a) now that the "Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5 million'' has been released, will the Minister please table the audit results; and
(b) if no to (a), why not?
Answered on 6 December 2017
(1)-(4) Fifteen broad actions were identified in the Bush Forever document released in 2000. As of 2012, 14 actions were implemented or initiated and ongoing (such as advisory services and on-ground management). In relation to the remaining action, being an audit of Bush Forever, an initial audit of commitments and sites has been undertaken and is currently being assessed.
Since 2000, when the Bush Forever document was released:
- over $150 million has been spent by the Western Australian Planning Commission on the acquisition of 1680 hectares of Bush Forever land; and
- there has been:
- an increase of Bush Forever sites that are reserved for Parks and Recreation to just over 80 per cent (up 16 per cent since 2000); and
- a decrease of 5 per cent of Bush Forever areas in private ownership to 4.2 per cent.