Question Without Notice No. 439 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 June 2018 by Hon Robin Chapple
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
DAMPIER ARCHIPELAGO AND BURRUP PENINSULA — WORLD HERITAGE LISTING
439. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
As members know, unfortunately I have been away because I was not particularly well, but I am back!
I refer to the government's commitment for World Heritage listing, with Dampier Archipelago and the Burrup non-industrial lands to be nominated to the World Heritage List. I refer also to the recent decision by the board of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to pursue World Heritage listing.
(1) When will the state government advise the federal government of its desire to have this area placed on the World Heritage List?
(2) Given that nominations need to be received by the World Heritage Committee Secretariat at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris by 1 February each year for consideration by the committee in the following year, will the government advise the federal government in a timely manner to ensure assessment by the World Heritage Committee in time for deliberation and acceptance by February 2020?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I note that this question was asked on 8 May, but the answer is still current.
(1) The government has been working closely with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to progress the World Heritage listing of the Burrup. The MAC board has agreed to progress World Heritage listing and is currently consulting with its membership to confirm this position. MAC has advised the government that it will write to the state government to request that World Heritage listing of the Burrup is progressed once the support of its members and the circle of elders is confirmed. The government will advise the federal government of its desire to have the Burrup placed on the World Heritage List when confirmation from MAC is received.
(2) The timing of the nomination for World Heritage listing is dependent upon confirmation by MAC of its support for World Heritage listing.
(3) Not applicable.