Question On Notice No. 2821 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 February 2020 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Water
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the land-clearing on a Water Corporation water reserve, off McGuigan Road, north of Broome; and to the answers received to question on notice 2604, having been asked in the Legislative Council, on 24th October 2019; and I ask:
(a) is the Minister aware that the land-clearing for a conventional orchard is being partly funded by a Regional Economic Development (RED) grant of $100,000AUD;
(b) is the Minister aware that the land-clearing application, drafted by the Water Corporation, states that no pesticides will be used on the water reserve;
(c) does the proponent's application for the RED grant include a proposal to use pesticides or herbicides on the water reserve:
(i) if yes to (b), why does the landclearing application, drafted by the Water Corporation, state no herbicides or pesticides are to be used; and
(ii) if yes to (b), why are the discrepancies between the RED grant application and the land-clearing application;
(d) are the use of pesticides or herbicides permitted on the water reserve:
(i) if no to (c), under what regulation; and
(ii) if yes to (c), why;
(e) if the proposal goes ahead, will the use of herbicides and/or pesticides be permitted at the site:
(i) if yes to (e), does the Minister consider it likely that they will be used at the site; and
(ii) if no to (e), how would the use of chemicals be prevented;
(f) how does the department intend to monitor the site, to ensure chemicals are not used;
(g) how would regrowth and weeds be managed at the site without the use of herbicidal chemicals; and
(h) how would insects be controlled without the use of pesticides and other toxins?
Answered on 2 April 2020
(a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) (i)- (ii) The use of herbicides and insecticides was an error made by the Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) when putting together their application for the Regional Economic Development (RED) grant. MAC has informed the Water Corporation that no herbicides or insecticides would be used on site.
(d) The Broome Water Reserve is Water Corporation owned land. It includes lots 350 and 592 which have been allocated to MAC for their fruit orchard. Water Corporation is allowed to use pesticides and herbicides to manage their own land subject to normal environmental requirements. The fruit orchard will be located within the Broome Water Reserve, but outside the Public Drinking Water Source Area (PDWSA).
(i) Not applicable
(ii) Refer to response (d).
(e) MAC does not intend to use herbicides or insecticides on their fruit orchard site, which is outside the PDWSA. However, as per question (d) the use of herbicides and pesticides is permitted subject to normal environmental requirements.
(i) Refer to response (e).
(ii) Not applicable
(f) The Water Corporation has a license agreement that outlines the requirement for MAC to obtain and obey all approvals, consents, licences and permits required to carry out the permitted use on the fruit orchard site. Corporation representatives regularly meet with MAC to discuss the project and attend site as part of the partnership arrangement.
(g) MAC has extensive experience in managing weeds without the use of herbicidal chemicals at existing properties within the region. MAC is committed to submitting a comprehensive weed management plan.
Weeds and regrowth will be successfully managed using manual methods. This includes slashing regrowth in between rows of trees and the use of other manual equipment.
MAC, in partnership with Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), also plans to engage Plant & Food Research Pty Ltd to advise on operational efficiencies including the mitigation of weeds and pests.
(h) Trees planted by MAC are endemic to the area and have their own natural process of managing insects. By clearing narrow rows, while retaining remnant vegetation within each row, MAC are able to support the natural pest predator cycle with an aim to encourage a more organic style of fruit cropping. The low intensity orchard in effect will be an active trial for both growing and marketing of the fruit.