DIEBACK —
MUNDARING–ALBANY FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ROUTE
1159. Hon DIANE EVERS to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the Mundaring–Albany
four-wheel drive route, dubbed the ''MundAl track''.
(1) How many dieback-affected areas
does the track go through?
(2) Has the
government evaluated the risk of vehicles spreading dieback from other areas to
the MundAl track; and —
(a) if so, what was the outcome of
the risk assessment; and
(b) if not, why not?
(3) How will the
government educate users about which areas to avoid and how to reduce the risk
of the spread of dieback?
(4) Have vehicle hygiene facilities
been provided; and —
(a) if so, please describe the
location and type of hygiene facilities provided; and
(b) if not, will
the government provide hygiene facilities in future if monitoring data
indicates it is necessary; and, if not, why not?
(5) How will the government monitor
the effect of the trail on dieback?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(5) The
Western Australian 4WD Association launched the MundAl track at the Perth 4WD
Show on 9 to 11 November 2018. I am advised that no consultation was undertaken
with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, even though
a significant portion of the 900-kilometre track traverses land managed by
DBCA. DBCA has now been provided with a digital alignment of the route, which
is being assessed for its appropriateness in relation to matters such as mining
operators, prescribed burning operations, dieback hygiene management, drinking
water catchment protection zones, visitor risk management, cultural heritage
management, and track maintenance and management.
Although I am supportive of new
tourism activities and people getting out and visiting our national parks and
reserves, visitor use needs to be appropriate and managed at suitable
locations. DBCA has requested that the Western Australian 4WD Association cease
any further promotion of the track until it has satisfactorily resolved the
management issues I mentioned earlier.