Question On Notice No. 482 asked in the Legislative Council on 1 November 2017 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to a letter, apparently dated dated 22 December 2015, signed by Bill Marmion MLA, Minister for Mines addressed to Mr Mark Kerr, Chairman Hawthorn Resources Ltd titled "Anglo Saxon Mining Proposal Reg ID 55921", and ask:
(a) is it correct the above referred to letter in part states "It is my understanding that the assessment is currently on hold pending written consent being obtained from the Pastoralist at Pinjin Station to conduct mining activities with buffer distances from pastoral infrastructure as specified in section 20(5) of the Mining Act 1978";
(b) if no to (a), what is specifically correct in terms of what was stated in the above referred to letter;
(c) can the Minister explain why the former Minister for Mines wrote to Hawthorn Resources specifically stating that the assessment was on hold pending written consent being obtained from the Pastoralist Station to conduct mining activities within the buffer distances from pastoral infrastructure in section 20(5) of the Mining Act 1978;
(d) if no to (c), why not;
(e) are Hawthorn Resources Ltd authorized under the Mining Act 1978 to destroy, alter and damage yards/stockyards, water piping located both below and above the ground supplying occupied buildings with people residing and living in the buildings, fencing on the common reserve 10041 belonging to the Pinjin station, some of which has existed in one form or another for nearly 70 years;
(f) if yes to (e), why; and
(g) if no to (e), why not and which specific sections of the Mining Act 1978 prevent this?
Answered on 6 December 2017
(a) The letter referenced is for Mining Proposal Reg ID 55291, not Reg ID 55921.
Yes
(b) Not applicable
(c) The letter of the former Minister is explanatory in nature on the rationale at the time.
(d) Not applicable
(e) No
(f) Not applicable
(g) Section 20(5) of the Mining Act 1978 protects certain Crown land, which includes land reserved as Common and pastoral lease land.