Question On Notice No. 327 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 25 November 2021 by Ms M.J. Davies
Question Directed to the: Minister for Planning
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the Anstey-Keane Damplands and the broader Forrestdale Lake Reserve region, and I ask:
(a) On how many occasions have you, in your capacity as a Minister, visited the damplands;
(b) On how many occasions have you been invited to visit the damplands:
(i) Who invited you and what was their organisation;
(c) On how many occasions have you met with any community groups, businesses or landowners to discuss the damplands? Please provide a breakdown of:
(i) The names of the community group, business or landowner;
(ii) The meeting dates and times for each meeting;
(iii) The meeting locations; and
(iv) Who attended those meetings;
(d) Have you corresponded directly with the WA Planning Commission in relation to the damplands? If yes:
(i) What dates did the correspondence occur;
(ii) What was the subject heading of the correspondence;
(iii) Did you receive a response; and
(iv) How was the matter resolved or is it an ongoing issue;
(e) In relation to compulsory acquisition of property for the damplands or Forrestdale Lake Reserve and to the best of your knowledge:
(i) How many attempts were made to purchase the property prior to compulsory acquisition;
(ii) What was the justification for the compulsory acquisition;
(iii) Have you received any complaints or concerns in relation to the compulsory acquisition process from the original landholders;
(iv) Are there any properties still undergoing the compulsory acquisition process;
(v) Please list the properties compulsorily in the vicinity of the Anstey-Keane damplands;
(vi) What is the total amount of money that has been spent to date in relation to property acquisition, whether compulsory or purchased through available funds, for the damplands;
(vii) Have you met with families or businesses who owned land which has since been compulsorily acquired;
(viii) Since the acquisition of land, what works have been undertaken to ensure the properties are protected or remediated and what was the cost for these processes; and
(ix) Is the Minister aware of complaints by landowners that they were not fairly compensated and the properties, since acquisition, have deteriorated due to inadequate fencing and management; and
(f) Have you raised any concerns directly with the following in relation to development or compulsory acquisition around the damplands:
(i) WA Planning Commission;
(ii) Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage;
(iii) Department of Premier and Cabinet;
(iv) Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions;
(v) Department of Finance;
(vi) City of Armadale;
(vii) Urban Bush Council of WA;
(viii) The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands; and
(ix) The Member for Southern River?
Answered on 15 February 2022
(a)-(f)
The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has advised that over a period of 20 years, numerous attempts have been made to purchase Lot 67 Skeet Road, Forrestdale and Lot 171 Skeet and Ranford Roads, Forrestdale.
Both lots contained high levels of intrinsic flora and fauna habitats, and acquisition completed the land assembly for the Anstey-Keane wetland, a Bush Forever site.
Both claims for compensation are yet to be resolved. To date, the WAPC has made advance payments totalling approximately $5.9 million.