We may have had a change of government but nothing has changed. It was reported more than 600 species natural to WA are at risk of extinction, why aren't the DEC unit doing their job and giving adequate protection. It could be explained by the environmental regulator who for some reason only manages to prosecute an average of seven individuals or companies each year, from more than 2000 complaints.
.Prosecutions have related to illegal clearing native vegetation, with single prosecutions relating to emissions, noise, discharging waste, oil and slurry and failing to monitor a site. Something I found amazing is the number of field notices 200, how many field notices before prosecution. The shadow minister asked how often the DEC prosecuted another government department for pollution, a classic was the Water Corporation, hoe did they escaped penalty for a spill over 550,000 litres of sewage into the Southern River.
It seems were relying on a department to protect reserves for the preservation of species, yet the DEC is not achieving its target for reservation of land. Why do they lack internal processes, transparency and accountability of the legislated process. A discrepancy has been highlighted between State and Federal threatened species lists that prevented 190 WA species receiving all available protection.
.Mr Gamblin WWF, warned that hundreds of species including the Carnaby's black cockatoo and western ringtail possum were facing extinction. The government gave $4 million for over 4 years, the question is should that be spent on qualified DEC people or the threatened species. How can this department be writing out licenses for companies, are they qualified for such a task!
.Prosecutions have related to illegal clearing native vegetation, with single prosecutions relating to emissions, noise, discharging waste, oil and slurry and failing to monitor a site. Something I found amazing is the number of field notices 200, how many field notices before prosecution. The shadow minister asked how often the DEC prosecuted another government department for pollution, a classic was the Water Corporation, hoe did they escaped penalty for a spill over 550,000 litres of sewage into the Southern River.
It seems were relying on a department to protect reserves for the preservation of species, yet the DEC is not achieving its target for reservation of land. Why do they lack internal processes, transparency and accountability of the legislated process. A discrepancy has been highlighted between State and Federal threatened species lists that prevented 190 WA species receiving all available protection.
.Mr Gamblin WWF, warned that hundreds of species including the Carnaby's black cockatoo and western ringtail possum were facing extinction. The government gave $4 million for over 4 years, the question is should that be spent on qualified DEC people or the threatened species. How can this department be writing out licenses for companies, are they qualified for such a task!
