Bureaucrats at war over proposed changes to WA marine parks

Extraordinary criticism has been levelled at one of the West Australian government departments responsible for developing two marine parks off the state’s coast.

Plans to create a new South Coast Marine Park (SCMP) between Bremer Bay and the South Australian border and to triple the size of the Marmion Marine Park off Perth have come under fire over a perceived lack of consultation with regional communities and fishing groups.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has also raised questions about the conduct of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and read into state parliament by Opposition Fisheries spokesman Colin de Grussa reveal a string of criticisms from DPIRD officials towards their environmental counterparts, who were accused of failing to take a pragmatic approach to the zoning and boundaries of the new park.

“The current draft zoning scheme will likely result in the loss of several South Coast fisheries and impact on the livelihoods of numerous fishers,” the communication sent in March this year states.

“It is DPIRD’s view that these impacts are not in the community’s best interests and that the impacts can be largely avoided or minimised if DBCA are genuinely serious about … designing the zoning scheme for the SCMP.

“It is not acceptable for people’s lives and livelihoods, food security, recreation, mental health and way of life to be permanently changed by the SCMP without them fully understanding the basis for that change.”

The agencies are working together to develop the park and Fisheries Minister Don Punch and Environment Minister Reece Whitby will have the final say.

“It reveals the level of damage that will be done unless DBCA actually listens to the community in regards to the South Coast Marine Park,” Mr de Grussa said.

“It sounds like [DPIRD is] very, very angry that they’re not being listened to, and they feel the community’s not being listened to either, which comes through very clearly and in all of the comments they have made here.”

‘Asking from day one’

The Western Rock Lobster Council has echoed concerns raised by Mr de Grussa about the DBCA’s approach.

Along with Recfishwest and the WA Fishing Industry Council, the Lobster Council’s chief executive Matt Taylor wrote to DBCA to say that industry bodies had been “misrepresented, disrespected and completely ignored” during the consultation for the Marmion Marine Park.

Mr Taylor, a former Liberal MP, said the government had not provided an update since the start of the year, despite numerous requests that it do so.

He said it felt like the government was working towards a predetermined outcome.

“We’ve been asking from day one for evidence and justification for removing the resource access from our fishers … and to date we’ve received no evidence or justification,” Mr Taylor said.

“This planning process was meant to be based on habitat and biodiversity.”

He said he was not surprised at the difference of opinion between DPIRD and DBCA on the SCMP.

“I think part of the problem is that is DBCA ideologically driven, and DPIRD does its aquatic resource management based on ecosystem, based fisheries management,” Mr Taylor said.

Fisheries Minister Don Punch declined to be interviewed, but in a written statement said a four-month public consultation period on the SCMP would commence next year.

“Mr de Grussa’s comments are inflammatory and premature speculation based on outdated information is unhelpful,” Mr Punch said.

“This is needless fearmongering from the Opposition.”

Environment Minister Reece Whitby also declined an interview, but said a review of the Marmion Marine Park’s borders is long overdue.

He said the consultation process was transparent and had included representation from lobster industry representatives.

“With use expected to increase in the coming years, the state government is committed to updating the park’s outdated management plan,” Mr Whitby said.

“These consultation processes go above and beyond the statutory requirements and all West Australians will have an opportunity to comment on the final draft management plan when it’s released for public comment.”