Mr Laurie Ferguson asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 9 February 1999:

(1) What specific requirements must State Governments meet to be eligible to receive funding for revegetation schemes under the Natural Heritage Trust.

(2) Has the Western Australian Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Cheryl Edwardes, (a) sought funding to purchase 870 hectares of land near Mt Lesueur National Park for revegetation purposes and (b) approved the owner's application to clear the land.

(3) How many land clearing plans submitted by farmers have been approved by the WA Government since February 1998 and in what general locations are they.

(4) Is the Minister satisfied with the State Government's handling of the matters referred to in the preceding parts; if not, what action will the Minister take.

Mr Vaile (Trade) —The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) All proponents must apply in accordance with the published `NHT Guide to new applications 1999-2000.'

(2) (a) In April 1998, the Western Australian Department of Environmental Protection submitted an application under the Natural Heritage Trust for funding support to acquire 1220 hectares of land for inclusion in the national reserve system.

(2) (b) On 22 December 1998, the Western Australian Minister for the Environment approved, on appeal, the property owner's application to clear 870 hectares on condition that:

(i) 335 hectares be retained and protected on a Legal Agreement to Reserve with the Western Australian Commissioner for Soil Conservation; and

(ii) the largest area of the property adjacent to Mt Lesueur National Park (285 hectares) be established on a separate title of land.

(3) This is a State matter and information on the number of plans would need to be sought from the Western Australian Government.

(4) I have written to the Western Australian Minister for the Environment stressing my concern at the appeal decision and seeking advice on the impact on other properties in the Mt Lesueur area. I also expressed concern at an apparent weakening in commitment to improving mechanisms to control land clearing for the purposes of biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management.