Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) in 1964 the Commonwealth Government transferred the Point Peron area to the Western Australian State Government subject to agreement that its future use was restricted to a reserve for public recreation and parklands, reiterating in 1968 That the land must not be used for private industrial, commercial or residential development,

(ii) the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority gave conditional approval to the Mangles Bay Marina project in Cape Peron on 29 April 2013 adjacent to a protected freshwater lake containing one of the only surviving thrombolite communities in Western Australia, and

(iii) 8 000 signatures opposing the Point Peron Marina development were submitted to the Western Australian Parliament on Tuesday, 14 May 2013; and

(b) calls on the Government to insist That the Western Australian Government honour its 1964 commitment regarding the use of the land and reject development of this pristine area.

I seek leave to make a brief statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I indicate at this stage that I will not seek to call a division on this motion. This motion is about a place that the people of Rockingham, who have been stepping up in its defence, believe is too precious to lose. That, of course, is Point Peron, which is under threat by the state government—of all people—who are the proponents for a completely inappropriate marina. I particularly want to acknowledge Dawn Jecks, who has campaigned tirelessly for the values of Point Peron on behalf of the whole community.

Point Peron was granted back to the state from the Commonwealth in 1964 on the provision that it be protected in perpetuity as public recreation and parklands. Depending on the way this vote goes, I suspect we will see the two old parties voting down a very simple motion that that commitment be upheld. It is quite clear that the Greens are the only ones left who are standing up for places like Point Peron, which we know is too precious to lose. I am proud to stand up with the community of Rockingham in the defence of this place.

Question negatived.