Darlington Retirement Accommodation Association (Inc.)

Several members of the Darlington Glen management committee met recently with Kylie Brinfield of the Darlington community garden committee to discuss options regarding the land between the Darlington Glen retirement units and the Darlington community garden.

The DCG committee clearly stated they will strive to be a ‘good neighbour’ and consult fully with the Darlington Glen committee to arrive at a solution that will be acceptable to both parties. Currently there is some confusion as to what is shire land and what is DRAA. Once this has been determined a plan will be jointly prepared that serves the needs of both parties. Issues that will be discussed are the screening options and the most appropriate screening plants to meet the needs of stakeholders. These needs could include the type of screening plants, shrubs and or trees and any other screening materials that could be deemed appropriate. Issues would include size and variety of trees and shrubs taking account of potential fire hazards and maintenance issues.

The Darlington community garden facility occasionally could be used to stage a community event which may create noise or parking issues which could interfere with the peace and ambiance of the Darlington Glen. These issues will be discussed with the DCG to alleviate any problems before they occur.

Colin Merritt | DRAA Committee

Matthew Hughes MLA JP | Member for Kalamunda

In recent weeks there has been much misinformation abounding regarding the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act causing undue anxiety.

As a member of the Cook Labor Government, I am proud that we have passed laws to better protect Western Australia's Aboriginal cultural heritage – the oldest continuous living culture in the world.

Constituents should be aware that it has been unlawful to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage in Western Australia since the early 1970s. That will not change under the updated laws. What will change is a new tiered system –requiring consultation and agreement making with Aboriginal people and providing simpler approval pathways. Where existing approvals are in place (Section 18), no new approval is required.

The updated laws have been shaped by more than five years of extensive consultation, including input from workshops held across Western Australia last year, and more than 200 submissions from, landowners, local government and industry representatives, including WA Farmers Federation and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and Aboriginal people. Western Australia’s laws, and the system based on those laws, are outdated, and needed modernising. The system was not good for Aboriginal people or land users, and it led to incidents like the destruction of irreplaceable cultural artifacts at Juukan Gorge. The new laws introduce a modern framework for the protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage, making the process simpler and fairer.

These new laws prioritise consultation with Aboriginal people about any land use activities that may impact their cultural heritage. It also introduces for the first time a range of activities that are either exempt from needing an approval or only require a streamlined approval that will specifically benefit farmers and pastoralists.

Disclaimer

Everything that land users are already doing now will be permitted under the new laws with exemptions applying for ‘like for like’ activities. All residential properties under 1100 square metres will be exempt from the new laws entirely.

A farmer replacing an existing fence or running livestock on established farms will not require approval. Existing mining activities will not require new approval, but new mining activities will. Maintenance of water, electricity and other property infrastructure will all be exempt and will not require approval. Demolition of a multiple or grouped dwelling and home improvements typically conducted by homeowners will not require approval. When camping tents, campervans, caravans and swags will be exempt. Installing a pool, clearing a tree and building a fence on residential properties, regardless of lot size, will be exempt.

The new laws only apply where there is a risk of harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage. In most cases in the Perth metropolitan area this will not apply – particularly where land has already been disturbed.

Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services (LACHS) will be the designated point of contact with local expertise in their area. More than 20 organisations have already applied for grant funding with intent to become a LACHS, but it is important to note that the new laws do not rely on LACHS being established. Where LACHS don’t exist, Native Title bodies will be able to support the operation of the new laws, just as they have done for decades.

You can find more information about the Act, including the education workshop schedule, FAQs and Fact Sheets, on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) website by contacting DPLH on 08 6551 8002 or email achimplementation@ dplh.wa.gov.au.

The Darlington Review’s Rules of Association (2012) read: “To produce and publish a monthly journal with the intention of fostering good relationships within the Darlington community and keeping residents informed about community issues.” Our Guide for Scribes invites members to submit notes “ to inform members and the Darlington Community about past, ongoing and future activities…”. The Review accepts no liability for errors/omissions contained in articles, statements or advertisements published herein. The views expressed in Letters and Notes are not the views of the Darlington Review and we are not responsible for them. Members are requested to ensure their notes adhere to the magazine’s guiding spirit of fostering harmonious community relationships. The Darlington Review is available in digital format via Issu, the online website.

Darlington Bushfire Ready Group

Am not going to guess what the weather will be like as you read these notes, but winter does seem to be now here. However with some still milder days it does enable us time to get into the garden and bush surrounding our blocks and continue to maintain those lower fuel levels around the house. In doing so it reduces the more dramatic actions required as summer approaches and also enables us to be selective in what to remove or leave to give that 20 metre circle of safety. Removing tree canopy is also easier now, whilst a cooler time.

Many houses are lost to ember attack during a bushfire, in particular if no one is home to defend it from a fire. Embers carried by the wind get into gaps and crevices in the house and may ignite fuel that they land on such as plants close to the building. The more a house and surrounding vegetation is prepared, the better the chance the building will survive a bushfire, even if you have chosen to leave for a safer place. You may even wish, now winter is here, to have a look at those plants which are close to your house, and could be a fire threat, to actually remove them and replace them with ones that are less fire prone. DFES has many excellent publications on its web site... www.dfes.wa.gov.au ... and one of those is ... ”Why we need to manage forest fuel loads in the urban interface zone”. Reducing fuel load around your property may help protect your home from a bushfire next summer.

Also wanting to know about how to prepare for the next fire season and what to do then go to dfes.wa.gov.au/ safetyinformation/fire/bushfire. Is never too early to start preparing your property for the year ahead.

Remember

000 is the ONLY number to ring for all fire and smoke sightings.