STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms CHANEY (Curtin) (13:30): Matilda Bay is one of the most loved places in my electorate. It's where families spend summer afternoons and where people swim and walk along the foreshore. It's also where Sailability runs the largest program of its kind, supporting 1,500 people on the water each year.

For many, it's a rare experience of real freedom. Dragon boats train there; sailing clubs and university clubs have been there for decades. They all need calm water and a safe way to get people from the shore into a boat.

It isn't as simple as just moving that somewhere else. The bay is a place of deep and continuing significance to Whadjuk Noongar people. It's also an important habitat for wildlife, including the iconic black swan, now under severe threat from bird flu.

My community has serious concerns about the proposed ferry, particularly the inadequate consultation. Good projects are strengthened by community input, not weakened by it. There's an application now before the Minister for the Environment and Water seeking protection under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

That process will look at the particular significance of this place, the nature of the threat to it and what protection it needs—a decision expected before the end of the year with published reasons. This process needs to run properly. It's an opportunity to consider afresh the special qualities of this place.

Matilda Bay is worth the time it takes to get it right.