Intelligence dictates that an entity that in reality is non-existent cannot feel, see or be.

It cannot therefore be scared nor can it have a home.

What sort of country is this?

I think we all know where we are headed.

(See ‘Why Noongar people revere Wagyl waterways’, digital edition Page 12 – Ed.)

There, Bunnings and the Men’s Shed work with cat owners for such enclosures.

This could be done also in Toodyay.

We have a cat catcher, and some neighbours are upset that their free-roaming cat (which “always stays home”, we are told) has been caught and handed over to the ranger.

Cat owners must ensure their cats are not outside the entrance door.

Homeowners are to have no more than three cats, but some have more.

Any cat, not just feral cats, is a killer.

Millions of native animals have been devastated in Australia.

Feral cats and any free-roaming cat from houses and farms are not permitted in reserves and parks.

Do they know the law, do they care?

No.
They enter, live, reproduce and kill small animals and birds in those areas.

Sterilisation of cats also has no impact as cats, feral or house cats, still kill.

It’s their instinct, their nature.

A friend insisted on training her cat to become a vegetarian.

At night the cat roamed for her proper food – not in the house fridge, as you can imagine.

The best cat is one indoors, in a cat-friendly enclosure.

People need to become environmentally responsible and aware their furry darlings are more than sweet pussy cats.

The Uluru Statement was published in May 2017 after a four-day gathering of more than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in Central Australia.

The purpose of a national referendum is to give recognition to Aboriginal people in the Australian Constitution.

This is to give them a voice on issues facing Aboriginal people to do with health, housing, the environment, culture and self-determination.

It has nothing to do with a republic, Aboriginal sovereignty or a treaty.

After speaking to Tony personally about his court case, my impression was that this is a dispute between neighbours.

Tony doesn’t appear to have a problem with Aboriginal people, the Waugul or the law.

His claim is merely that he wasn’t aware of the law or the required planning process before he upgraded his creek crossing to gain year-around access to his house.

The planning process involves an application to the WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, who is not an Aboriginal person.

I hope this clears up this issue and that the residents of Toodyay, who are currently at the forefront for reconciliation in Western Australia, will not lose their status.

Online information about the upcoming referendum can be found on the Reconciliation Australia website at www.reconciliation.org.au.

This Plan has five core pillars:

1. Race relations, building two-way relationships, based on trust and respect.
2. Equality and equity.
3. Institutional integrity.
4. Unity.
5. Historical acceptance.

It is interesting to note that Rio Tinto’s Plan was revoked after their mishandling of the Juukan Gorge fiasco.

Bit players in this drama are Dame Nature, a mythical creature of Western culture, held responsible for ‘fire and flood and famine, for drought and flooding rains’.

The opposite number is the Wagyl, equally mythical, reputed to be the custodian of water.
The Wagyl is supported by Planning, Lands Heritage, a State Government initiative whose powers can override freehold land title.

It all adds up to a chorus of conflict, not seen to be remedied by yet more legislation.

Some comments bordered on offensive, there was scaremongering about the proposed Voice to Parliament, and others mocked the spiritual significance to Aboriginal people of the Wagyl – the mythical Dreamtime serpent that is said to have formed the Avon River.

Those commenting would no doubt be aware that all cultures and religions – including Christianity – have a spiritual and mythological ‘supreme being’.

All have historical sites and sacred stories handed down through countless generations.

As for State laws, those professionally dealing in property would be in an informed position – more than most – to check regulations as a matter of course.

In regard to waterways, any unplanned development can restrict the natural flow of the river and have environmental impact.

It’s not just a heritage matter.

In my view, heritage laws – be they for Aboriginal people or early settlers – and environment (for bushland and waterways) should always be considered as a matter of course in any proposed development.

During my time working in WA’s North-West, Aboriginal heritage law was understood and acted upon for developments associated with mining, pastoral, land and main roads.

Section 17 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act states that it is an offence to excavate, destroy, damage, conceal or alter an Aboriginal site.

To help people understand their legal obligations, the State Government published Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Guidelines.

The guidelines are particularly helpful when considering the potential impact to Aboriginal heritage and the nature and level of that impact, and is available at www.wa.gov.au.

The richness of the mineral deposits seems to be around 10 per cent of the ore to be extracted.

The sludge from the processing would be extremely toxic and would have to be securely dammed to prevent contamination of waterways and coastal aquifers.

There could possibly be court action from neighbouring properties for airborne pollution of their drinking water from their roofs.

Wildlife would have difficulty in suing the company.

Esperance had a problem a few years ago, with birds falling out of the sky because of lax handling of lead concentrates.

There is credence for the mining in that their minerals will help to decarbonise and ameliorate global warming.

In the business of removing carbon dioxide, the Julimar Conservation Park is doing a valuable job in this regard and will continue to do so regardless of the world’s monetary systems.

The most valuable mineral deposits seem to be on private land and could go ahead if the problems stated above are securely managed and enforced.

Chalice seems hell-bent on getting mining in Julimar Conservation Park, which is not their property and never should be.

I have lived next to Julimar Forest since 1996 and have been encouraged by the re-establishment of endangered species within.

Chalice could wipe out all this good work.

To our listeners, it’s been a long road of learning for all the team and we hope you have enjoyed the ride.

Special acknowledgment to Bethan Lloyd for her support and never-say-die attitude, and Ken Stivey for his love of rock and dedication to perfection.

And to Mark Greenway.

I roped you in to help set up the radio and, due to unforeseen circumstances, you ended up running the whole show.

It’s been one of my proudest moments, working alongside you all.

Well done guys –thank you.

The lights went out on Sunday February 5.

That’s all, folks.