Agreement on land for proposed Kalgoorlie industrial park

Negotiations between the Western Australian Government and pastoralists have cleared the way for the acquisition of a parcel of land at Mungari for Kalgoorlie-Boulder's proposed new industrial park.

Deputy Premier and Goldfields Minister Ian Taylor said today solicitors for the State Government's land development arm, Landcorp, were currently preparing a formal agreement with the owner of Mungari Station, Mr Bernie Scanlon, which will allow a site to be secured for the proposed industrial purpose.

"The agreement now being prepared will ensure the land mapped out for the proposed heavy industry site will be available should other clearances be confirmed," Mr Taylor said.

Agreement had also been reached in principle with the owner of neighbouring Mt Burges Station.

Mr Taylor said the Department of State Development was preparing a consultative environmental review on the site for Landcorp.

A soil sampling program was underway on an area of approximately 750ha, which straddles the Mungari and Mt Burges Station boundaries.  A flora and fauna survey and a preliminary engineering assessment to address infrastructure, drainage and place a conceptual structure plan over the area were also underway.

A detailed report on an Aboriginal site survey was also being prepared.

"The work now being carried out at Mungari and Mt Burges has also provided a valuable employment opportunity for a number of Aboriginal people in the Goldfields," Mr Taylor said.

"I am delighted that Aboriginal assistants are being employed where possible by consultants working on both the flora and fauna study and the soil sampling exercise being undertaken by the mining tenement holder.

"At Mungari, it is a case of practising what we preach in terms of boosting Aboriginal employment levels."

Mr Taylor said the Mungari Industrial Park project was on schedule.  Approval will be finalised following a public review period early in 1993.