❓ A WA parliamentary question challenges the ban on highly soluble phosphate fertiliser based on new research, and questions consideration of engineering solutions for salinity and drainage in the Swan River.
AnsweredQoN 915Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SWAN RIVER - HIGHLY SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE FERTILISER BAN 915. Hon ANTHONY FELS to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment: (1) Given the current research by University of Western Australia marine science honours student Jessica Harris showing that phosphate and nitrogen run-off have almost no impact on the health of the Swan River, will the minister lift the ban on highly soluble phosphate fertiliser, reducing hardship to farmers? (2) Has the minister given proper consideration to engineering solutions that prevent saline sea water flowing upstream; and, if not, why not? (3) Has the minister given proper consideration to the deep drainage of wheatbelt flood plains to improve the flow of water into our rivers; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
SWAN RIVER - HIGHLY SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE FERTILISER BAN
(1) Given the current research by University of Western Australia marine science honours student Jessica Harris showing that phosphate and nitrogen run-off have almost no impact on the health of the Swan River, will the minister lift the ban on highly soluble phosphate fertiliser, reducing hardship to farmers? (2) Has the minister given proper consideration to engineering solutions that prevent saline sea water flowing upstream; and, if not, why not? (3) Has the minister given proper consideration to the deep drainage of wheatbelt flood plains to improve the flow of water into our rivers; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(2) Has the minister given proper consideration to engineering solutions that prevent saline sea water flowing upstream; and, if not, why not? (3) Has the minister given proper consideration to the deep drainage of wheatbelt flood plains to improve the flow of water into our rivers; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(3) Has the minister given proper consideration to the deep drainage of wheatbelt flood plains to improve the flow of water into our rivers; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
SWAN RIVER - HIGHLY SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE FERTILISER BAN
(1) Given the current research by University of Western Australia marine science honours student Jessica Harris showing that phosphate and nitrogen run-off have almost no impact on the health of the Swan River, will the minister lift the ban on highly soluble phosphate fertiliser, reducing hardship to farmers? (2) Has the minister given proper consideration to engineering solutions that prevent saline sea water flowing upstream; and, if not, why not? (3) Has the minister given proper consideration to the deep drainage of wheatbelt flood plains to improve the flow of water into our rivers; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(2) Has the minister given proper consideration to engineering solutions that prevent saline sea water flowing upstream; and, if not, why not? (3) Has the minister given proper consideration to the deep drainage of wheatbelt flood plains to improve the flow of water into our rivers; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(3) Has the minister given proper consideration to the deep drainage of wheatbelt flood plains to improve the flow of water into our rivers; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(1) The “Fertiliser Action Plan” is based on many years of work by scientists in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water, and Agriculture and Food. It is also backed by the current global scientific understanding that reducing nutrients continues to be a major strategy for improving water quality of rivers and estuaries. It would be unwise and inappropriate to change the “Fertiliser Action Plan” in response to a media article on one piece of research. (2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(2) Saline seawater flow into the Swan and Canning estuary is a natural process. We in fact increased this saltwater exchange by removing the rock bar at Fremantle Harbour in the late 1800s, and now there are many important marine organisms that rely on the saline water. As part of the “Healthy Rivers Action Plan”, we will call for expressions of interest for research into innovative solutions to improve water quality and quantity. (3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
(3) The Swan River Trust, with the Department of Water, has started a study to better understand the level of flow required to maintain the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers under different climate change scenarios. Deep drainage from the wheatbelt is being looked at in detail by the Department of Water, but it must be very carefully managed to deal with issues such as increased transport of nutrients, sediments, acid waters and heavy metals into the Swan River.
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