❓ Question regarding private bore applications in the south west Yarragadee aquifer. Minister refutes claims of a 'headlong rush' and highlights existing water availability, licensing procedures, and the importance of water management in light of climate change.
AnsweredQoN 91Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
YARRAGADEE AQUIFER - PRIVATE BORES
Given the mounting scientific and community concern over the government’s headlong rush to take up 45 gigalitres of water from the south west Yarragadee, can the minister confirm that the Department of Water is rejecting all applications for private bores in the south west Yarragadee pending the government’s final decision on the Yarragadee proposal? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
Given the mounting scientific and community concern over the government’s headlong rush to take up 45 gigalitres of water from the south west Yarragadee, can the minister confirm that the Department of Water is rejecting all applications for private bores in the south west Yarragadee pending the government’s final decision on the Yarragadee proposal? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
The first part of the question is clearly inaccurate. I do not know how the member can call four years of scientific study a headlong rush when a decision has not been made. The member for Stirling must consider the facts of the matter. A large amount of water in the south west is already available for licensing. There are restrictions in some areas, because there is a range of different aquifers. Dealing with the environmental standards that must be met is not the Department of Water’s primary purpose. That is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of the Environment. The Department of Water is clearly responsible for the allocation of water through licences and for the monitoring of those licences. It will seek to meet those responsibilities in the most equitable way. I had hoped that members opposite would have come on board on this issue. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, members of the opposition said that the government was beating up the water issue. They said that there was no problem with water and that the issue was a political beat-up. Having changed their views, they are now not dealing with the facts. The facts are that there is ample scientific evidence to show that climate change in our drying climate will put more pressure on our water resources. As a result, we must ensure that proper management is in place, which is what the government is moving to ensure. On the basis of proper management, we will seek to ensure that there is an equitable allocation of that water to users in the south west. However, we cannot escape the fact that in some areas, water is in short supply. We need to ensure that that water is used as efficiently as possible.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: The first part of the question is clearly inaccurate. I do not know how the member can call four years of scientific study a headlong rush when a decision has not been made. The member for Stirling must consider the facts of the matter. A large amount of water in the south west is already available for licensing. There are restrictions in some areas, because there is a range of different aquifers. Dealing with the environmental standards that must be met is not the Department of Water’s primary purpose. That is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of the Environment. The Department of Water is clearly responsible for the allocation of water through licences and for the monitoring of those licences. It will seek to meet those responsibilities in the most equitable way. I had hoped that members opposite would have come on board on this issue. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, members of the opposition said that the government was beating up the water issue. They said that there was no problem with water and that the issue was a political beat-up. Having changed their views, they are now not dealing with the facts. The facts are that there is ample scientific evidence to show that climate change in our drying climate will put more pressure on our water resources. As a result, we must ensure that proper management is in place, which is what the government is moving to ensure. On the basis of proper management, we will seek to ensure that there is an equitable allocation of that water to users in the south west. However, we cannot escape the fact that in some areas, water is in short supply. We need to ensure that that water is used as efficiently as possible.
The first part of the question is clearly inaccurate. I do not know how the member can call four years of scientific study a headlong rush when a decision has not been made. The member for Stirling must consider the facts of the matter. A large amount of water in the south west is already available for licensing. There are restrictions in some areas, because there is a range of different aquifers. Dealing with the environmental standards that must be met is not the Department of Water’s primary purpose. That is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of the Environment. The Department of Water is clearly responsible for the allocation of water through licences and for the monitoring of those licences. It will seek to meet those responsibilities in the most equitable way. I had hoped that members opposite would have come on board on this issue. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, members of the opposition said that the government was beating up the water issue. They said that there was no problem with water and that the issue was a political beat-up. Having changed their views, they are now not dealing with the facts. The facts are that there is ample scientific evidence to show that climate change in our drying climate will put more pressure on our water resources. As a result, we must ensure that proper management is in place, which is what the government is moving to ensure. On the basis of proper management, we will seek to ensure that there is an equitable allocation of that water to users in the south west. However, we cannot escape the fact that in some areas, water is in short supply. We need to ensure that that water is used as efficiently as possible.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: The first part of the question is clearly inaccurate. I do not know how the member can call four years of scientific study a headlong rush when a decision has not been made. The member for Stirling must consider the facts of the matter. A large amount of water in the south west is already available for licensing. There are restrictions in some areas, because there is a range of different aquifers. Dealing with the environmental standards that must be met is not the Department of Water’s primary purpose. That is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of the Environment. The Department of Water is clearly responsible for the allocation of water through licences and for the monitoring of those licences. It will seek to meet those responsibilities in the most equitable way. I had hoped that members opposite would have come on board on this issue. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, members of the opposition said that the government was beating up the water issue. They said that there was no problem with water and that the issue was a political beat-up. Having changed their views, they are now not dealing with the facts. The facts are that there is ample scientific evidence to show that climate change in our drying climate will put more pressure on our water resources. As a result, we must ensure that proper management is in place, which is what the government is moving to ensure. On the basis of proper management, we will seek to ensure that there is an equitable allocation of that water to users in the south west. However, we cannot escape the fact that in some areas, water is in short supply. We need to ensure that that water is used as efficiently as possible.
The first part of the question is clearly inaccurate. I do not know how the member can call four years of scientific study a headlong rush when a decision has not been made. The member for Stirling must consider the facts of the matter. A large amount of water in the south west is already available for licensing. There are restrictions in some areas, because there is a range of different aquifers. Dealing with the environmental standards that must be met is not the Department of Water’s primary purpose. That is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of the Environment. The Department of Water is clearly responsible for the allocation of water through licences and for the monitoring of those licences. It will seek to meet those responsibilities in the most equitable way. I had hoped that members opposite would have come on board on this issue. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, members of the opposition said that the government was beating up the water issue. They said that there was no problem with water and that the issue was a political beat-up. Having changed their views, they are now not dealing with the facts. The facts are that there is ample scientific evidence to show that climate change in our drying climate will put more pressure on our water resources. As a result, we must ensure that proper management is in place, which is what the government is moving to ensure. On the basis of proper management, we will seek to ensure that there is an equitable allocation of that water to users in the south west. However, we cannot escape the fact that in some areas, water is in short supply. We need to ensure that that water is used as efficiently as possible.
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