Mr. Redman questions the fairness of water license fees for South West communities, arguing they disproportionately shoulder the burden despite investing in water infrastructure. Minister Kobelke dismisses the concern, stating the fees are reasonable and necessary under the National Water Initiative.

AnsweredQoN 448Legislative Assembly
Asked
5 September 2007
Portfolio
Water Resources

QuestionView source ↗

WATER LICENCE FEES
I have a supplementary question. Why does the minister continue to insist that south west communities should shoulder an unreasonable share of the fee burden, when they have invested considerable funds in infrastructure that supports not only their own businesses, but also the sustainability of the state’s fruit and vegetable industry? Mr J.C. KOBELKE

AnswerView source ↗

If the member actually thinks about what he said in that question, he will realise it is nonsense. If the payment of a few hundred dollars a year will threaten the viability of an industry, it really is on its knees. If the member looks at what their competitors in other states pay, he will see that it is far more than the licence management fee that we are suggesting is fair and reasonable and, under the National Water Initiative, we are required to charge.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: If the member actually thinks about what he said in that question, he will realise it is nonsense. If the payment of a few hundred dollars a year will threaten the viability of an industry, it really is on its knees. If the member looks at what their competitors in other states pay, he will see that it is far more than the licence management fee that we are suggesting is fair and reasonable and, under the National Water Initiative, we are required to charge.
If the member actually thinks about what he said in that question, he will realise it is nonsense. If the payment of a few hundred dollars a year will threaten the viability of an industry, it really is on its knees. If the member looks at what their competitors in other states pay, he will see that it is far more than the licence management fee that we are suggesting is fair and reasonable and, under the National Water Initiative, we are required to charge.

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