❓ Mr Waldron asks about the future of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program and proposes a task force to address sewerage issues. Minister Kobelke acknowledges the issue, explains the program's status, and expresses openness to the task force idea after reviewing the Water Corporation's report.
AnsweredQoN 121Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SEWERAGE SCHEME - SMALL COUNTRY TOWN S PILOT PROGRAM
Before I ask my question, further to the Premier wishing good luck to our Australian Football League teams, more importantly, I wish the Speaker’s parliamentary cricket team good luck. It will do battle with the press over the next couple of days. I am sure it will do well. Given that the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program is about to be scrapped due to high costs, I ask - (1) Will the minister give consideration to establishing a parliamentary task force or working group to examine alternative ways to deal with the looming sewerage-related health crisis in several country towns? (2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
Before I ask my question, further to the Premier wishing good luck to our Australian Football League teams, more importantly, I wish the Speaker’s parliamentary cricket team good luck. It will do battle with the press over the next couple of days. I am sure it will do well. Given that the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program is about to be scrapped due to high costs, I ask - (1) Will the minister give consideration to establishing a parliamentary task force or working group to examine alternative ways to deal with the looming sewerage-related health crisis in several country towns? (2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Given that the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program is about to be scrapped due to high costs, I ask - (1) Will the minister give consideration to establishing a parliamentary task force or working group to examine alternative ways to deal with the looming sewerage-related health crisis in several country towns? (2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
(1) Will the minister give consideration to establishing a parliamentary task force or working group to examine alternative ways to deal with the looming sewerage-related health crisis in several country towns? (2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
(2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
(1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Given that the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program is about to be scrapped due to high costs, I ask - (1) Will the minister give consideration to establishing a parliamentary task force or working group to examine alternative ways to deal with the looming sewerage-related health crisis in several country towns? (2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
(1) Will the minister give consideration to establishing a parliamentary task force or working group to examine alternative ways to deal with the looming sewerage-related health crisis in several country towns? (2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
(2) Will the minister consider providing such a task force with the resources to look at how other states are dealing with small town sewage disposal issues and the recycling of waste water for small local projects such as parks, gardens and ovals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
That is a very good question, and I intend to try to answer it so that we can go forward on this. However, I also use this opportunity to wish both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers well, and the parliamentary cricket team. (1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
(1)-(2) The member for Wagin, along with the member for Merredin, came to see me with a delegation of people from Kondinin, because Kondinin was one of the towns that was on the list to be part of the small country towns sewerage scheme pilot program. As the title indicates, it is a pilot program. It was suggested in 2000, but it was in only about 2003 that we kicked it off in Kulin. The work in Kulin has now been completed. When I became the minister responsible a couple of years ago, work was about to start in the town of Tambellup. However, because of the rising costs, the Water Corporation was not sure whether the work in that town would go ahead. However, I said that we should at least complete the work in two towns before the review was undertaken. I think it was suggested earlier that work would be done in many more towns. However, the cost has increased significantly. The work in Tambellup is almost finished. Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr P.D. Omodei : What about Kondinin? Why could you do the work in Kulin and Hyden but you cannot do the work in Kondinin? The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is not the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Does he not have any respect for any members in this house? It is a genuine question from the member, and I will answer it, Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
The SPEAKER : The member for Wagin asked the question on behalf of the National Party. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will enjoy hearing the answer at the end of the day. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : As I said, it is a pilot program. It was seeking to find innovative ways by which sewerage services could be provided to small country towns in a cost-competitive way. That is proving to be a real challenge. As the member hinted in the introduction to his question, the review will take place, and I will get the results about midyear. However, the numbers are not looking too good. No decision has been made. The problem is clearly with the cost going up to $25 000 a lot to provide sewerage according to the required standards. That is starting to look like it will be a real problem. The member suggested in his question that perhaps we could put in place a task force to look at that. I think that is a suggestion that has merit. However, at this stage I believe it is appropriate that we wait for the Water Corporation to come back with its review, because the work of such a task force would not be to look at the technical information, which the Water Corporation could do; its task would really be to look at a much bigger picture, because part of the cost comes back to environmental and health standards. There would need to be community consultation to gain a much wider view of whether those things form part of the obstacles. The task force would also need to look at the contribution local communities can make. I believe that a task force comprising members of Parliament, or another small group, could look at that and might be able to advance those issues. I accept the genuine nature of the question and the real interest that the member for Wagin and other members have in small country towns. I also want to see what we can do. I will take the interjection. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr M.W. Trenorden : Minister, you need to know that, near Northam, there are three places where raw sewage is going into the Avon River, which becomes the Swan River. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That is the issue that was raised with me by the Kondinin people with regard to Hyden. That certainly causes me concern. I respect the very positive approach being taken by the member who asked the question to see what we can do about it. I am certainly willing to take up discussions with the member when I have the report from the Water Corporation midyear to see how we can look at the issue in a different way to try to deal with what is a real issue in a number of country towns.
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