❓ The Premier outlines WA's water strategy and seeks Commonwealth funding for key projects like the Yarragadee aquifer and Wellington Dam, highlighting past inaction by the previous government.
AnsweredQoN 527Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER ISSUES - COMMONWEALTH SUPPORT
Can the Premier please explain to the house how the commonwealth can help Western Australia tackle the ongoing water issues facing this state? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
Can the Premier please explain to the house how the commonwealth can help Western Australia tackle the ongoing water issues facing this state? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question. Despite some very timely rainfall in recent weeks, Australia is experiencing one of its driest winters ever. Fortunately, the diverse water strategy that the state government embarked upon some time ago has helped avoid the need for total sprinkler bans in the metropolitan area. The Kwinana desalination plant, which is due to come on stream within the next few months, is one of the key projects that will help alleviate water shortages. It has the capacity to deliver 45 gigalitres into our integrated system. We have to continue to look for new and innovative ways of providing water. That is why the Harvey water trading project, of which we are in the process of bidding for commonwealth funding, the Kwinana water reclamation project and the aquifer recharge research are also important. Western Australia is also now part of the National Water Initiative, by which the federal government can provide funds to our major water projects. The Prime Minister recently wrote to me seeking nominations for significant and iconic projects that would be eligible for funding. I responded on Tuesday by nominating the south west Yarragadee aquifer and the Wellington Dam. Work on the development of the south west Yarragadee aquifer is well advanced, with Environmental Protection Authority advice and a government decision expected before the end of this year. In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be explored, including - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question. Despite some very timely rainfall in recent weeks, Australia is experiencing one of its driest winters ever. Fortunately, the diverse water strategy that the state government embarked upon some time ago has helped avoid the need for total sprinkler bans in the metropolitan area. The Kwinana desalination plant, which is due to come on stream within the next few months, is one of the key projects that will help alleviate water shortages. It has the capacity to deliver 45 gigalitres into our integrated system. We have to continue to look for new and innovative ways of providing water. That is why the Harvey water trading project, of which we are in the process of bidding for commonwealth funding, the Kwinana water reclamation project and the aquifer recharge research are also important. Western Australia is also now part of the National Water Initiative, by which the federal government can provide funds to our major water projects. The Prime Minister recently wrote to me seeking nominations for significant and iconic projects that would be eligible for funding. I responded on Tuesday by nominating the south west Yarragadee aquifer and the Wellington Dam. Work on the development of the south west Yarragadee aquifer is well advanced, with Environmental Protection Authority advice and a government decision expected before the end of this year. In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be explored, including - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question. Despite some very timely rainfall in recent weeks, Australia is experiencing one of its driest winters ever. Fortunately, the diverse water strategy that the state government embarked upon some time ago has helped avoid the need for total sprinkler bans in the metropolitan area. The Kwinana desalination plant, which is due to come on stream within the next few months, is one of the key projects that will help alleviate water shortages. It has the capacity to deliver 45 gigalitres into our integrated system. We have to continue to look for new and innovative ways of providing water. That is why the Harvey water trading project, of which we are in the process of bidding for commonwealth funding, the Kwinana water reclamation project and the aquifer recharge research are also important. Western Australia is also now part of the National Water Initiative, by which the federal government can provide funds to our major water projects. The Prime Minister recently wrote to me seeking nominations for significant and iconic projects that would be eligible for funding. I responded on Tuesday by nominating the south west Yarragadee aquifer and the Wellington Dam. Work on the development of the south west Yarragadee aquifer is well advanced, with Environmental Protection Authority advice and a government decision expected before the end of this year. In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be explored, including - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question. Despite some very timely rainfall in recent weeks, Australia is experiencing one of its driest winters ever. Fortunately, the diverse water strategy that the state government embarked upon some time ago has helped avoid the need for total sprinkler bans in the metropolitan area. The Kwinana desalination plant, which is due to come on stream within the next few months, is one of the key projects that will help alleviate water shortages. It has the capacity to deliver 45 gigalitres into our integrated system. We have to continue to look for new and innovative ways of providing water. That is why the Harvey water trading project, of which we are in the process of bidding for commonwealth funding, the Kwinana water reclamation project and the aquifer recharge research are also important. Western Australia is also now part of the National Water Initiative, by which the federal government can provide funds to our major water projects. The Prime Minister recently wrote to me seeking nominations for significant and iconic projects that would be eligible for funding. I responded on Tuesday by nominating the south west Yarragadee aquifer and the Wellington Dam. Work on the development of the south west Yarragadee aquifer is well advanced, with Environmental Protection Authority advice and a government decision expected before the end of this year. In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be explored, including - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question. Despite some very timely rainfall in recent weeks, Australia is experiencing one of its driest winters ever. Fortunately, the diverse water strategy that the state government embarked upon some time ago has helped avoid the need for total sprinkler bans in the metropolitan area. The Kwinana desalination plant, which is due to come on stream within the next few months, is one of the key projects that will help alleviate water shortages. It has the capacity to deliver 45 gigalitres into our integrated system. We have to continue to look for new and innovative ways of providing water. That is why the Harvey water trading project, of which we are in the process of bidding for commonwealth funding, the Kwinana water reclamation project and the aquifer recharge research are also important. Western Australia is also now part of the National Water Initiative, by which the federal government can provide funds to our major water projects. The Prime Minister recently wrote to me seeking nominations for significant and iconic projects that would be eligible for funding. I responded on Tuesday by nominating the south west Yarragadee aquifer and the Wellington Dam. Work on the development of the south west Yarragadee aquifer is well advanced, with Environmental Protection Authority advice and a government decision expected before the end of this year. In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be explored, including - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In relation to Wellington Dam, a range of options could be expected, including desalination. The development of this dam could result in sustainable irrigation, a regional industrial water supply and the potential to supply Perth with an additional 50 gigalitres. Work on Wellington Dam is in its early stages but, with federal government help and private sector involvement, it could provide unique benefits to the state and the nation in the areas of conservation and the management of a major water source previously deemed unsuitable for potable use because of salinity problems. I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
I hope these nominations lead to a collaborative approach between the state and the commonwealth on a very important issue for Western Australia. I highlight the contrast between the activity from this government to ensure that our water supplies are sustainable into the future and the complete lack of activity when the previous government was in power.
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