❓ The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is concerned that the Kununurra Water Source Protection Plan will restrict development. The Minister acknowledges the concerns and is working on a solution, prioritizing the safety of the water supply.
AnsweredQoN 1004Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the draft of the Kununurra Water Source Protection Plan prepared by the Waters and Rivers Commission -
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, whilst supporting the need to protect quality of drinking water in the town, is very concerned that the proposed protection area boundaries incorporate much of the available prime developable land close to the town site and if implemented in its current form, the plan will severely restrict the potential growth and development of the township of Kununurra?
(2) Is the Minister further aware that the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley considers that there are more appropriate locations within Kununurra to access water and that the Shire considers the State Government should be directing the Water and Rivers Commission to concentrate its time and effort in identifying and scoping these alternatives in cooperation and conjunction with the Shire?
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, whilst supporting the need to protect quality of drinking water in the town, is very concerned that the proposed protection area boundaries incorporate much of the available prime developable land close to the town site and if implemented in its current form, the plan will severely restrict the potential growth and development of the township of Kununurra?
(2) Is the Minister further aware that the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley considers that there are more appropriate locations within Kununurra to access water and that the Shire considers the State Government should be directing the Water and Rivers Commission to concentrate its time and effort in identifying and scoping these alternatives in cooperation and conjunction with the Shire?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 September 2003
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
23 days
(1) Yes. I am aware of the concerns of the Shire with respect to the effect of the proposed water reserve boundaries on the potential growth and development of Kununurra. I have asked the Department of Environment to develop a strategy with other relevant agencies (Planning and Infrastructure, LandCorp, Conservation and Land Management, Health and the Water Corporation) to progress a way forward to solving this issue. The proposed 2003 Water Reserve, as identified in the source protection plan, will enable about 50% of the original reserve to be de-proclaimed, and released for possible development. (2) Yes. I am aware the Shire considers there are more appropriate locations. The Source Protection Plan identifies these locations and outlines the environmental and social issues that each will create if implemented. The Department of Environment has indicated a willingness to work with the Shire in identifying these alternatives in more detail, and is in constant communication with the CEO of the Shire. However, it is important that, for the sake of the health of every person in Kununurra, the only existing source of drinking water is fully protected until a new source can be identified, investigated, placed into service, and delivering a drinking water supply that meets the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Department of Health. To do anything else would be extremely foolhardy. This means, unfortunately, that there can be no development within the reserve, or on the foreshore, until this occurs.
(2) Yes. I am aware the Shire considers there are more appropriate locations. The Source Protection Plan identifies these locations and outlines the environmental and social issues that each will create if implemented. The Department of Environment has indicated a willingness to work with the Shire in identifying these alternatives in more detail, and is in constant communication with the CEO of the Shire. However, it is important that, for the sake of the health of every person in Kununurra, the only existing source of drinking water is fully protected until a new source can be identified, investigated, placed into service, and delivering a drinking water supply that meets the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Department of Health. To do anything else would be extremely foolhardy. This means, unfortunately, that there can be no development within the reserve, or on the foreshore, until this occurs.
However, it is important that, for the sake of the health of every person in Kununurra, the only existing source of drinking water is fully protected until a new source can be identified, investigated, placed into service, and delivering a drinking water supply that meets the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Department of Health. To do anything else would be extremely foolhardy. This means, unfortunately, that there can be no development within the reserve, or on the foreshore, until this occurs.
(2) Yes. I am aware the Shire considers there are more appropriate locations. The Source Protection Plan identifies these locations and outlines the environmental and social issues that each will create if implemented. The Department of Environment has indicated a willingness to work with the Shire in identifying these alternatives in more detail, and is in constant communication with the CEO of the Shire. However, it is important that, for the sake of the health of every person in Kununurra, the only existing source of drinking water is fully protected until a new source can be identified, investigated, placed into service, and delivering a drinking water supply that meets the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Department of Health. To do anything else would be extremely foolhardy. This means, unfortunately, that there can be no development within the reserve, or on the foreshore, until this occurs.
However, it is important that, for the sake of the health of every person in Kununurra, the only existing source of drinking water is fully protected until a new source can be identified, investigated, placed into service, and delivering a drinking water supply that meets the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Department of Health. To do anything else would be extremely foolhardy. This means, unfortunately, that there can be no development within the reserve, or on the foreshore, until this occurs.
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