❓ Question regarding Alcoa's mining plans near Serpentine Dam and potential impacts on Perth's water supply. The Minister assures that water quality protection is paramount and consultation will occur.
AnsweredQoN 307Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ALCOA — BAUXITE —
SERPENTINE DAM
307. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Water:
I refer the minister to recent
media coverage of Alcoa's plans to undertake what Peter Milne, writing
for WAtoday on 7 March, described as ''riskier mining'' near the
Serpentine Dam as part of a massive new exploration.
(1) How many households are
dependent upon the Serpentine Dam for their regular water needs?
(2) What
requirements can be put in place to ensure that sediment run-off from areas
around the dam do not negatively impact the drinking water therein?
(3) Is the minister involved in the review of Alcoa's
proposal currently underway, presumably being coordinated by her
colleague the Minister for Mines and Petroleum; and, if not, why not, given the
importance of this natural resource to both local residents and the wider Perth
community?
SERPENTINE DAM
307. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Water:
I refer the minister to recent
media coverage of Alcoa's plans to undertake what Peter Milne, writing
for WAtoday on 7 March, described as ''riskier mining'' near the
Serpentine Dam as part of a massive new exploration.
(1) How many households are
dependent upon the Serpentine Dam for their regular water needs?
(2) What
requirements can be put in place to ensure that sediment run-off from areas
around the dam do not negatively impact the drinking water therein?
(3) Is the minister involved in the review of Alcoa's
proposal currently underway, presumably being coordinated by her
colleague the Minister for Mines and Petroleum; and, if not, why not, given the
importance of this natural resource to both local residents and the wider Perth
community?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Water.
(1) Serpentine
Pipehead Dam receives water from a number of sources including Serpentine Main
Dam. Serpentine Pipehead Dam then directly supplies, together with other
sources, around 410 000 households in Perth in the system's normal
configuration.
(2)–(3) The
Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade, as lead minister for Alcoa's
mining management plan, will seek concurrence from both the Minister for Water
and Minister for Environment that adequate consultation has occurred prior to
any MMP approval. Avoidance and reduction of risks associated with sediment
run-off is a key issue addressed through that process. Protecting Perth's
drinking water quality and supply is paramount for government and we will
continue to work with Alcoa to ensure satisfactory measures are in place. The
state government and WA public have high expectations that Alcoa meets its
environmental obligations.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Water.
(1) Serpentine
Pipehead Dam receives water from a number of sources including Serpentine Main
Dam. Serpentine Pipehead Dam then directly supplies, together with other
sources, around 410 000 households in Perth in the system's normal
configuration.
(2)–(3) The
Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade, as lead minister for Alcoa's
mining management plan, will seek concurrence from both the Minister for Water
and Minister for Environment that adequate consultation has occurred prior to
any MMP approval. Avoidance and reduction of risks associated with sediment
run-off is a key issue addressed through that process. Protecting Perth's
drinking water quality and supply is paramount for government and we will
continue to work with Alcoa to ensure satisfactory measures are in place. The
state government and WA public have high expectations that Alcoa meets its
environmental obligations.
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