❓ Opposition MP questions the fairness of WA's water licence fees for the mining industry compared to Queensland, particularly regarding the lack of fees for agriculture in Queensland and the introduction of fees in WA.
AnsweredQoN 1176Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WATER — LICENCE
FEES
1176. Hon COLIN TINCKNELL to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to water licence fees
imposed on the mining industry in Western Australia last week, and proposed for
agriculture. In Queensland, the application fee for a water licence is $130.30
and there are no licence renewal fees as the licence is perpetual.
(1) When compared
with the system in Queensland, does the minister think it is fair that miners
and farmers in Western Australia pay an application fee of $8 929 for a water
licence and $6 668 to renew a water licence every 10 years?
(2) Will the
minister explain why the McGowan government's approach to the mineral
and food production industries in Western Australia is to add costs that do not
apply to competitors in Queensland, which are also under a Labor government?
FEES
1176. Hon COLIN TINCKNELL to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to water licence fees
imposed on the mining industry in Western Australia last week, and proposed for
agriculture. In Queensland, the application fee for a water licence is $130.30
and there are no licence renewal fees as the licence is perpetual.
(1) When compared
with the system in Queensland, does the minister think it is fair that miners
and farmers in Western Australia pay an application fee of $8 929 for a water
licence and $6 668 to renew a water licence every 10 years?
(2) Will the
minister explain why the McGowan government's approach to the mineral
and food production industries in Western Australia is to add costs that do not
apply to competitors in Queensland, which are also under a Labor government?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided by the Minister
for Water.
(1)–(2) No
decision has been made to introduce a water licence fee in the agricultural
sector. A water licence fee was recently introduced for water licence permits
and applications in the mining sector. This fee will recover the costs incurred
by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation undertaking assessment
of water licence and permit applications in this sector. It is fair that the
mining sector covers the cost of this service and it is not left to taxpayers.
Prior to the introduction of this fee, Western Australia was the only state in
the commonwealth where water licence holders made no contribution to the water
licensing system. Fees vary across Australia and in many states a volumetric
charge is applied based on water use. This is not being considered in Western Australia.
of the question. The following information has been provided by the Minister
for Water.
(1)–(2) No
decision has been made to introduce a water licence fee in the agricultural
sector. A water licence fee was recently introduced for water licence permits
and applications in the mining sector. This fee will recover the costs incurred
by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation undertaking assessment
of water licence and permit applications in this sector. It is fair that the
mining sector covers the cost of this service and it is not left to taxpayers.
Prior to the introduction of this fee, Western Australia was the only state in
the commonwealth where water licence holders made no contribution to the water
licensing system. Fees vary across Australia and in many states a volumetric
charge is applied based on water use. This is not being considered in Western Australia.
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