Mr Rundle questions the Minister for Water about significant increases in standpipe charges impacting local governments' firefighting and emergency stock watering capabilities. The Minister deflects, stating the increases are part of the budgetary process and invites specific concerns.

AnsweredQoN 798Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 October 2018
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

WATER CORPORATION —
STANDPIPES — CHARGES
798. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Water:
Recently, the Water Corporation
advised local governments that fees for the use of standpipes will increase
significantly at great expense to local government. Standpipes are used for
firefighting and emergency stock watering purposes.
(1) Has the
Minister for Agriculture and Food or the Minister for Emergency Services raised
this issue with the Minister for Water?
(2) Is the
minister concerned that the Water Corporation's decision will have
negative impacts on firefighting and emergency stock watering?
(3) Will the
minister direct the Water Corporation to overturn its decision to ensure that
standpipes are not locked by local government to prevent excessive charges?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(3) Increases
in charges by the Water Corporation go through the normal budgetary process.
Obviously, I am not going to divulge any of the discussions we have had as part
of that process. I have not had any concerns raised with me by local government
or anyone else in respect of changes to pricing from the Water Corporation and
how they might affect firefighting or anything else. If the member has any
specific concerns, I am happy for the member to raise them with me and I will
have a look at them.

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