A WA parliamentary question addresses water catchment protection, specifically regarding the Gnangara mound, mining activities, and the allocation of water sales revenue. The Minister's response indicates ongoing development of water management models and conditions under which mining can occur.

AnsweredQoN 342Legislative Council
Asked
7 November 2002
Portfolio
Environment and Heritage

QuestionView source ↗

With regard to the outcomes of the water symposium released yesterday and the issue of catchment protection, including the Gnangara mound - (1) Will the minister advise whether any of the funds raised by revenue for water sales will go towards surface water and the ground water catchment protection? (2) Given that the Gnangara Park concept plan - CALM May 1999 - states that there is sand mining and limestone quarry operations in Gnangara and a number of applications for exploration and mining for sand mining, limestone quarrying, diatomaceous earth and natural gas exploration, what is the current status of those applications? (3) Does the Government consider that mining and quarrying on Perth’s most important water resource is consistent with ensuring Perth’s sustainable water future? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

(1) The Government is developing models to see how the recommendations from the symposium, including those related to charging for water resource management, could be implemented. There is, of course, a need for further stakeholder and community consultation before such proposals could be implemented. Funds raised by water resource management charges would be used in part to support surface water and ground water protection. (2) It would be more appropriate for this question to be referred to the Minister for State Development. (3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.
(1) Will the minister advise whether any of the funds raised by revenue for water sales will go towards surface water and the ground water catchment protection? (2) Given that the Gnangara Park concept plan - CALM May 1999 - states that there is sand mining and limestone quarry operations in Gnangara and a number of applications for exploration and mining for sand mining, limestone quarrying, diatomaceous earth and natural gas exploration, what is the current status of those applications? (3) Does the Government consider that mining and quarrying on Perth’s most important water resource is consistent with ensuring Perth’s sustainable water future? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Government is developing models to see how the recommendations from the symposium, including those related to charging for water resource management, could be implemented. There is, of course, a need for further stakeholder and community consultation before such proposals could be implemented. Funds raised by water resource management charges would be used in part to support surface water and ground water protection. (2) It would be more appropriate for this question to be referred to the Minister for State Development. (3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.
(2) Given that the Gnangara Park concept plan - CALM May 1999 - states that there is sand mining and limestone quarry operations in Gnangara and a number of applications for exploration and mining for sand mining, limestone quarrying, diatomaceous earth and natural gas exploration, what is the current status of those applications? (3) Does the Government consider that mining and quarrying on Perth’s most important water resource is consistent with ensuring Perth’s sustainable water future? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Government is developing models to see how the recommendations from the symposium, including those related to charging for water resource management, could be implemented. There is, of course, a need for further stakeholder and community consultation before such proposals could be implemented. Funds raised by water resource management charges would be used in part to support surface water and ground water protection. (2) It would be more appropriate for this question to be referred to the Minister for State Development. (3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.
(3) Does the Government consider that mining and quarrying on Perth’s most important water resource is consistent with ensuring Perth’s sustainable water future? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Government is developing models to see how the recommendations from the symposium, including those related to charging for water resource management, could be implemented. There is, of course, a need for further stakeholder and community consultation before such proposals could be implemented. Funds raised by water resource management charges would be used in part to support surface water and ground water protection. (2) It would be more appropriate for this question to be referred to the Minister for State Development. (3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Government is developing models to see how the recommendations from the symposium, including those related to charging for water resource management, could be implemented. There is, of course, a need for further stakeholder and community consultation before such proposals could be implemented. Funds raised by water resource management charges would be used in part to support surface water and ground water protection. (2) It would be more appropriate for this question to be referred to the Minister for State Development. (3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.
(1) The Government is developing models to see how the recommendations from the symposium, including those related to charging for water resource management, could be implemented. There is, of course, a need for further stakeholder and community consultation before such proposals could be implemented. Funds raised by water resource management charges would be used in part to support surface water and ground water protection. (2) It would be more appropriate for this question to be referred to the Minister for State Development. (3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.
(2) It would be more appropriate for this question to be referred to the Minister for State Development. (3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.
(3) Yes, provided that mining does not excavate within two metres of the highest seasonal ground water levels and the appropriate environmental controls are in place as specified in the Water and Rivers Commission quality notes best practice guidelines.

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