❓ Question regarding compliance with the National Water Initiative (NWI) in the East Kimberley Ord expansion project, and the Minister's assurance of commitment despite the lack of explicit NWI conditions in the National Partnership Agreement.
AnsweredQoN 186Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NATIONAL WATER INITIATIVE — EAST KIMBERLEY
Given that the National Partnership Agreement on the East Kimberley Development package requires that the Ord expansion be developed in keeping with the state’s National Water Initiative commitments, what outcomes or milestones will the Minister for Water use to ensure compliance with the NWI so that the millions of dollars committed by the commonwealth are not at risk? Hon HELEN MORTON
Given that the National Partnership Agreement on the East Kimberley Development package requires that the Ord expansion be developed in keeping with the state’s National Water Initiative commitments, what outcomes or milestones will the Minister for Water use to ensure compliance with the NWI so that the millions of dollars committed by the commonwealth are not at risk? Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Water has advised that the National Partnership Agreement on the East Kimberley Development package does not contain any conditions pertaining to the National Water Initiative. However, the state government is committed to ensuring development is progressed in line with the National Water Initiative commitments. Access to water resources for Ord irrigation is governed by the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and as specified in the Department of Water’s Ord River water management plan developed in 2006. An updated plan, which specifies the precise management arrangements to meet the power and environmental needs, as well as maintaining the irrigation allocations set in 2006, is scheduled for completion in 2010. The water allocation approach achieves protection of the environment and public benefit outcomes consistent with the direction set in the National Water Initiative. The National Water Initiative compliance will also be a requirement for the water service provider for the Ord–East Kimberley irrigation expansion project.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Water has advised that the National Partnership Agreement on the East Kimberley Development package does not contain any conditions pertaining to the National Water Initiative. However, the state government is committed to ensuring development is progressed in line with the National Water Initiative commitments. Access to water resources for Ord irrigation is governed by the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and as specified in the Department of Water’s Ord River water management plan developed in 2006. An updated plan, which specifies the precise management arrangements to meet the power and environmental needs, as well as maintaining the irrigation allocations set in 2006, is scheduled for completion in 2010. The water allocation approach achieves protection of the environment and public benefit outcomes consistent with the direction set in the National Water Initiative. The National Water Initiative compliance will also be a requirement for the water service provider for the Ord–East Kimberley irrigation expansion project.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Water has advised that the National Partnership Agreement on the East Kimberley Development package does not contain any conditions pertaining to the National Water Initiative. However, the state government is committed to ensuring development is progressed in line with the National Water Initiative commitments. Access to water resources for Ord irrigation is governed by the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and as specified in the Department of Water’s Ord River water management plan developed in 2006. An updated plan, which specifies the precise management arrangements to meet the power and environmental needs, as well as maintaining the irrigation allocations set in 2006, is scheduled for completion in 2010. The water allocation approach achieves protection of the environment and public benefit outcomes consistent with the direction set in the National Water Initiative. The National Water Initiative compliance will also be a requirement for the water service provider for the Ord–East Kimberley irrigation expansion project.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Water has advised that the National Partnership Agreement on the East Kimberley Development package does not contain any conditions pertaining to the National Water Initiative. However, the state government is committed to ensuring development is progressed in line with the National Water Initiative commitments. Access to water resources for Ord irrigation is governed by the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and as specified in the Department of Water’s Ord River water management plan developed in 2006. An updated plan, which specifies the precise management arrangements to meet the power and environmental needs, as well as maintaining the irrigation allocations set in 2006, is scheduled for completion in 2010. The water allocation approach achieves protection of the environment and public benefit outcomes consistent with the direction set in the National Water Initiative. The National Water Initiative compliance will also be a requirement for the water service provider for the Ord–East Kimberley irrigation expansion project.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Water has advised that the National Partnership Agreement on the East Kimberley Development package does not contain any conditions pertaining to the National Water Initiative. However, the state government is committed to ensuring development is progressed in line with the National Water Initiative commitments. Access to water resources for Ord irrigation is governed by the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and as specified in the Department of Water’s Ord River water management plan developed in 2006. An updated plan, which specifies the precise management arrangements to meet the power and environmental needs, as well as maintaining the irrigation allocations set in 2006, is scheduled for completion in 2010. The water allocation approach achieves protection of the environment and public benefit outcomes consistent with the direction set in the National Water Initiative. The National Water Initiative compliance will also be a requirement for the water service provider for the Ord–East Kimberley irrigation expansion project.
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