❓ The WA Government confirms ongoing negotiations with the NT regarding water use from Lake Argyle for irrigation, dating back to 2012. The agreement aims to establish a framework for NT users to access water under WA legislation, with individual license applications subject to standard WA processes.
AnsweredQoN 2046Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Western Australian Government currently in negotiations with
the Northern Territory Government for an intergovernmental agreement over the use of water from
Lake Argyle for irrigation projects in the Northern Territory (NT)? (2) If yes to (1): (a) when did the negotiations commence; (b) who is leading the negotiations from Western Australia (WA); (c) when is it expected that an agreement may be finalised; (d) will the agreement, or any of its components, be
subject to public comment or environmental assessment prior to coming into
effect: (i) if no to (2)(d), why not; (e) what environmental impact assessments, cost/benefit
analyses or risk assessments (including climate risk assessments), have been or
will be undertaken prior to the signing of any agreement; (f) in reference to (2)(e), will any such assessments or analyses be made public
prior to the signing of an agreement: (i) if no to (2)(f), why not; (g) what volume of water per annum is the NT Government
seeking; (h) what price is the WA Government putting on the
potential provision of water to the NT, per millilitre; and (i) is the WA Government still considering raising the
height of the Ord River dam spillway in order to increase the capacity of Lake
Argyle: (i) if yes to (2)(i), what is the current estimated cost of this work; and (ii) if yes to (2)(i), who would be responsible for paying the cost of this work?
the Northern Territory Government for an intergovernmental agreement over the use of water from
Lake Argyle for irrigation projects in the Northern Territory (NT)? (2) If yes to (1): (a) when did the negotiations commence; (b) who is leading the negotiations from Western Australia (WA); (c) when is it expected that an agreement may be finalised; (d) will the agreement, or any of its components, be
subject to public comment or environmental assessment prior to coming into
effect: (i) if no to (2)(d), why not; (e) what environmental impact assessments, cost/benefit
analyses or risk assessments (including climate risk assessments), have been or
will be undertaken prior to the signing of any agreement; (f) in reference to (2)(e), will any such assessments or analyses be made public
prior to the signing of an agreement: (i) if no to (2)(f), why not; (g) what volume of water per annum is the NT Government
seeking; (h) what price is the WA Government putting on the
potential provision of water to the NT, per millilitre; and (i) is the WA Government still considering raising the
height of the Ord River dam spillway in order to increase the capacity of Lake
Argyle: (i) if yes to (2)(i), what is the current estimated cost of this work; and (ii) if yes to (2)(i), who would be responsible for paying the cost of this work?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 June 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Water
Response time
13 days
(1) Yes.
(2)
(a) Discussions on an agreement with the Northern Territory (NT) government have been ongoing since November 2012 when the Western Australian (WA) Government, the Commonwealth and the NT signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement in relation to expansion and extension of the Ord Irrigation Scheme into the Northern Territory. On 29 January 2024, the Minister for Regional Development wrote to the Northern Territory Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries recommitting the WA Government to the negotiation of an intergovernmental agreement.
(b) The Minister for Water and the Minister for Regional Development.
(c) There is no defined timeline for the finalisation of an agreement.
(d) No
(i) The agreement aims to put in place a mechanism to permit NT based users to obtain water under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 , and consistent with WA legislation and policy. As such, each licence application would be determined using the process set out in the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 .
(e) None. The agreement will not grant any approvals for works or the take of water, hence no assessment is required with respect to the agreement.
(f) Not applicable
(i) The agreement will not grant any approvals for works or the take of water, hence no assessment is required with respect to the agreement.
(g) The volume of water sought for use in the NT has not been defined.
(h) Under any agreement, NT licensees would be subject to the same application and other fee provisions which apply to WA based licensees and which are applicable under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Regulations 2000 .
(i) No
(i) - (ii) Not applicable
(2)
(a) Discussions on an agreement with the Northern Territory (NT) government have been ongoing since November 2012 when the Western Australian (WA) Government, the Commonwealth and the NT signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement in relation to expansion and extension of the Ord Irrigation Scheme into the Northern Territory. On 29 January 2024, the Minister for Regional Development wrote to the Northern Territory Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries recommitting the WA Government to the negotiation of an intergovernmental agreement.
(b) The Minister for Water and the Minister for Regional Development.
(c) There is no defined timeline for the finalisation of an agreement.
(d) No
(i) The agreement aims to put in place a mechanism to permit NT based users to obtain water under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 , and consistent with WA legislation and policy. As such, each licence application would be determined using the process set out in the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 .
(e) None. The agreement will not grant any approvals for works or the take of water, hence no assessment is required with respect to the agreement.
(f) Not applicable
(i) The agreement will not grant any approvals for works or the take of water, hence no assessment is required with respect to the agreement.
(g) The volume of water sought for use in the NT has not been defined.
(h) Under any agreement, NT licensees would be subject to the same application and other fee provisions which apply to WA based licensees and which are applicable under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Regulations 2000 .
(i) No
(i) - (ii) Not applicable
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