❓ Question regarding Karara Mining Ltd's water license application and potential impacts on mound springs and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. The Minister acknowledges the concerns and outlines the assessment process, aiming for a decision by 30 June 2011.
AnsweredQoN 3901Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Karara Mining Ltd’s application for a licence to withdraw 5.3 gigalitres of water each year from the Mingenew sub-area of the Parmelia aquifer, and ask the following -
(1) Is the Minister aware that a survey by the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council has identified 12 mound springs in the Mingenew area, including several in pristine condition and likely to contain Threatened Ecological Communities, that depend on discharge from the Parmelia Aquifer and which may be impacted if the licence is granted?
(2) In the light of a May 2009 Department of Water report titled, ‘Environmental considerations for groundwater management in the Northern Perth Basin’, which calls for active management of the Arrowsmith Groundwater Area, including Mingenew, in order ‘to prevent impacts that may otherwise occur due to lack of information and/or inadequate assessment’, does the Minister intend to ensure that the best possible information and assessment regarding potential environmental impacts will be used in the Government’s decision on Karara’s water licence application?
(3) Is the Minister for Water aware that the National Water Commission is currently completing a $2.5 million vulnerability assessment of groundwater-dependent ecosystems in the Mid-West of Western Australia, due for completion in July this year, with the study’s stated aims being to improve groundwater management guidelines for vulnerable areas in the northern Perth Basin and to contribute to the revision of water management plans for the area in line with the National Water Initiative?
(4) Does the Minister still intend to make his decision on Karara’s application by 30 June 2011, a month before the National Water Commission study’s findings are available?
(5) If the answers to both (2) and (4) are yes, how does the Minister reconcile these two answers?
(1) Is the Minister aware that a survey by the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council has identified 12 mound springs in the Mingenew area, including several in pristine condition and likely to contain Threatened Ecological Communities, that depend on discharge from the Parmelia Aquifer and which may be impacted if the licence is granted?
(2) In the light of a May 2009 Department of Water report titled, ‘Environmental considerations for groundwater management in the Northern Perth Basin’, which calls for active management of the Arrowsmith Groundwater Area, including Mingenew, in order ‘to prevent impacts that may otherwise occur due to lack of information and/or inadequate assessment’, does the Minister intend to ensure that the best possible information and assessment regarding potential environmental impacts will be used in the Government’s decision on Karara’s water licence application?
(3) Is the Minister for Water aware that the National Water Commission is currently completing a $2.5 million vulnerability assessment of groundwater-dependent ecosystems in the Mid-West of Western Australia, due for completion in July this year, with the study’s stated aims being to improve groundwater management guidelines for vulnerable areas in the northern Perth Basin and to contribute to the revision of water management plans for the area in line with the National Water Initiative?
(4) Does the Minister still intend to make his decision on Karara’s application by 30 June 2011, a month before the National Water Commission study’s findings are available?
(5) If the answers to both (2) and (4) are yes, how does the Minister reconcile these two answers?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 June 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Water
Response time
42 days
(1) Yes. The Northern Agricultural Catchment Council identified eight mound springs in the area, none of which are listed Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs). The Department of Water (DoW) has identified potential risks to five mound springs which are listed TECs. These risks are being considered through the licence assessment process, and would be managed through an operating strategy.
(2) Yes
(3) Yes
(4) A decision is expected by 30 June 2011, provided Karara submit the required information to enable the assessment to be completed.
(5) Information from the DoW and National Water Commission's groundwater-dependent ecosystems study has assisted in the assessment of the application. However the study sites do not have overlap with the KML application.
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(2) Yes
(3) Yes
(4) A decision is expected by 30 June 2011, provided Karara submit the required information to enable the assessment to be completed.
(5) Information from the DoW and National Water Commission's groundwater-dependent ecosystems study has assisted in the assessment of the application. However the study sites do not have overlap with the KML application.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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