❓ Hon Bruce Donaldson questions the timing of farm water grants, suggesting allowing work commencement before formal approval to utilise winter rainfall. Hon Tom Stephens, the Minister, rejects the proposal citing financial accountability, assessment needs, and ongoing review of grant criteria.
AnsweredQoN 841Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
The timing of the next round of grants under the farm water grants scheme in July 2003 will not allow farm dam construction and water tanks to be in place prior to the winter rainfall. Will the minister consider approving the commencement of works prior to the allocation of funds to eligible farmers, which follows the normal practice of projects being assessed by the panel and recommended for funding? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - No. This matter has been considered in detail by the Rural Water Supply Coordinating Committee, chaired by Mr Bill McNee, MLA, and the Water and Rivers Commission. The current criteria accepts only approved expenditure after formal notification of grants approval. This is considered to be appropriate to ensure that undue expectations of a grant are not generated and considers the need for confirmation that an applicant is water deficient and therefore eligible for a grant; that assessment is carried out to ensure technical aspects of proposed works are capable of meeting the desired outcome of a reliable water supply; that funding is directed towards priority areas; and that there is compliance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the required level of accountability of a grant scheme. The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - No. This matter has been considered in detail by the Rural Water Supply Coordinating Committee, chaired by Mr Bill McNee, MLA, and the Water and Rivers Commission. The current criteria accepts only approved expenditure after formal notification of grants approval. This is considered to be appropriate to ensure that undue expectations of a grant are not generated and considers the need for confirmation that an applicant is water deficient and therefore eligible for a grant; that assessment is carried out to ensure technical aspects of proposed works are capable of meeting the desired outcome of a reliable water supply; that funding is directed towards priority areas; and that there is compliance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the required level of accountability of a grant scheme. The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - No. This matter has been considered in detail by the Rural Water Supply Coordinating Committee, chaired by Mr Bill McNee, MLA, and the Water and Rivers Commission. The current criteria accepts only approved expenditure after formal notification of grants approval. This is considered to be appropriate to ensure that undue expectations of a grant are not generated and considers the need for confirmation that an applicant is water deficient and therefore eligible for a grant; that assessment is carried out to ensure technical aspects of proposed works are capable of meeting the desired outcome of a reliable water supply; that funding is directed towards priority areas; and that there is compliance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the required level of accountability of a grant scheme. The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
No. This matter has been considered in detail by the Rural Water Supply Coordinating Committee, chaired by Mr Bill McNee, MLA, and the Water and Rivers Commission. The current criteria accepts only approved expenditure after formal notification of grants approval. This is considered to be appropriate to ensure that undue expectations of a grant are not generated and considers the need for confirmation that an applicant is water deficient and therefore eligible for a grant; that assessment is carried out to ensure technical aspects of proposed works are capable of meeting the desired outcome of a reliable water supply; that funding is directed towards priority areas; and that there is compliance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the required level of accountability of a grant scheme. The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - No. This matter has been considered in detail by the Rural Water Supply Coordinating Committee, chaired by Mr Bill McNee, MLA, and the Water and Rivers Commission. The current criteria accepts only approved expenditure after formal notification of grants approval. This is considered to be appropriate to ensure that undue expectations of a grant are not generated and considers the need for confirmation that an applicant is water deficient and therefore eligible for a grant; that assessment is carried out to ensure technical aspects of proposed works are capable of meeting the desired outcome of a reliable water supply; that funding is directed towards priority areas; and that there is compliance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the required level of accountability of a grant scheme. The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - No. This matter has been considered in detail by the Rural Water Supply Coordinating Committee, chaired by Mr Bill McNee, MLA, and the Water and Rivers Commission. The current criteria accepts only approved expenditure after formal notification of grants approval. This is considered to be appropriate to ensure that undue expectations of a grant are not generated and considers the need for confirmation that an applicant is water deficient and therefore eligible for a grant; that assessment is carried out to ensure technical aspects of proposed works are capable of meeting the desired outcome of a reliable water supply; that funding is directed towards priority areas; and that there is compliance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the required level of accountability of a grant scheme. The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
No. This matter has been considered in detail by the Rural Water Supply Coordinating Committee, chaired by Mr Bill McNee, MLA, and the Water and Rivers Commission. The current criteria accepts only approved expenditure after formal notification of grants approval. This is considered to be appropriate to ensure that undue expectations of a grant are not generated and considers the need for confirmation that an applicant is water deficient and therefore eligible for a grant; that assessment is carried out to ensure technical aspects of proposed works are capable of meeting the desired outcome of a reliable water supply; that funding is directed towards priority areas; and that there is compliance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the required level of accountability of a grant scheme. The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
The criteria for grant schemes under the rural water programs are currently being examined as part of the refocusing of the state rural water plan. A new grant round of the farm water grants scheme will be subject to the outcome of the state budget.
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