❓ Mr. Bradshaw raises concerns about algal blooms in the Serpentine and Murray Rivers, linking them to septic tank leakage and seeking government action. The Minister acknowledges the issue, outlines collaborative efforts, and highlights existing and planned initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 1508Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that there are a significant number of properties in the City of Mandurah and the Murray Shire within 500 metres of either the Serpentine or Murray Rivers that have access to but are not connected to the reticulated deep sewerage system?
(2) Is the Minister aware that the leakage of nutrients from septic tanks into the Serpentine and Murray rivers system is a contributing factor in the algal bloom in these rivers?
(3) Is the Minister aware that the algal bloom count that is killing fish in these two waterways is far in excess of the recorded bloom levels of those recorded in the Murray/Darling system?
(4) Has the Minister or the Department of Environment and Heritage determined who is responsible for this algal bloom?
(5) What steps is the Minister taking to address these problems?
(6) When does the Government intend to fund the recommendations of the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan of the Peel Waterways launched by the Government in October 2002?
(2) Is the Minister aware that the leakage of nutrients from septic tanks into the Serpentine and Murray rivers system is a contributing factor in the algal bloom in these rivers?
(3) Is the Minister aware that the algal bloom count that is killing fish in these two waterways is far in excess of the recorded bloom levels of those recorded in the Murray/Darling system?
(4) Has the Minister or the Department of Environment and Heritage determined who is responsible for this algal bloom?
(5) What steps is the Minister taking to address these problems?
(6) When does the Government intend to fund the recommendations of the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan of the Peel Waterways launched by the Government in October 2002?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 June 2003
Responded by
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
36 days
(2) Yes, it is likely but has not been quantified. (3) Yes. (4) No one is individually responsible for the algal bloom, as it is a natural plant response to environmental conditions. Factors such as sunlight, available nutrients, rainfall and estuarine salinity are largely beyond anyone’s control. There are a large number of individuals, industries, agencies, and communities that are responsible for collectively creating the eutrophic, or nutrient enriched, conditions in which the algal blooms thrive. Septic tanks are only one source of nutrients. The loss of nutrients to the rivers from fertiliser applied to agricultural land is a major source of nutrients that lead to algal blooms in the waterways. The loss of riparian vegetation and associated bank erosion further contribution to the problems. (5) The State Government is working with those outlined above to improve land and waterway management that contributes to the conditions outlined. The State Government is also working with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and South West Catchment Council to develop accredited plans which will identify priorities and target funding and resources to priority areas. Both State and Federal Governments have been negotiating directly with the Commonwealth on funding for a suite of projects directly targeting improvements to water quality in the Peel- Harvey Catchment. (6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(3) Yes. (4) No one is individually responsible for the algal bloom, as it is a natural plant response to environmental conditions. Factors such as sunlight, available nutrients, rainfall and estuarine salinity are largely beyond anyone’s control. There are a large number of individuals, industries, agencies, and communities that are responsible for collectively creating the eutrophic, or nutrient enriched, conditions in which the algal blooms thrive. Septic tanks are only one source of nutrients. The loss of nutrients to the rivers from fertiliser applied to agricultural land is a major source of nutrients that lead to algal blooms in the waterways. The loss of riparian vegetation and associated bank erosion further contribution to the problems. (5) The State Government is working with those outlined above to improve land and waterway management that contributes to the conditions outlined. The State Government is also working with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and South West Catchment Council to develop accredited plans which will identify priorities and target funding and resources to priority areas. Both State and Federal Governments have been negotiating directly with the Commonwealth on funding for a suite of projects directly targeting improvements to water quality in the Peel- Harvey Catchment. (6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(4) No one is individually responsible for the algal bloom, as it is a natural plant response to environmental conditions. Factors such as sunlight, available nutrients, rainfall and estuarine salinity are largely beyond anyone’s control. There are a large number of individuals, industries, agencies, and communities that are responsible for collectively creating the eutrophic, or nutrient enriched, conditions in which the algal blooms thrive. Septic tanks are only one source of nutrients. The loss of nutrients to the rivers from fertiliser applied to agricultural land is a major source of nutrients that lead to algal blooms in the waterways. The loss of riparian vegetation and associated bank erosion further contribution to the problems. (5) The State Government is working with those outlined above to improve land and waterway management that contributes to the conditions outlined. The State Government is also working with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and South West Catchment Council to develop accredited plans which will identify priorities and target funding and resources to priority areas. Both State and Federal Governments have been negotiating directly with the Commonwealth on funding for a suite of projects directly targeting improvements to water quality in the Peel- Harvey Catchment. (6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(5) The State Government is working with those outlined above to improve land and waterway management that contributes to the conditions outlined. The State Government is also working with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and South West Catchment Council to develop accredited plans which will identify priorities and target funding and resources to priority areas. Both State and Federal Governments have been negotiating directly with the Commonwealth on funding for a suite of projects directly targeting improvements to water quality in the Peel- Harvey Catchment. (6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(3) Yes. (4) No one is individually responsible for the algal bloom, as it is a natural plant response to environmental conditions. Factors such as sunlight, available nutrients, rainfall and estuarine salinity are largely beyond anyone’s control. There are a large number of individuals, industries, agencies, and communities that are responsible for collectively creating the eutrophic, or nutrient enriched, conditions in which the algal blooms thrive. Septic tanks are only one source of nutrients. The loss of nutrients to the rivers from fertiliser applied to agricultural land is a major source of nutrients that lead to algal blooms in the waterways. The loss of riparian vegetation and associated bank erosion further contribution to the problems. (5) The State Government is working with those outlined above to improve land and waterway management that contributes to the conditions outlined. The State Government is also working with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and South West Catchment Council to develop accredited plans which will identify priorities and target funding and resources to priority areas. Both State and Federal Governments have been negotiating directly with the Commonwealth on funding for a suite of projects directly targeting improvements to water quality in the Peel- Harvey Catchment. (6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(4) No one is individually responsible for the algal bloom, as it is a natural plant response to environmental conditions. Factors such as sunlight, available nutrients, rainfall and estuarine salinity are largely beyond anyone’s control. There are a large number of individuals, industries, agencies, and communities that are responsible for collectively creating the eutrophic, or nutrient enriched, conditions in which the algal blooms thrive. Septic tanks are only one source of nutrients. The loss of nutrients to the rivers from fertiliser applied to agricultural land is a major source of nutrients that lead to algal blooms in the waterways. The loss of riparian vegetation and associated bank erosion further contribution to the problems. (5) The State Government is working with those outlined above to improve land and waterway management that contributes to the conditions outlined. The State Government is also working with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and South West Catchment Council to develop accredited plans which will identify priorities and target funding and resources to priority areas. Both State and Federal Governments have been negotiating directly with the Commonwealth on funding for a suite of projects directly targeting improvements to water quality in the Peel- Harvey Catchment. (6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(5) The State Government is working with those outlined above to improve land and waterway management that contributes to the conditions outlined. The State Government is also working with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and South West Catchment Council to develop accredited plans which will identify priorities and target funding and resources to priority areas. Both State and Federal Governments have been negotiating directly with the Commonwealth on funding for a suite of projects directly targeting improvements to water quality in the Peel- Harvey Catchment. (6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
(6) Parts of the Plan have already been implemented, such as a reduction in speed limits for boat traffic in the Murray River, thereby reducing boat wash that causes foreshore erosion. The Water and Rivers Commission is currently developing an active plan to implement the recommendations contained in the Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways. On 29 May 2003, I personally launched a local Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of the Plan. I have appointed the Honourable Member for Mandurah, Mr David Templeman MLA to Chair the committee. This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
This process will identify current expenditure and priority funding areas and where practicable seek to divert effort towards elements of the Plan. The process will also seek to identify areas where additional resources may be required. It should also be remembered that, while the Peel Inlet Management Authority and the Commission coordinated the Plan, it was never intended the State Government was to have sole responsibility for making the plan happen in its entirety. Key recommendations, particularly in the economic sphere, were targeted at inspiring the private sector and local community organisations.
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