❓ WA Parliament Question on Notice reveals Alcoa's water usage from the South Dandalup Dam and other sources within the catchment, including volumes and associated charges. The response provides detailed water usage data and licensing information.
AnsweredQoN 182Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) When did Alcoa first start taking water from the South Dandalup Dam for its operations? (2) Please table the volume of water taken by Alcoa from the South Dandalup Dam in each year that it has done so, and the sums Alcoa pays for that water? (3) In reference to (1), does Alcoa take water from any of the other dams in the same water
catchment area? (4) If yes to (3), please identify the: (a) relevant dams Alcoa has taken water from; (b) amount of water Alcoa has taken from each dam in each year that it has done so; and (c) the sums Alcoa pays for that water?
catchment area? (4) If yes to (3), please identify the: (a) relevant dams Alcoa has taken water from; (b) amount of water Alcoa has taken from each dam in each year that it has done so; and (c) the sums Alcoa pays for that water?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 June 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Water
Response time
8 days
(1) 2003
(2) The Minister is advised:
Financial Year
Water use (kL)
Charges*
2002/03
67,048
$119,094.20
2003/04
180,770
$153,989.15
2004/05
0
0
2005/06
0
$21,233.00
2006/07
164,217
$154,128.80
2007/08
26,883
$77,734.25
2008/09
722,924
$625,345.55
2009/10
174,204
$319,006.50
2010/11
834,644
$1,531,882.05
2011/12
661,709
$1,250,561.85
2012/13
743,058
$1,429,513.20
2013/14
589,323
$1,246,107.34
2014/15
365,533
$750,980.95
2015/16
516,087
$1,222,959.09
2016/17
228,821
$503,334.19
2017/18
45,794
$126,773.61
2018/19
298,321
$664,505.97
2019/20
498,671
$1,773,104.91
2020/21
492,559
$1,071,433.65
2021/22
678,052
$1,690,377.09
2022/23
577,678
$1,291,620.32
2023/24
629,838
$2,492,773.58
* charges have been totalled based on the date bills were issued, and service charges may apply regardless of amount used.
(3) The South Dandalup Dam is within the South Dandalup River catchment and Alcoa also take water from two self-supply dams within the catchment area, which are licensed by DWER under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 .
(4)
(a) Alcoa currently holds two licences to take water, SWL153635 and SWL63409, under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 to abstract up to 530 000 kilolitres per annum (kL/a) from dams or excavations associated with tributaries of the South Dandalup River.
(b) Water usage volumes for all of Alcoa’s licences has been provided to Hon Dr Brad Pettitt previously (refer to answer in Question On Notice provided on 14 March 2024). Table 1 provides detailed figures for 01/01/2024-31/12/2024 not previously provided.
Table 1
Water Usage Volumes
Licence number
Licence Allocation (kilolitres per annum)
Locality
Water Resource Area / Resource
Water Year
Abstraction Volume (kilolitres)
SWL153635(4)
30 000
Huntly Mine Site
SWR – Dandalup River System, South Dandalup, South Dandalup
01/01/2024 -
31/12/2024
NIL
SWL63409(5)
500 000
Huntly Mine Site
SWR – Dandalup River System, South Dandalup, South Dandalup
01/01/2024 -
31/12/2024
32,476
(c) Alcoa were charged a water licence application fee of $8 002.00 for the renewal of SWL153635 and SWL63409.
(2) The Minister is advised:
Financial Year
Water use (kL)
Charges*
2002/03
67,048
$119,094.20
2003/04
180,770
$153,989.15
2004/05
0
0
2005/06
0
$21,233.00
2006/07
164,217
$154,128.80
2007/08
26,883
$77,734.25
2008/09
722,924
$625,345.55
2009/10
174,204
$319,006.50
2010/11
834,644
$1,531,882.05
2011/12
661,709
$1,250,561.85
2012/13
743,058
$1,429,513.20
2013/14
589,323
$1,246,107.34
2014/15
365,533
$750,980.95
2015/16
516,087
$1,222,959.09
2016/17
228,821
$503,334.19
2017/18
45,794
$126,773.61
2018/19
298,321
$664,505.97
2019/20
498,671
$1,773,104.91
2020/21
492,559
$1,071,433.65
2021/22
678,052
$1,690,377.09
2022/23
577,678
$1,291,620.32
2023/24
629,838
$2,492,773.58
* charges have been totalled based on the date bills were issued, and service charges may apply regardless of amount used.
(3) The South Dandalup Dam is within the South Dandalup River catchment and Alcoa also take water from two self-supply dams within the catchment area, which are licensed by DWER under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 .
(4)
(a) Alcoa currently holds two licences to take water, SWL153635 and SWL63409, under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 to abstract up to 530 000 kilolitres per annum (kL/a) from dams or excavations associated with tributaries of the South Dandalup River.
(b) Water usage volumes for all of Alcoa’s licences has been provided to Hon Dr Brad Pettitt previously (refer to answer in Question On Notice provided on 14 March 2024). Table 1 provides detailed figures for 01/01/2024-31/12/2024 not previously provided.
Table 1
Water Usage Volumes
Licence number
Licence Allocation (kilolitres per annum)
Locality
Water Resource Area / Resource
Water Year
Abstraction Volume (kilolitres)
SWL153635(4)
30 000
Huntly Mine Site
SWR – Dandalup River System, South Dandalup, South Dandalup
01/01/2024 -
31/12/2024
NIL
SWL63409(5)
500 000
Huntly Mine Site
SWR – Dandalup River System, South Dandalup, South Dandalup
01/01/2024 -
31/12/2024
32,476
(c) Alcoa were charged a water licence application fee of $8 002.00 for the renewal of SWL153635 and SWL63409.
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