Mr. Bradshaw questions the Minister about sewerage connection rates near the Serpentine and Murray Rivers, the impact of septic tanks on water quality, and plans to address algal blooms and fish kills. The Minister provides data on unconnected properties but defers further answers to the Water and Rivers Commission.

AnsweredQoN 1509Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 May 2003
Portfolio
Government Enterprises

QuestionView source ↗

(1) How many residential and business properties in the Murray Shire and City of Mandurah that abuts to or is within 500 metres of the Serpentine and Murray Rivers have access to reticulated deep sewerage but are not connected to the system.
(2) Is the Minister aware that septic tank seepage, while not the only cause of nutrient leakage into the river system, is also a primary contributing factor?
(3) Is the Minister aware that the Serpentine River has algal counts far in excess of those recorded in the Murray/Darling system and that both the Serpentine and Murray Rivers also suffer from yearly algal blooms and fish kills?
(4) Is the Minister aware that the successful implementation of recommendations in the recently published Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways (Launched in October 2002) is contingent on resource funding being allocated to State Government Departments to implement these recommendations?
(5) If the Minister is aware of these facts, are there any plans to address the problem and when are these plans to be implemented?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
3 June 2003
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Government Enterprises
Response time
20 days
(1) There are 291 business or residential properties within 500 metres of the Murray or Serpentine Rivers in the City of Mandurah and Shire of Murray that have reticulated sewerage available but are not yet connected. (2) In this location, septic tank seepage is a contributing but not primary factor. (3,4,5) Answers to these questions must come from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water Corporation is not privy to all the facts.
(2) In this location, septic tank seepage is a contributing but not primary factor. (3,4,5) Answers to these questions must come from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water Corporation is not privy to all the facts.
(3,4,5) Answers to these questions must come from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water Corporation is not privy to all the facts.

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