❓ Mr Grylls questions the impact of infill sewerage program funding cuts on waterways and the use of salinity funds for sewerage leaks. Dr Edwards defends the government's actions, citing Water Corporation advice and increased focus on high-priority areas.
AnsweredQoN 436Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the fact that the State Government slashed funding to the infill sewerage program by 50 per cent and delayed it by five years. (1) Is the minister aware that this will have harmful effects on our waterways because septic systems will continue to leach excess nutrients into our wetlands, rivers and oceans? (2) Does the minister agree that the program would have been completed by now if the original time line had been left intact? (3) Does the minister concede that it is unacceptable for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality money to be spent on fixing sewerage leaks into the Blackwood River when the completion of the infill sewerage program would have solved the problem? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(1) Is the minister aware that this will have harmful effects on our waterways because septic systems will continue to leach excess nutrients into our wetlands, rivers and oceans? (2) Does the minister agree that the program would have been completed by now if the original time line had been left intact? (3) Does the minister concede that it is unacceptable for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality money to be spent on fixing sewerage leaks into the Blackwood River when the completion of the infill sewerage program would have solved the problem? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(2) Does the minister agree that the program would have been completed by now if the original time line had been left intact? (3) Does the minister concede that it is unacceptable for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality money to be spent on fixing sewerage leaks into the Blackwood River when the completion of the infill sewerage program would have solved the problem? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(3) Does the minister concede that it is unacceptable for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality money to be spent on fixing sewerage leaks into the Blackwood River when the completion of the infill sewerage program would have solved the problem? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(1) Is the minister aware that this will have harmful effects on our waterways because septic systems will continue to leach excess nutrients into our wetlands, rivers and oceans? (2) Does the minister agree that the program would have been completed by now if the original time line had been left intact? (3) Does the minister concede that it is unacceptable for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality money to be spent on fixing sewerage leaks into the Blackwood River when the completion of the infill sewerage program would have solved the problem? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(2) Does the minister agree that the program would have been completed by now if the original time line had been left intact? (3) Does the minister concede that it is unacceptable for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality money to be spent on fixing sewerage leaks into the Blackwood River when the completion of the infill sewerage program would have solved the problem? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(3) Does the minister concede that it is unacceptable for National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality money to be spent on fixing sewerage leaks into the Blackwood River when the completion of the infill sewerage program would have solved the problem? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
(1)-(3) I do not accept the premise in the first part of the member’s question. As I informed him this morning, the Water Corporation has told me - I am not the minister responsible; I am relying on the corporation’s information - it has targeted and completed the infill sewerage program in most of the high priority areas. Clearly, environmental damage is one of the high priority issues. I was delighted to be able to inform the House this morning that the proportion of country properties being examined under this program has shifted. It has increased by some 10 000. That is very good news for people in those areas. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: No; it has not. The member for Mitchell does not know what he is talking about; he needs to listen. The number of country households targeted has increased. The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
The member should also examine the differences. We cannot equate what happens in the metropolitan area with what happens in country areas. There are different circumstances and, as I explained this morning, the rate of migration of nutrients can be different in those two environments. They are much more likely to get through the Bassendean sands to rivers and waterways. Of course it is not acceptable if raw sewage flows into rivers. If the member for Merredin knows about that happening, he needs to tell me and it will be immediately stopped.
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