❓ Hon Bruce Donaldson asks about the priority given to aquaculture development and streamlining project approvals. Hon Jon Ford responds, highlighting the department's focus, budget allocation, and plans for a dedicated aquaculture bill to address bureaucratic hurdles.
AnsweredQoN 431Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY
As the minister may be aware, an article in yesterday’s The West Australian reported that Australia’s aquaculture industry accounted for one-third of the value of the nation’s fish production last year. The gross value of aquaculture production rose by 18 per cent to $748 million, and the gross value of farmed barramundi rose to $17.2 million, 77 per cent more than five years ago. (1) What priority is the Department of Fisheries currently giving to encouraging and assisting developers of aquaculture projects in Western Australia? (2) Will the minister look at creating, along with other relevant government agencies, a more streamlined approach for the approval of aquaculture projects, thereby minimising the costly delays that are being experienced in seeking approvals from all government agencies? Hon JON FORD
As the minister may be aware, an article in yesterday’s The West Australian reported that Australia’s aquaculture industry accounted for one-third of the value of the nation’s fish production last year. The gross value of aquaculture production rose by 18 per cent to $748 million, and the gross value of farmed barramundi rose to $17.2 million, 77 per cent more than five years ago. (1) What priority is the Department of Fisheries currently giving to encouraging and assisting developers of aquaculture projects in Western Australia? (2) Will the minister look at creating, along with other relevant government agencies, a more streamlined approach for the approval of aquaculture projects, thereby minimising the costly delays that are being experienced in seeking approvals from all government agencies? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
(1) What priority is the Department of Fisheries currently giving to encouraging and assisting developers of aquaculture projects in Western Australia? (2) Will the minister look at creating, along with other relevant government agencies, a more streamlined approach for the approval of aquaculture projects, thereby minimising the costly delays that are being experienced in seeking approvals from all government agencies? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
(2) Will the minister look at creating, along with other relevant government agencies, a more streamlined approach for the approval of aquaculture projects, thereby minimising the costly delays that are being experienced in seeking approvals from all government agencies? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
(1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
(1) What priority is the Department of Fisheries currently giving to encouraging and assisting developers of aquaculture projects in Western Australia? (2) Will the minister look at creating, along with other relevant government agencies, a more streamlined approach for the approval of aquaculture projects, thereby minimising the costly delays that are being experienced in seeking approvals from all government agencies? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
(2) Will the minister look at creating, along with other relevant government agencies, a more streamlined approach for the approval of aquaculture projects, thereby minimising the costly delays that are being experienced in seeking approvals from all government agencies? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
I thank Hon Bruce Donaldson for the question. (1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
(1)-(2) From a strategic perspective, aquaculture is a high priority for the Department of Fisheries. As the member is aware, a number of issues are also a priority, such as finfish stocks, and pearling, but this is certainly a high priority. In the recent budget, the government allocated recurrent expenditure of about $700 000 a year for the next three years, with a specific focus on reducing the effect of bureaucracy on aquaculture and implementing many of the initiatives that were suggested to tackle the problems identified in the Murray report. Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
Hon Barry House : Was that the Mick Murray report? Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
Hon JON FORD : Yes, that is right; although, there was nothing in it about compliance! That was very hard to resist. I have completely lost my train of thought. The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
The other area that we are particularly interested in is pre-mapping prospectivity, which has been discussed previously. A couple of weeks ago, I instructed the department to seriously consider progressing a dedicated and specifically focused aquaculture bill that would remove some of the problems of that area being regulated by legislation that deals with wild stock. That is a priority. A lot of work has been done on that already. I would like to think that over the next 12 to 18 months, that bill will well and truly evolve. Hon Bruce Donaldson and others in this place will be involved in the development of that bill. It has high priority. Specifically, the department is looking at what has and what has not worked in other jurisdictions, particularly in South Australia.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.