❓ The question asks the Minister to confirm if increased groundwater extraction can replace sprinkler restrictions and if the Minister will encourage the Water Corporation to apply for a licence to extract more groundwater. The Minister's answer deflects, stating the Water Corporation operates under licence and the Water and Rivers Commission has environmental concerns.
AnsweredQoN 905Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WATER CORPORATION, INCREASE IN GROUND WATER EXTRACTION
I refer the minister to his answer today in which he advises that the Water Corporation is capable, within its existing infrastructure, of increasing the extraction of ground water by 45 gigalitres per annum, being the amount that is intended to be saved by virtue of the sprinkler ban. (1) Will the minister confirm that by increasing the extraction level of ground water by 45 gigalitres per annum there will be no need for the sprinkler restrictions in the metropolitan area? (2) Will the minister take the necessary action to encourage the Water Corporation to apply to the Water and Rivers Commission for a licence to extract the extra 45 gigalitres, thereby ending water restrictions without any detrimental impact on our ground water resources?. Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS
I refer the minister to his answer today in which he advises that the Water Corporation is capable, within its existing infrastructure, of increasing the extraction of ground water by 45 gigalitres per annum, being the amount that is intended to be saved by virtue of the sprinkler ban. (1) Will the minister confirm that by increasing the extraction level of ground water by 45 gigalitres per annum there will be no need for the sprinkler restrictions in the metropolitan area? (2) Will the minister take the necessary action to encourage the Water Corporation to apply to the Water and Rivers Commission for a licence to extract the extra 45 gigalitres, thereby ending water restrictions without any detrimental impact on our ground water resources?. Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
(1) Will the minister confirm that by increasing the extraction level of ground water by 45 gigalitres per annum there will be no need for the sprinkler restrictions in the metropolitan area? (2) Will the minister take the necessary action to encourage the Water Corporation to apply to the Water and Rivers Commission for a licence to extract the extra 45 gigalitres, thereby ending water restrictions without any detrimental impact on our ground water resources?. Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
(2) Will the minister take the necessary action to encourage the Water Corporation to apply to the Water and Rivers Commission for a licence to extract the extra 45 gigalitres, thereby ending water restrictions without any detrimental impact on our ground water resources?. Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
(1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
(1) Will the minister confirm that by increasing the extraction level of ground water by 45 gigalitres per annum there will be no need for the sprinkler restrictions in the metropolitan area? (2) Will the minister take the necessary action to encourage the Water Corporation to apply to the Water and Rivers Commission for a licence to extract the extra 45 gigalitres, thereby ending water restrictions without any detrimental impact on our ground water resources?. Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
(2) Will the minister take the necessary action to encourage the Water Corporation to apply to the Water and Rivers Commission for a licence to extract the extra 45 gigalitres, thereby ending water restrictions without any detrimental impact on our ground water resources?. Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
(1)-(2) The Water Corporation extracts ground water under licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. The Water and Rivers Commission has proper concerns about how much water can be extracted over any given period. Those concerns are of an environmental nature. The Water Corporation’s advice to me is to the effect that it has made the appropriate representations to the Water and Rivers Commission, which has dealt with the matter appropriately in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority.
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