❓ Hon. N.F. Moore questions the approval process and implications of the Water Corporation's increased groundwater extraction. The Minister clarifies the approval timeline and states the extra water won't ease restrictions, but prevents them from worsening.
AnsweredQoN 959Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GROUNDWATER, APPLICATIONS TO INCREASE EXTRACTION
In an answer provided by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on 5 December, we were told that the Water Corporation has been given approval to extract an extra 6.5 gigalitres of ground water this financial year. We were also told that, of the 10 applications lodged on 18 October by the Water Corporation, eight applications involving 25.53 gigalitres remain to be determined. Yesterday, in reply to question 943, the minister informed us that the Water Corporation had obtained approval for an additional 25 gigalitres of ground water. I ask - (1) When did the Water and Rivers Commission give the Water Corporation approval to extract the extra 25 gigalitres of ground water as sought in its October application? (2) If the Water Corporation has obtained approval for the 25 gigalitres it sought, will the minister be informing the community of the extra water available? (3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS
In an answer provided by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on 5 December, we were told that the Water Corporation has been given approval to extract an extra 6.5 gigalitres of ground water this financial year. We were also told that, of the 10 applications lodged on 18 October by the Water Corporation, eight applications involving 25.53 gigalitres remain to be determined. Yesterday, in reply to question 943, the minister informed us that the Water Corporation had obtained approval for an additional 25 gigalitres of ground water. I ask - (1) When did the Water and Rivers Commission give the Water Corporation approval to extract the extra 25 gigalitres of ground water as sought in its October application? (2) If the Water Corporation has obtained approval for the 25 gigalitres it sought, will the minister be informing the community of the extra water available? (3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(1) When did the Water and Rivers Commission give the Water Corporation approval to extract the extra 25 gigalitres of ground water as sought in its October application? (2) If the Water Corporation has obtained approval for the 25 gigalitres it sought, will the minister be informing the community of the extra water available? (3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(2) If the Water Corporation has obtained approval for the 25 gigalitres it sought, will the minister be informing the community of the extra water available? (3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(3) None.
(1) When did the Water and Rivers Commission give the Water Corporation approval to extract the extra 25 gigalitres of ground water as sought in its October application? (2) If the Water Corporation has obtained approval for the 25 gigalitres it sought, will the minister be informing the community of the extra water available? (3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(2) If the Water Corporation has obtained approval for the 25 gigalitres it sought, will the minister be informing the community of the extra water available? (3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(3) What is the potential for easing water restrictions as a result of the extra water supplies being made available? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(1) The application was endorsed by the Water and Rivers Commission on 10 November 2001 and agreement was ratified by the Environmental Protection Authority on 6 December 2001. (2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(2) No. There is no extra water available as the combined surface and ground water resources available to meet demand for this year include the 25 gigalitres, which was the subject of the October application. If the request had not been approved, the corporation would have been obliged to vary the current level of restrictions and introduce a more severe stage of restrictions. (3) None.
(3) None.
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