A parliamentary question addresses the regulation of private bore usage, seeking clarification on government support for bores, the nature of upcoming regulations, potential discouragement of bore installation, and the role of education. The minister clarifies portfolio responsibility and outlines the regulation's intent to align bore usage with existing water restrictions, while also emphasizing the importance of community education.

AnsweredQoN 618Legislative Council
Asked
26 September 2001
Portfolio
Government Enterprises

QuestionView source ↗

The minister has announced that the Government intends to regulate the usage of private bore sprinklers. (1) Does the Government support, as did the previous Government, the installation by the public of private bores to reduce the drain on drinking water supplies and the wastage of drinking water on private gardens? (2) What is the nature of the regulation that the minister intends to bring in? (3) Is the minister concerned that the announcement of the intention to bring in this regulation will dissuade people from spending money on bores? (4) Does the minister consider that perhaps a better way to ensure a better use of bore water would be an education program? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(4) First, I should point out that the regulation of bores comes under the authority of the Water and Rivers Commission, and Hon Judy Edwards has ministerial responsibility for that. It does not come under the government enterprises portfolio; it is not the role of the Water Corporation. In dealing with the water crisis issue, it is appropriate that mention be made of private bores. The Government is of the view that the installation of private bores is desirable, substantially for the reasons to which the member referred in his question. My understanding is that a regulation is being developed to restrict the use of private bores for sprinkler purposes, to the effect that the use of such bores for sprinkler purposes will occur only outside those hours when the use of sprinklers was prohibited prior to the recent announcement of further scheme water restrictions. Therefore, those who have access to private bores will contribute to the whole-of-community approach. I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.
(1) Does the Government support, as did the previous Government, the installation by the public of private bores to reduce the drain on drinking water supplies and the wastage of drinking water on private gardens? (2) What is the nature of the regulation that the minister intends to bring in? (3) Is the minister concerned that the announcement of the intention to bring in this regulation will dissuade people from spending money on bores? (4) Does the minister consider that perhaps a better way to ensure a better use of bore water would be an education program? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(4) First, I should point out that the regulation of bores comes under the authority of the Water and Rivers Commission, and Hon Judy Edwards has ministerial responsibility for that. It does not come under the government enterprises portfolio; it is not the role of the Water Corporation. In dealing with the water crisis issue, it is appropriate that mention be made of private bores. The Government is of the view that the installation of private bores is desirable, substantially for the reasons to which the member referred in his question. My understanding is that a regulation is being developed to restrict the use of private bores for sprinkler purposes, to the effect that the use of such bores for sprinkler purposes will occur only outside those hours when the use of sprinklers was prohibited prior to the recent announcement of further scheme water restrictions. Therefore, those who have access to private bores will contribute to the whole-of-community approach. I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.
(2) What is the nature of the regulation that the minister intends to bring in? (3) Is the minister concerned that the announcement of the intention to bring in this regulation will dissuade people from spending money on bores? (4) Does the minister consider that perhaps a better way to ensure a better use of bore water would be an education program? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(4) First, I should point out that the regulation of bores comes under the authority of the Water and Rivers Commission, and Hon Judy Edwards has ministerial responsibility for that. It does not come under the government enterprises portfolio; it is not the role of the Water Corporation. In dealing with the water crisis issue, it is appropriate that mention be made of private bores. The Government is of the view that the installation of private bores is desirable, substantially for the reasons to which the member referred in his question. My understanding is that a regulation is being developed to restrict the use of private bores for sprinkler purposes, to the effect that the use of such bores for sprinkler purposes will occur only outside those hours when the use of sprinklers was prohibited prior to the recent announcement of further scheme water restrictions. Therefore, those who have access to private bores will contribute to the whole-of-community approach. I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.
(3) Is the minister concerned that the announcement of the intention to bring in this regulation will dissuade people from spending money on bores? (4) Does the minister consider that perhaps a better way to ensure a better use of bore water would be an education program? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(4) First, I should point out that the regulation of bores comes under the authority of the Water and Rivers Commission, and Hon Judy Edwards has ministerial responsibility for that. It does not come under the government enterprises portfolio; it is not the role of the Water Corporation. In dealing with the water crisis issue, it is appropriate that mention be made of private bores. The Government is of the view that the installation of private bores is desirable, substantially for the reasons to which the member referred in his question. My understanding is that a regulation is being developed to restrict the use of private bores for sprinkler purposes, to the effect that the use of such bores for sprinkler purposes will occur only outside those hours when the use of sprinklers was prohibited prior to the recent announcement of further scheme water restrictions. Therefore, those who have access to private bores will contribute to the whole-of-community approach. I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.
(4) Does the minister consider that perhaps a better way to ensure a better use of bore water would be an education program? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(4) First, I should point out that the regulation of bores comes under the authority of the Water and Rivers Commission, and Hon Judy Edwards has ministerial responsibility for that. It does not come under the government enterprises portfolio; it is not the role of the Water Corporation. In dealing with the water crisis issue, it is appropriate that mention be made of private bores. The Government is of the view that the installation of private bores is desirable, substantially for the reasons to which the member referred in his question. My understanding is that a regulation is being developed to restrict the use of private bores for sprinkler purposes, to the effect that the use of such bores for sprinkler purposes will occur only outside those hours when the use of sprinklers was prohibited prior to the recent announcement of further scheme water restrictions. Therefore, those who have access to private bores will contribute to the whole-of-community approach. I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(4) First, I should point out that the regulation of bores comes under the authority of the Water and Rivers Commission, and Hon Judy Edwards has ministerial responsibility for that. It does not come under the government enterprises portfolio; it is not the role of the Water Corporation. In dealing with the water crisis issue, it is appropriate that mention be made of private bores. The Government is of the view that the installation of private bores is desirable, substantially for the reasons to which the member referred in his question. My understanding is that a regulation is being developed to restrict the use of private bores for sprinkler purposes, to the effect that the use of such bores for sprinkler purposes will occur only outside those hours when the use of sprinklers was prohibited prior to the recent announcement of further scheme water restrictions. Therefore, those who have access to private bores will contribute to the whole-of-community approach. I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.
(1)-(4) First, I should point out that the regulation of bores comes under the authority of the Water and Rivers Commission, and Hon Judy Edwards has ministerial responsibility for that. It does not come under the government enterprises portfolio; it is not the role of the Water Corporation. In dealing with the water crisis issue, it is appropriate that mention be made of private bores. The Government is of the view that the installation of private bores is desirable, substantially for the reasons to which the member referred in his question. My understanding is that a regulation is being developed to restrict the use of private bores for sprinkler purposes, to the effect that the use of such bores for sprinkler purposes will occur only outside those hours when the use of sprinklers was prohibited prior to the recent announcement of further scheme water restrictions. Therefore, those who have access to private bores will contribute to the whole-of-community approach. I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.
I certainly agree with the proposition that education is a good way to go. Education is occurring and will continue to occur. I believe that the community as a whole will cooperate. The regulation that is being developed, for which I do not have ministerial responsibility, will encourage good water use and practice. It will be to the advantage of not only the community as a whole but also those who install private bores.

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