Mr. Birney questions the Minister for State Development about the timeline for a decision on new water sources for the Goldfields, given recent water restrictions. The Minister acknowledges the complexity of the issue and states a decision has been made by Cabinet, with details to follow after further analysis and consultation.

AnsweredQoN 411Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 September 2001
Member
Portfolio
State Development

QuestionView source ↗

WATER SUPPLIES, GOLDFIELDS 411. Mr BIRNEY to the Minister for State Development: In light of the recent water restrictions imposed on the people of the goldfields and, given that expressions of interest to bring a new water source to the goldfields have been lodged with the minister’s department since June this year, will the minister advise the House when he intends to make a decision on this issue? Mr BROWN

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for his question. The member has correctly indicated that some expressions of interest have been dealt with. Last week, those recommendations came before Cabinet, and we have made a decision about that process. I am happy to provide the member with the details. I will not give the member all the detail now because it is not a simple decision; it is a complex matter that is in four or five parts. It will involve some further analysis of the water options, particularly for potable water, and it will involve further consultation with the mining industry about the use of hypersaline water from paleochannels. Those issues are significant. Some proposals have been submitted that concern the northern goldfields, and there will be further discussion around those proposals. The recommendations that have been provided to the Government are a complex matter. It has taken a little while for Cabinet to consider them; however, they have now been considered and we will be in a position to convey those decisions to all concerned.
WATER SUPPLIES, GOLDFIELDS
In light of the recent water restrictions imposed on the people of the goldfields and, given that expressions of interest to bring a new water source to the goldfields have been lodged with the minister’s department since June this year, will the minister advise the House when he intends to make a decision on this issue? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for his question. The member has correctly indicated that some expressions of interest have been dealt with. Last week, those recommendations came before Cabinet, and we have made a decision about that process. I am happy to provide the member with the details. I will not give the member all the detail now because it is not a simple decision; it is a complex matter that is in four or five parts. It will involve some further analysis of the water options, particularly for potable water, and it will involve further consultation with the mining industry about the use of hypersaline water from paleochannels. Those issues are significant. Some proposals have been submitted that concern the northern goldfields, and there will be further discussion around those proposals. The recommendations that have been provided to the Government are a complex matter. It has taken a little while for Cabinet to consider them; however, they have now been considered and we will be in a position to convey those decisions to all concerned.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for his question. The member has correctly indicated that some expressions of interest have been dealt with. Last week, those recommendations came before Cabinet, and we have made a decision about that process. I am happy to provide the member with the details. I will not give the member all the detail now because it is not a simple decision; it is a complex matter that is in four or five parts. It will involve some further analysis of the water options, particularly for potable water, and it will involve further consultation with the mining industry about the use of hypersaline water from paleochannels. Those issues are significant. Some proposals have been submitted that concern the northern goldfields, and there will be further discussion around those proposals. The recommendations that have been provided to the Government are a complex matter. It has taken a little while for Cabinet to consider them; however, they have now been considered and we will be in a position to convey those decisions to all concerned.
I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for his question. The member has correctly indicated that some expressions of interest have been dealt with. Last week, those recommendations came before Cabinet, and we have made a decision about that process. I am happy to provide the member with the details. I will not give the member all the detail now because it is not a simple decision; it is a complex matter that is in four or five parts. It will involve some further analysis of the water options, particularly for potable water, and it will involve further consultation with the mining industry about the use of hypersaline water from paleochannels. Those issues are significant. Some proposals have been submitted that concern the northern goldfields, and there will be further discussion around those proposals. The recommendations that have been provided to the Government are a complex matter. It has taken a little while for Cabinet to consider them; however, they have now been considered and we will be in a position to convey those decisions to all concerned.
Those issues are significant. Some proposals have been submitted that concern the northern goldfields, and there will be further discussion around those proposals. The recommendations that have been provided to the Government are a complex matter. It has taken a little while for Cabinet to consider them; however, they have now been considered and we will be in a position to convey those decisions to all concerned.

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