A parliamentary question probes the Water Corporation's consideration and testing of a potential freshwater source near the Norseman-Coolgardie pipeline. The Minister acknowledges testing by the Geological Survey but states insufficient potable water was identified.

AnsweredQoN 1237Legislative Council
Asked
9 April 2002
Portfolio
Government Enterprises

QuestionView source ↗

WATER PIPELINE, NORSEMAN-COOLGARDIE
It has been known for at least the past 30 years that there is fresh water in the Widgiemooltha area close to the existing Norseman-Coolgardie pipeline. This water is a good quality potable supply. Will the minister tell the House - (1) Has this resource ever been considered by the Water Corporation? (2) Has it ever been tested adequately? (3) If so, what were the results? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS

AnswerView source ↗

I have been given some notice of this question, but the wording in front of me is different from the wording that the member read out. In particular, he said, “Has it ever been tested adequately?” The member added the word “adequately”. I did not carry out the tests, so I cannot tell the member whether it has been tested adequately or otherwise. The question that I was asked originally was, “Has it ever been tested?” That is a different question. I am not suggesting that it has been tested inadequately. I just do not know. I will deal with the answers to the questions that I was given. (1) No. The honourable member would know that members opposite corporatised the former Water Authority, and it became the Water Corporation some years ago. (2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
(1) Has this resource ever been considered by the Water Corporation? (2) Has it ever been tested adequately? (3) If so, what were the results? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I have been given some notice of this question, but the wording in front of me is different from the wording that the member read out. In particular, he said, “Has it ever been tested adequately?” The member added the word “adequately”. I did not carry out the tests, so I cannot tell the member whether it has been tested adequately or otherwise. The question that I was asked originally was, “Has it ever been tested?” That is a different question. I am not suggesting that it has been tested inadequately. I just do not know. I will deal with the answers to the questions that I was given. (1) No. The honourable member would know that members opposite corporatised the former Water Authority, and it became the Water Corporation some years ago. (2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
(2) Has it ever been tested adequately? (3) If so, what were the results? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I have been given some notice of this question, but the wording in front of me is different from the wording that the member read out. In particular, he said, “Has it ever been tested adequately?” The member added the word “adequately”. I did not carry out the tests, so I cannot tell the member whether it has been tested adequately or otherwise. The question that I was asked originally was, “Has it ever been tested?” That is a different question. I am not suggesting that it has been tested inadequately. I just do not know. I will deal with the answers to the questions that I was given. (1) No. The honourable member would know that members opposite corporatised the former Water Authority, and it became the Water Corporation some years ago. (2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
(3) If so, what were the results? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I have been given some notice of this question, but the wording in front of me is different from the wording that the member read out. In particular, he said, “Has it ever been tested adequately?” The member added the word “adequately”. I did not carry out the tests, so I cannot tell the member whether it has been tested adequately or otherwise. The question that I was asked originally was, “Has it ever been tested?” That is a different question. I am not suggesting that it has been tested inadequately. I just do not know. I will deal with the answers to the questions that I was given. (1) No. The honourable member would know that members opposite corporatised the former Water Authority, and it became the Water Corporation some years ago. (2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I have been given some notice of this question, but the wording in front of me is different from the wording that the member read out. In particular, he said, “Has it ever been tested adequately?” The member added the word “adequately”. I did not carry out the tests, so I cannot tell the member whether it has been tested adequately or otherwise. The question that I was asked originally was, “Has it ever been tested?” That is a different question. I am not suggesting that it has been tested inadequately. I just do not know. I will deal with the answers to the questions that I was given. (1) No. The honourable member would know that members opposite corporatised the former Water Authority, and it became the Water Corporation some years ago. (2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
I have been given some notice of this question, but the wording in front of me is different from the wording that the member read out. In particular, he said, “Has it ever been tested adequately?” The member added the word “adequately”. I did not carry out the tests, so I cannot tell the member whether it has been tested adequately or otherwise. The question that I was asked originally was, “Has it ever been tested?” That is a different question. I am not suggesting that it has been tested inadequately. I just do not know. I will deal with the answers to the questions that I was given. (1) No. The honourable member would know that members opposite corporatised the former Water Authority, and it became the Water Corporation some years ago. (2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
(1) No. The honourable member would know that members opposite corporatised the former Water Authority, and it became the Water Corporation some years ago. (2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
(2) Yes; this was done by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. (3) Insufficient potable water was identified.
(3) Insufficient potable water was identified.

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