❓ A parliamentary question addresses the Minister for Environment and Heritage regarding the Riverplan document and its targets for pollution, accountability, environmental measures, and catchment management. The Minister's response highlights confusion over different versions of Riverplan and emphasizes the ongoing Swan-Canning clean-up program.
AnsweredQoN 847Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the comprehensive management plan required under the environmental protection (Swan and Canning Rivers) policy approval order gazetted in 1998 and the Riverplan document she plans to release shortly. (1) Does Riverplan set targets for pollution and nutrient levels in the rivers, particularly phosphorus levels? (2) Does Riverplan allocate clear responsibility and accountability in the management of the EPP’s objectives? (3) Does the plan provide for environmental measures and enforcement? (4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(1) Does Riverplan set targets for pollution and nutrient levels in the rivers, particularly phosphorus levels? (2) Does Riverplan allocate clear responsibility and accountability in the management of the EPP’s objectives? (3) Does the plan provide for environmental measures and enforcement? (4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(2) Does Riverplan allocate clear responsibility and accountability in the management of the EPP’s objectives? (3) Does the plan provide for environmental measures and enforcement? (4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(3) Does the plan provide for environmental measures and enforcement? (4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(1) Does Riverplan set targets for pollution and nutrient levels in the rivers, particularly phosphorus levels? (2) Does Riverplan allocate clear responsibility and accountability in the management of the EPP’s objectives? (3) Does the plan provide for environmental measures and enforcement? (4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(2) Does Riverplan allocate clear responsibility and accountability in the management of the EPP’s objectives? (3) Does the plan provide for environmental measures and enforcement? (4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(3) Does the plan provide for environmental measures and enforcement? (4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(4) Does Riverplan address the management of the whole Swan river catchment, including the Avon and other wheatbelt catchments? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(1)-(4) Which Riverplan document is the member referring to? Riverplan 99 was the comprehensive management plan required under the EPP that was transmitted to the previous minister in December 1999. In August 2000, the minister wrote to the Environmental Protection Authority stating that she was not prepared to release the document and that she wanted a new document for public consultation. The new document was also to be called Riverplan. The Riverplan document transmitted to me in May is different from the Riverplan document that the minister received. It deals with strategic issues rather than detailed issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. Barnett: So you told a fib yesterday? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: There was no fib. Members opposite did not even know their own minister had sat on a document and said, “Let’s not release this for public comment; let’s have some sort of glossy.” The document I have is not a glossy. It is a strategic document that picks up on what happens in the Swan-Canning clean-up program. When this issue was first raised with me a month ago I went straight to the Swan River Trust and asked where the management plan was and why it was not working on it. I was told that the real need was to continue with the Swan-Canning clean-up program. That program includes 20 ongoing projects, and later today I will join with the federal Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture to release the outcome of NHT2, whereby the Swan catchment area will provide 21 positions for coordinators. In addition - as announced today - funding will flow through for NHT2, which will benefit the Swan region and improve the health of the river in those areas. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kingsley and the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
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