❓ Hon Dee Margetts inquires about consultation between Fisheries WA and the South West Development Commission regarding the Pemberton Hydro-Electric Power Project. The response details consultation efforts focused on protecting the Department's research facility, but expresses concern over environmental impacts and project safety due to changes in the pipeline's construction.
AnsweredQoN 104Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the South West Development Commission Hydro-Electric Power Project in Pemberton which includes the pipeline through Lefroy Brook and ask -
(1) Given that Fisheries WA had the opportunity to be involved in the project, were Fisheries WA consulted about the project as currently constructed?
(2) Do records of any consultation on this project exist?
(1) Given that Fisheries WA had the opportunity to be involved in the project, were Fisheries WA consulted about the project as currently constructed?
(2) Do records of any consultation on this project exist?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
31 July 2001
Responded by
Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
34 days
Consultation between the South West Development Commission and the Department of Fisheries on the project was initiated by the Department of Fisheries, through a formal written request from the Department's Director of Research to the Commission's Project Manager in August 2000. This correspondence sought to ensure that the project would not jeopardise water supplies to the Department's South West Freshwater Research and Aquaculture Centre, and suggested an alternative, safer site for the hydro project. Additional formal consultation on the project was subsequently facilitated by the Department of Fisheries, which hosted a meeting between the South West Development Commission, Water & Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries on 16 January 2001. This meeting was convened by the Department of Fisheries to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (yet to be completed) between the parties to ensure the continuity and security of the water supply to the research facility and the town water supply. Just prior to the meeting of 16 January 2001, the Department of Fisheries was provided with plans of the project which indicated that a pipeline would cross the SWFRAC site and divert water from the research facility. The position of the pipeline now constructed differs significantly from that advised to the Department of Fisheries. While the Department of Fisheries undertook to facilitate consultation on this project to specifically address aspects impacting directly on our research facility, the Department has not been consulted on the environment aspects of the project and is seriously concerned about the loss of amenity to river users and the safety of the project as now constructed. 2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
Additional formal consultation on the project was subsequently facilitated by the Department of Fisheries, which hosted a meeting between the South West Development Commission, Water & Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries on 16 January 2001. This meeting was convened by the Department of Fisheries to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (yet to be completed) between the parties to ensure the continuity and security of the water supply to the research facility and the town water supply. Just prior to the meeting of 16 January 2001, the Department of Fisheries was provided with plans of the project which indicated that a pipeline would cross the SWFRAC site and divert water from the research facility. The position of the pipeline now constructed differs significantly from that advised to the Department of Fisheries. While the Department of Fisheries undertook to facilitate consultation on this project to specifically address aspects impacting directly on our research facility, the Department has not been consulted on the environment aspects of the project and is seriously concerned about the loss of amenity to river users and the safety of the project as now constructed. 2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
Just prior to the meeting of 16 January 2001, the Department of Fisheries was provided with plans of the project which indicated that a pipeline would cross the SWFRAC site and divert water from the research facility. The position of the pipeline now constructed differs significantly from that advised to the Department of Fisheries. While the Department of Fisheries undertook to facilitate consultation on this project to specifically address aspects impacting directly on our research facility, the Department has not been consulted on the environment aspects of the project and is seriously concerned about the loss of amenity to river users and the safety of the project as now constructed. 2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
While the Department of Fisheries undertook to facilitate consultation on this project to specifically address aspects impacting directly on our research facility, the Department has not been consulted on the environment aspects of the project and is seriously concerned about the loss of amenity to river users and the safety of the project as now constructed. 2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
Additional formal consultation on the project was subsequently facilitated by the Department of Fisheries, which hosted a meeting between the South West Development Commission, Water & Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries on 16 January 2001. This meeting was convened by the Department of Fisheries to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (yet to be completed) between the parties to ensure the continuity and security of the water supply to the research facility and the town water supply. Just prior to the meeting of 16 January 2001, the Department of Fisheries was provided with plans of the project which indicated that a pipeline would cross the SWFRAC site and divert water from the research facility. The position of the pipeline now constructed differs significantly from that advised to the Department of Fisheries. While the Department of Fisheries undertook to facilitate consultation on this project to specifically address aspects impacting directly on our research facility, the Department has not been consulted on the environment aspects of the project and is seriously concerned about the loss of amenity to river users and the safety of the project as now constructed. 2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
Just prior to the meeting of 16 January 2001, the Department of Fisheries was provided with plans of the project which indicated that a pipeline would cross the SWFRAC site and divert water from the research facility. The position of the pipeline now constructed differs significantly from that advised to the Department of Fisheries. While the Department of Fisheries undertook to facilitate consultation on this project to specifically address aspects impacting directly on our research facility, the Department has not been consulted on the environment aspects of the project and is seriously concerned about the loss of amenity to river users and the safety of the project as now constructed. 2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
While the Department of Fisheries undertook to facilitate consultation on this project to specifically address aspects impacting directly on our research facility, the Department has not been consulted on the environment aspects of the project and is seriously concerned about the loss of amenity to river users and the safety of the project as now constructed. 2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
2. Yes. These matters are recorded on Department of Fisheries file RS321/01.
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