❓ Mr. Logan questions the Minister for Water regarding a review of drainage charges, alleging secrecy and lack of transparency. The Minister acknowledges the review, defends the charge's necessity, and admits poor implementation by the Water Corporation.
AnsweredQoN 356Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER CORPORATION — ANNUAL DRAINAGE CHARGES
I draw the minister’s attention to the thousands of householders in Perth who have received letters from the Water Corporation advising them that, from 1 July, they now have to pay annual drainage charges on top of the scandalous increases they have suffered in higher water and sewerage costs. (1) Why has the review of drainage charges been conducted in secret, given there has been no public announcement of this by the minister, by the former Minister for Water or by the Water Corporation? (2) When did the minister become aware of this secret review process, and what role or contribution has the minister made to it? (3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION
I draw the minister’s attention to the thousands of householders in Perth who have received letters from the Water Corporation advising them that, from 1 July, they now have to pay annual drainage charges on top of the scandalous increases they have suffered in higher water and sewerage costs. (1) Why has the review of drainage charges been conducted in secret, given there has been no public announcement of this by the minister, by the former Minister for Water or by the Water Corporation? (2) When did the minister become aware of this secret review process, and what role or contribution has the minister made to it? (3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(1) Why has the review of drainage charges been conducted in secret, given there has been no public announcement of this by the minister, by the former Minister for Water or by the Water Corporation? (2) When did the minister become aware of this secret review process, and what role or contribution has the minister made to it? (3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(2) When did the minister become aware of this secret review process, and what role or contribution has the minister made to it? (3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(1) Why has the review of drainage charges been conducted in secret, given there has been no public announcement of this by the minister, by the former Minister for Water or by the Water Corporation? (2) When did the minister become aware of this secret review process, and what role or contribution has the minister made to it? (3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(2) When did the minister become aware of this secret review process, and what role or contribution has the minister made to it? (3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(3) Given the size of the increase and the wide impact it has had on Perth households, why was this not included or mentioned in the 2011–12 budget papers? (4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
(4) Has the minister ensured that the Economic Regulation Authority has been involved in this secret review; and, if so, does the ERA agree with the way in which the new drainage charges have been applied? Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. I became aware of the review in May when it was brought to my attention — Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr F.M. Logan : May? It has been going on for a year. Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr W.R. MARMION : Yes. I was made aware of the review. The drainage charges are a longstanding charge that has been going for 80 years. In fact, it is probably a disappointment that it took 10 years for a review to be done. As new subdivisions come on the market, there are new people who need to pay a drainage charge if they are utilising Water Corporation infrastructure. Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
The SPEAKER : The member for Cockburn! Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr W.R. MARMION : It is probably disappointing that a review was not done during the member’s term of government. Maybe these reviews should be done on a five-yearly basis. The drainage charge is a necessary charge that anyone who uses Water Corporation drainage facilities has to pay. It has been going for 80 years. About 300 000 householders in Western Australia are connected to the drainage infrastructure of the Water Corporation, and they have to pay this charge. The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
The review that was undertaken identified that in new subdivisions there are now 13 300 people who have not been paying this charge. That means that 300 000 people are paying the cost of all the infrastructure when it should be 300 000 plus 13 300 people. This is a charge that, in principle, I support. I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
I must say that the member does have a point. I was extremely disappointed in the way it has been implemented. The Water Corporation should have consulted far better with the community. I have expressed my disappointment to the chief executive officer, and she recognises that it has implemented this very poorly. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
The SPEAKER : If the member for Bassendean wants to ask a question, I simply ask him to get to his feet and ask a question. He has the opportunity in this place. I am giving the supplementary call to the member for Cockburn and not to the member for Bassendean. I formally call the member to order for the second time today.
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