❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Water regarding plans to change or remove Lennox Weir. The Minister confirms the Water Corporation proposes decommissioning due to safety risks and cost, while exploring alternative water access for affected landowners.
AnsweredQoN 251Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LENNOX WEIR
251. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to Lennox Weir on the
Carbunup River in the City of Busselton.
(1) Is the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation planning to change the
functions of, or remove, the weir?
(2) If yes —
(a) what changes are planned;
(b) what are the reasons that changes
are being implemented;
(c) what impacts
will the changes have on landowners who have traditionally relied on the weir;
(d) how does the government plan to
manage those impacts; and
(e) will the government release the
2020 study of the river system by Robin Pace?
251. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to Lennox Weir on the
Carbunup River in the City of Busselton.
(1) Is the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation planning to change the
functions of, or remove, the weir?
(2) If yes —
(a) what changes are planned;
(b) what are the reasons that changes
are being implemented;
(c) what impacts
will the changes have on landowners who have traditionally relied on the weir;
(d) how does the government plan to
manage those impacts; and
(e) will the government release the
2020 study of the river system by Robin Pace?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided by the Minister for Water.
(1) The operation
of Lennox Weir is managed by the Water Corporation, not the Department of Water
and Environmental Regulation. The Water Corporation has a proposal to
decommission the weir.
(2) (a)–(b) The weir as it stands serves no function
under the Water Services Act 2012. There is no requirement under the
corporation's operating licence to maintain the weir in situ and its
current condition presents operational and public safety risks. Due to its age,
the weir has significantly deteriorated and is no longer operable. Replacing
the weir would cost around $5 million. Decommissioning the weir will cost $150 000
and would minimise impact on the surrounding environment.
(c)–(d) Surface
water will still be available to adjacent landowners but likely at reduced
levels. The Water Corporation is working with adjacent landowners to explore
other opportunities.
(e) The Water
Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation are
unaware of the report mentioned.
The following information has been provided by the Minister for Water.
(1) The operation
of Lennox Weir is managed by the Water Corporation, not the Department of Water
and Environmental Regulation. The Water Corporation has a proposal to
decommission the weir.
(2) (a)–(b) The weir as it stands serves no function
under the Water Services Act 2012. There is no requirement under the
corporation's operating licence to maintain the weir in situ and its
current condition presents operational and public safety risks. Due to its age,
the weir has significantly deteriorated and is no longer operable. Replacing
the weir would cost around $5 million. Decommissioning the weir will cost $150 000
and would minimise impact on the surrounding environment.
(c)–(d) Surface
water will still be available to adjacent landowners but likely at reduced
levels. The Water Corporation is working with adjacent landowners to explore
other opportunities.
(e) The Water
Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation are
unaware of the report mentioned.
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