❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses groundwater usage in the Perth region, inquiring about sustainable yield, extraction rates, and potential for increased Water Corporation access, highlighting environmental and user impact considerations.
AnsweredQoN 1492Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the Government’s ongoing water restrictions and ask - (1) What is the estimated annual sustainable yield of ground water for the Perth region? (2) What is the current estimate of total ground water extraction in the Perth region? (3) Does the minister intend to allow the Water Corporation to access more of Perth’s sustainable yield of ground water that remains unused; and, if not, why not? (4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(1) What is the estimated annual sustainable yield of ground water for the Perth region? (2) What is the current estimate of total ground water extraction in the Perth region? (3) Does the minister intend to allow the Water Corporation to access more of Perth’s sustainable yield of ground water that remains unused; and, if not, why not? (4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(2) What is the current estimate of total ground water extraction in the Perth region? (3) Does the minister intend to allow the Water Corporation to access more of Perth’s sustainable yield of ground water that remains unused; and, if not, why not? (4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(3) Does the minister intend to allow the Water Corporation to access more of Perth’s sustainable yield of ground water that remains unused; and, if not, why not? (4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(1) What is the estimated annual sustainable yield of ground water for the Perth region? (2) What is the current estimate of total ground water extraction in the Perth region? (3) Does the minister intend to allow the Water Corporation to access more of Perth’s sustainable yield of ground water that remains unused; and, if not, why not? (4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(2) What is the current estimate of total ground water extraction in the Perth region? (3) Does the minister intend to allow the Water Corporation to access more of Perth’s sustainable yield of ground water that remains unused; and, if not, why not? (4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(3) Does the minister intend to allow the Water Corporation to access more of Perth’s sustainable yield of ground water that remains unused; and, if not, why not? (4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(4) Is there any reason why more of the sustainable ground water yield cannot be drawn upon now? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
The Minister for the Environment provided the following response - (1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(1) Based on current knowledge for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah, the rainfall recharge is estimated at about 600 gigalitres per year but this varies greatly according to rainfall, land use and pumping, which affects both recharge and discharge. A major ground water model has been developed to assist refinement of these estimates. (2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(2) The current estimate of total annual ground water extraction for the region from Gingin Brook to Mandurah is 490 gigalitres per year, including garden bores. Some flowthrough is required to prevent salt water intrusion and to maintain water levels around wetlands. (3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(3) In the state water strategy, the Water Corporation has identified the Eglinton and Gingin areas as future sources of ground water. However, the Water Corporation would need to demonstrate that these schemes would not have an adverse impact on the environment or on other ground water users. (4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
(4) Each year in October the Water Corporation makes a submission to the Water and Rivers Commission on the amount of ground water that it requires. The board of the Water and Rivers Commission is currently reviewing this year’s submission. A recommendation will be presented to the Environmental Protection Authority for its consideration in December.
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