❓ A parliamentary question regarding the WA government's awareness and support of a proposed desalination plant at Wellington Dam, including cost comparisons with a publicly owned plant and potential water supply contributions.
AnsweredQoN 1011Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WELLINGTON DAM DESALINATION PLANT - FEDERAL LABOR PARTY PROPOSAL
I refer the minister to his press release dated 23 October 2007 concerning the federal Labor Party’s announcement of a $10 million contribution towards a $20 million desalination plant at Wellington Dam. (1) How long has the government been aware of such a proposal? (2) Why has state government not offered support to it? (3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer the minister to his press release dated 23 October 2007 concerning the federal Labor Party’s announcement of a $10 million contribution towards a $20 million desalination plant at Wellington Dam. (1) How long has the government been aware of such a proposal? (2) Why has state government not offered support to it? (3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(1) How long has the government been aware of such a proposal? (2) Why has state government not offered support to it? (3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(2) Why has state government not offered support to it? (3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(1) How long has the government been aware of such a proposal? (2) Why has state government not offered support to it? (3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(2) Why has state government not offered support to it? (3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(3) Will any of the 10 gigalitres of water produced from the proposed plan feed into the public supplier system; if so, how much? (4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(4) Will the minister explain why it costs $400 million for a publicly owned 45-gigalitre desalination plant, or nearly $10 million per gigalitre capacity, while this private proposal has an indicative price of $2 million per gigalitre? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for providing some notice of the question. (1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(1) The state government has been working on a salinity recovery plan for the Collie-Wellington catchment since 1996. A small desalination plant has been considered as an option over the last five years. The proposal has been put to the commonwealth on a number of occasions for funding, but to date the state government has not received a response to its submissions. Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
Hon Simon O’Brien : It is a bit like writing to Alannah MacTiernan: it takes forever and you are generally not happy with what you get! Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
Hon KIM CHANCE : The answer continues - (2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(2) The state government has offered to match potential Australian federal government funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The state government, with community and industry, has put considerable resources into planning this project since 1996, which have not been matched by the Australian government. The state government is fully supportive of the project. (3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(3) The water from the desalination plant is proposed to be used by local industry. Indirectly, however, the desalination plant could deliver in the vicinity of six gigalitres of water to public water supply. (4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
(4) The desalination proposal is for a three to six gigalitre per year plan, whereas the $400 million costing for the plant at Kwinana also covered infrastructure to integrate the plan into the integrated water system.
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