❓ Hon. Alison Xamon questions the Minister for Water regarding increased groundwater extraction from the Gnangara Mound, seeking details on extraction volumes, operating strategies, and the status of the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy (GSS). The Minister provides data on extraction, confirms the existence of an operating strategy (though not publicly available), and explains delays in finalizing the GSS.
AnsweredQoN 3172Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Gnangara Mound – Integrated Water Supply Scheme groundwater use by aquifer and ask -
(1) In the recently announced decision by Department of Water to approve a 25 per cent increase in extraction from the over-allocated Gnangara mound, how much water will be extracted from -
(a) the superficial aquifer;
(b) the Leederville aquifer;
(c) the Yarragadee aquifer; and
(d) the Mirrabooka aquifer?
(2) Has the Water Corporation completed the required groundwater extraction Operating Strategy for the Gnangara Groundwater Mound?
(3) Will the Minister now table the required Water Corporation Operating Strategy for water extracted from the Gnangara Mound, as required through the application of Department of Water Operating Policy 1.2, Water Conservation and Efficiency Plans?
(4) If no to (2), how is the Department of Water able to make best science informed decisions regarding the triple-bottom line sustainability of the proposal without the current operating strategy?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) What was the strong recommendation from the draft report of the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy regarding the sustainable volume of extraction of groundwater from the Gnangara Groundwater Mound?
(7) When did the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy start examining the multiple complex issues regarding the sustainability of the Gnangara Groundwater Mound?
(8) A significant number of reports were generated throughout the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy process. How many reports were produced and what subjects did they cover?
(9) When did the Department of Water conduct a technical symposium to present the research findings?
(10) When was the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy draft report offered for public comment?
(11) When did the public comment period for the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy close?
(12) Will the Minister finally release the final Gnangara Sustainability Strategy report in the spring session of Parliament?
(13) If no to (12), why not?
(14) Why has it taken the Government so long to act on and implement this crucial and valuable project?
(1) In the recently announced decision by Department of Water to approve a 25 per cent increase in extraction from the over-allocated Gnangara mound, how much water will be extracted from -
(a) the superficial aquifer;
(b) the Leederville aquifer;
(c) the Yarragadee aquifer; and
(d) the Mirrabooka aquifer?
(2) Has the Water Corporation completed the required groundwater extraction Operating Strategy for the Gnangara Groundwater Mound?
(3) Will the Minister now table the required Water Corporation Operating Strategy for water extracted from the Gnangara Mound, as required through the application of Department of Water Operating Policy 1.2, Water Conservation and Efficiency Plans?
(4) If no to (2), how is the Department of Water able to make best science informed decisions regarding the triple-bottom line sustainability of the proposal without the current operating strategy?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) What was the strong recommendation from the draft report of the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy regarding the sustainable volume of extraction of groundwater from the Gnangara Groundwater Mound?
(7) When did the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy start examining the multiple complex issues regarding the sustainability of the Gnangara Groundwater Mound?
(8) A significant number of reports were generated throughout the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy process. How many reports were produced and what subjects did they cover?
(9) When did the Department of Water conduct a technical symposium to present the research findings?
(10) When was the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy draft report offered for public comment?
(11) When did the public comment period for the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy close?
(12) Will the Minister finally release the final Gnangara Sustainability Strategy report in the spring session of Parliament?
(13) If no to (12), why not?
(14) Why has it taken the Government so long to act on and implement this crucial and valuable project?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 February 2011
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Water
Response time
90 days
(1) Superficial Aquifer = 48.25 Giga Litre (GL)
Leederville Aquifer = 48.56 GL
Yarragadee Aquifer = 50.50 GL
Mirrabooka Aquifer = 4.40 GL
(2) Yes.
(3) No.
(4) The conditions that the Water Corporation has to meet to take up to 165GL under 'exceptional circumstances' are described in the Department of Water Gnangara Groundwater Allocation Plan. The Water Corporation 'take' for 2010/11 is 11 GL less from the superficial aquifer than in 2006/07, and is distributed away from bores in environmentally sensitive areas.
(5) Access to operating strategies are only available through a Freedom of Information Process, as provision of such strategies are a licence condition and may contain sensitive commercial information.
(6) The Gnangara Sustainability Strategy (GSS) recommended that abstraction for public water supply should be set between 135 and 100 GL per year, with an annual average abstraction rate of 110 GL per year from existing infrastructure, when the southern water desalination plant is commissioned.
(7) 2007
(8) 39. Technical reports covered environmental management, hydrogeological modelling, biodiversity and ecological linkages, economic viability of differing water uses, fire regimes, and wetland and wetland management. These reports are publicly available via the Department of Water website.
(9) 7 and 8 April 2009.
(10) The GSS was released for public comment on 6 July 2009 for an 8 week period.
(11) 31 August 2009.
(12-13) The GSS is being finalised by the Department of Water following which the Minister for Water will determine when and how it will be released and how it will be implemented.
(14) The process is taking longer than anticipated because of the complex issues associated with the recommendations. The funding model for the implementation plan is being finalised by the Department of Water.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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Leederville Aquifer = 48.56 GL
Yarragadee Aquifer = 50.50 GL
Mirrabooka Aquifer = 4.40 GL
(2) Yes.
(3) No.
(4) The conditions that the Water Corporation has to meet to take up to 165GL under 'exceptional circumstances' are described in the Department of Water Gnangara Groundwater Allocation Plan. The Water Corporation 'take' for 2010/11 is 11 GL less from the superficial aquifer than in 2006/07, and is distributed away from bores in environmentally sensitive areas.
(5) Access to operating strategies are only available through a Freedom of Information Process, as provision of such strategies are a licence condition and may contain sensitive commercial information.
(6) The Gnangara Sustainability Strategy (GSS) recommended that abstraction for public water supply should be set between 135 and 100 GL per year, with an annual average abstraction rate of 110 GL per year from existing infrastructure, when the southern water desalination plant is commissioned.
(7) 2007
(8) 39. Technical reports covered environmental management, hydrogeological modelling, biodiversity and ecological linkages, economic viability of differing water uses, fire regimes, and wetland and wetland management. These reports are publicly available via the Department of Water website.
(9) 7 and 8 April 2009.
(10) The GSS was released for public comment on 6 July 2009 for an 8 week period.
(11) 31 August 2009.
(12-13) The GSS is being finalised by the Department of Water following which the Minister for Water will determine when and how it will be released and how it will be implemented.
(14) The process is taking longer than anticipated because of the complex issues associated with the recommendations. The funding model for the implementation plan is being finalised by the Department of Water.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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