❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the potential extension of water licence fees to private agricultural entities, the consistency of fees across sectors, and whether the proposed fees break an election promise. The Minister's response defers decisions pending consultation.
AnsweredQoN 756Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION —COST RECOVERY DISCUSSION PAPER
756. Hon COLIN TINCKNELL to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to the ''Discussion
Paper on cost recovery for the Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation: Supporting the delivery of improved environmental and water
regulation''.
(1) Will the proposed water licence
fees extend to private agricultural entities?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) can the minister
confirm that the proposed water licence fee to be charged to private
agriculture entities will be the same amount as that quoted under table 5 and
that water licence and permit fee structures will apply only to mining and
public water supply scheme sectors; and
(b) if not, how much will be charged?
(3) Given the
Labor government's promise during the 2017 election campaign that there
would be no new fees, charges and taxes on business, does this break the
government's election promise by introducing new fees and charges? �
(4) Is the upcoming meeting to be
held in consultation with stakeholders a restricted meeting?
(5) If yes to (4), why is it
restricted to certain stakeholders?
(6) Can the
minister provide a list of the stakeholders who will be consulted during the
consultation period for the discussion paper?
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION —COST RECOVERY DISCUSSION PAPER
756. Hon COLIN TINCKNELL to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to the ''Discussion
Paper on cost recovery for the Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation: Supporting the delivery of improved environmental and water
regulation''.
(1) Will the proposed water licence
fees extend to private agricultural entities?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) can the minister
confirm that the proposed water licence fee to be charged to private
agriculture entities will be the same amount as that quoted under table 5 and
that water licence and permit fee structures will apply only to mining and
public water supply scheme sectors; and
(b) if not, how much will be charged?
(3) Given the
Labor government's promise during the 2017 election campaign that there
would be no new fees, charges and taxes on business, does this break the
government's election promise by introducing new fees and charges? �
(4) Is the upcoming meeting to be
held in consultation with stakeholders a restricted meeting?
(5) If yes to (4), why is it
restricted to certain stakeholders?
(6) Can the
minister provide a list of the stakeholders who will be consulted during the
consultation period for the discussion paper?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
The Minister for Water has provided the following information.
(1) The
government will decide whether fees will be introduced to other sectors
following the consultation process.
(2) Not
applicable.
(3) No decision has been made about
the introduction of fees to other sectors.
(4) No. The consultation workshops
are publicly advertised and any interested persons may attend.
(5) Not applicable.
(6) Yes. I table the membership of the Water Resources
Reform Reference Group and the Regulatory Services Stakeholder Reference
Group. These organisations have agreed to engage their membership on the
discussion paper. Also tabled are a list of special interest stakeholders who
will be consulted directly.
In addition,
the discussion paper is publicly available on the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation's website.
[See paper 1742.]
The Minister for Water has provided the following information.
(1) The
government will decide whether fees will be introduced to other sectors
following the consultation process.
(2) Not
applicable.
(3) No decision has been made about
the introduction of fees to other sectors.
(4) No. The consultation workshops
are publicly advertised and any interested persons may attend.
(5) Not applicable.
(6) Yes. I table the membership of the Water Resources
Reform Reference Group and the Regulatory Services Stakeholder Reference
Group. These organisations have agreed to engage their membership on the
discussion paper. Also tabled are a list of special interest stakeholders who
will be consulted directly.
In addition,
the discussion paper is publicly available on the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation's website.
[See paper 1742.]
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