❓ This WA parliamentary question seeks detailed information regarding groundwater allocation limits, scientific basis for these limits, research conducted, and potential environmental impacts in the East Murchison and Goldfields Groundwater Areas, particularly around Wiluna. It also inquires about a mining guideline and the department's knowledge of groundwater resources.
AnsweredQoN 6206Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 3271 asked 15 February 2011, and ask —
(1) In which Department of Water documents is information regarding the allocation limits for each sub-area of the East Murchison and Goldfields Groundwater Areas described?
(2) Are these documents publicly available, and if so, where?
(3) If no to (2), please table the documents.
(4) If no to (3), please state why not.
(5) Please describe the scientific basis (such as annual recharge rates, et cetera) behind the department's setting of allocation limits within —
(a) the East Murchison Groundwater Area; and
(b) the Goldfields Groundwater Area.
(6) In relation to (5), is scientific information to support the setting of allocation limits within the East Murchison Groundwater Area and the Goldfields Groundwater Area publicly available?
(7) If yes to (6), where is it and what are the names of relevant documents?
(8) If no to (6), please table the relevant documents.
(9) If no to (8), please state why not.
(10) In relation to (5), what on-the-ground research has the department conducted in each groundwater area and when was the last year or years that this was done?
(11) What is the total annual groundwater allocation limit for each of the sub-areas within the East Murchison and Goldfields groundwater areas?
(12) In relation to (11), what distinction, if any, is made between hyper-saline and less saline (brackish to fresh) groundwater resources? Please provide details for each sub-area if this distinction is made.
(13) What research, if any, is the Department of Water aware of, into the impacts of current and projected water consumption on the samphire habitat and stygofauna populations in the Wiluna area, in particular in the vicinity of Lake Way?
(14) Is the department aware of any studies having been conducted or planned on the cumulative impact of water use in the vicinity of Wiluna?
(15) Would the Minister for Water consider initiating a study into the cumulative impacts of current water users, projected water use, groundwater recharge rates and environmental requirements in and around Wiluna?
(16) If no to (15), why not?
(17) Please provide an update on the progress of the 'mining guideline' that was to be developed by the department to assist in guiding the licence assessment process.
(18) Would the phrase 'detailed and certain' be an accurate description of the department's current state of knowledge of available groundwater resources within the East Murchison and Goldfields groundwater areas?
(19) If no to (19), what is a more accurate description?
(1) In which Department of Water documents is information regarding the allocation limits for each sub-area of the East Murchison and Goldfields Groundwater Areas described?
(2) Are these documents publicly available, and if so, where?
(3) If no to (2), please table the documents.
(4) If no to (3), please state why not.
(5) Please describe the scientific basis (such as annual recharge rates, et cetera) behind the department's setting of allocation limits within —
(a) the East Murchison Groundwater Area; and
(b) the Goldfields Groundwater Area.
(6) In relation to (5), is scientific information to support the setting of allocation limits within the East Murchison Groundwater Area and the Goldfields Groundwater Area publicly available?
(7) If yes to (6), where is it and what are the names of relevant documents?
(8) If no to (6), please table the relevant documents.
(9) If no to (8), please state why not.
(10) In relation to (5), what on-the-ground research has the department conducted in each groundwater area and when was the last year or years that this was done?
(11) What is the total annual groundwater allocation limit for each of the sub-areas within the East Murchison and Goldfields groundwater areas?
(12) In relation to (11), what distinction, if any, is made between hyper-saline and less saline (brackish to fresh) groundwater resources? Please provide details for each sub-area if this distinction is made.
(13) What research, if any, is the Department of Water aware of, into the impacts of current and projected water consumption on the samphire habitat and stygofauna populations in the Wiluna area, in particular in the vicinity of Lake Way?
(14) Is the department aware of any studies having been conducted or planned on the cumulative impact of water use in the vicinity of Wiluna?
(15) Would the Minister for Water consider initiating a study into the cumulative impacts of current water users, projected water use, groundwater recharge rates and environmental requirements in and around Wiluna?
(16) If no to (15), why not?
(17) Please provide an update on the progress of the 'mining guideline' that was to be developed by the department to assist in guiding the licence assessment process.
(18) Would the phrase 'detailed and certain' be an accurate description of the department's current state of knowledge of available groundwater resources within the East Murchison and Goldfields groundwater areas?
(19) If no to (19), what is a more accurate description?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Water
Response time
28 days
Refer to Question on notice LC 6184
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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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