❓ Hon Dee Margetts questions the government's plan to review water allocation and cost for Worsley Alumina, given WA's water shortage. The Minister clarifies Worsley primarily uses its own water, only purchasing from the Water Corp in 2001 due to drought, and is now contributing water back.
AnsweredQoN 622Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Considerable notice has been given of this question. With regard to the Water Corporation’s allocation of Harris River Dam water to Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd, I ask - (1) Is the Government planning to review the amount of water allocated to Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd, as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973, in light of the current water shortage in Western Australia? (2) Is the Government planning to review the cost of the current allocation of water to Worsley Alumina as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973? Hon KEN TRAVERS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
(1) Is the Government planning to review the amount of water allocated to Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd, as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973, in light of the current water shortage in Western Australia? (2) Is the Government planning to review the cost of the current allocation of water to Worsley Alumina as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
(2) Is the Government planning to review the cost of the current allocation of water to Worsley Alumina as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
(1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
(1) Is the Government planning to review the amount of water allocated to Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd, as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973, in light of the current water shortage in Western Australia? (2) Is the Government planning to review the cost of the current allocation of water to Worsley Alumina as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
(2) Is the Government planning to review the cost of the current allocation of water to Worsley Alumina as outlined in the Alumina Refinery (Worsley) Agreement Act 1973? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
I thank the member for the considerable notice of this question. The answer has been waiting some considerable time to be given. Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
Hon Kim Chance: It’s probably out of date. Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
Hon KEN TRAVERS: I had it updated in the interim. I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
I am advised as follows - (1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
(1)-(2) Since the commencement of alumina refining operations in 1984, Worsley has supplied all its water requirements from within its refinery lease. However, due to poor winter rains in 2001, Worsley was forced for the first time in its operating history to purchase one gigalitre of water to supplement its own water resource. This water was purchased from the Water Corporation at commercial prices and was supplied from the Harris Dam. Without this purchase, it is estimated that the refinery would have cut annual production by approximately 145 000 tonnes of alumina, which has an export revenue value of approximately $A45 million. Worsley is planning this year to provide 150 megalitres of water from its own freshwater lake to the Water Corporation at no cost, in addition to its statutory basal flow release of 35 cubic metres per hour. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd does not have a water allocation from the State’s public water resource facilities.
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