❓ Hon Paul Llewellyn questions the Minister Assisting the Minister for Water Resources regarding the Fimiston I Tailings Storage Facility, focusing on groundwater management, water quality, and environmental impact mitigation. The Minister's response addresses concerns about salinity, abstraction rates, and long-term environmental planning.
AnsweredQoN 2544Legislative Council
Asked
25 August 2005
Member
Portfolio
Minister Assisting the Minister for Water Resources
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a letter dated January 12 2005, addressed to Hon Robin Chapple, MLC signed by Minister Judy Edwards, titled ‘Fimiston I Tailings Storage Facility Kalgoorlie’ which is owned by Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining, and a letter dated November 9 2004, signed by D Carew Hopkins, Acting Director General titled ‘Independent Technical Review of the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine Pty Ltd’s (KCGM) proposal to raise the Fimiston I tailings storage facility (TSF) -
(1) Is it correct that part of the letter dated November 9 2004, states ‘The primary beneficial use of mining/mineral processing purposes is still considered reasonable, given that the water quality, on a regional basis, is not suitable for other purposes and shallow groundwater is not readily abstractable’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister state the full text from the letter dated November 9 2004?
(3) Can the Minister state the reasons why the Department believes that shallow groundwater is not readily abstractable?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister state the reasons why the water quality on a regional basis, is not suitable for other persons, given at many minesites hypersaline water is collected and desalinated using solar distillation and other processes to produce high quality water?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister state why the Department is only interested in reducing groundwater to historical levels in the longer term, as opposed to clearly focussing on reducing groundwater levels to historical levels in the short term, to ensure that leakage and seepage of water from the tailings storage facility is clearly minimised or mitigated to reduce the risk of both short term and long term environmental problems?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Can the Minister state why the Department clearly has not even focussed on the future beneficial use of the water beyond the life of the current land use, to ensure that it is not compromised given that clearly environmental values of the water may support a beneficial use at some time in the future?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Can the Minister state why the Department has not conducted extensive consultation for the setting of environmental values for the beneficial use of the water, given they often represent long term goals beyond the life of the current land use?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(1) Is it correct that part of the letter dated November 9 2004, states ‘The primary beneficial use of mining/mineral processing purposes is still considered reasonable, given that the water quality, on a regional basis, is not suitable for other purposes and shallow groundwater is not readily abstractable’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister state the full text from the letter dated November 9 2004?
(3) Can the Minister state the reasons why the Department believes that shallow groundwater is not readily abstractable?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister state the reasons why the water quality on a regional basis, is not suitable for other persons, given at many minesites hypersaline water is collected and desalinated using solar distillation and other processes to produce high quality water?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister state why the Department is only interested in reducing groundwater to historical levels in the longer term, as opposed to clearly focussing on reducing groundwater levels to historical levels in the short term, to ensure that leakage and seepage of water from the tailings storage facility is clearly minimised or mitigated to reduce the risk of both short term and long term environmental problems?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Can the Minister state why the Department clearly has not even focussed on the future beneficial use of the water beyond the life of the current land use, to ensure that it is not compromised given that clearly environmental values of the water may support a beneficial use at some time in the future?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Can the Minister state why the Department has not conducted extensive consultation for the setting of environmental values for the beneficial use of the water, given they often represent long term goals beyond the life of the current land use?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 September 2005
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Water Resources
Response time
27 days
(2) N/A. (3) The groundwater on a regional basis is saline to hyper saline and is found in 'tight' geological formations that do not readily allow high groundwater abstraction rates. (4) N/A. (5) Generally most mine sites do not treat hyper saline water to make potable water, but rather use potable or brackish water. Of course this is on a case by case basis and depends on the availability of fresher supplies in the local area. However as a general rule mining operations currently do not treat hyper saline water for potable purposes. (6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(3) The groundwater on a regional basis is saline to hyper saline and is found in 'tight' geological formations that do not readily allow high groundwater abstraction rates. (4) N/A. (5) Generally most mine sites do not treat hyper saline water to make potable water, but rather use potable or brackish water. Of course this is on a case by case basis and depends on the availability of fresher supplies in the local area. However as a general rule mining operations currently do not treat hyper saline water for potable purposes. (6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(4) N/A. (5) Generally most mine sites do not treat hyper saline water to make potable water, but rather use potable or brackish water. Of course this is on a case by case basis and depends on the availability of fresher supplies in the local area. However as a general rule mining operations currently do not treat hyper saline water for potable purposes. (6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(5) Generally most mine sites do not treat hyper saline water to make potable water, but rather use potable or brackish water. Of course this is on a case by case basis and depends on the availability of fresher supplies in the local area. However as a general rule mining operations currently do not treat hyper saline water for potable purposes. (6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(12) N/A.
(3) The groundwater on a regional basis is saline to hyper saline and is found in 'tight' geological formations that do not readily allow high groundwater abstraction rates. (4) N/A. (5) Generally most mine sites do not treat hyper saline water to make potable water, but rather use potable or brackish water. Of course this is on a case by case basis and depends on the availability of fresher supplies in the local area. However as a general rule mining operations currently do not treat hyper saline water for potable purposes. (6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(4) N/A. (5) Generally most mine sites do not treat hyper saline water to make potable water, but rather use potable or brackish water. Of course this is on a case by case basis and depends on the availability of fresher supplies in the local area. However as a general rule mining operations currently do not treat hyper saline water for potable purposes. (6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(5) Generally most mine sites do not treat hyper saline water to make potable water, but rather use potable or brackish water. Of course this is on a case by case basis and depends on the availability of fresher supplies in the local area. However as a general rule mining operations currently do not treat hyper saline water for potable purposes. (6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(6) N/A. (7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(7) The Minister for the Environment made a publicly available determination, as part of Appeals 276 to 288 of 2003, which required Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine (KCGM) to develop a Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan with a focus towards minimising leakage and seepage of water from the tailing storage facility to reduce the risk of both short and long term environmental problems. The Seepage and Groundwater Management Plan will be establishing targets for KCGM to achieve prior to gaining approval for their next 2.5 metre height increase of the Fimiston I tailings storage facility. (8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(8) N/A. (9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(9) The beneficial uses of the hyper saline and saline groundwater have been established through the 'Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan' (Water Authority, June 1994). In developing the plan the establishment of beneficial use has considered the potential future uses of the water in the area. (10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(10) N/A. (11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(11) The Rights in Water and Irrigation Action (1914) was amended in 2000 to include greater community consultation during the setting of environmental values for groundwater resources in the State. The current groundwater management plan for the Goldfields was developed prior to those amendments. The Department of Environment is conducting reviews of all water management plans, and the limited community consultation undertaken in establishing the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan has been noted. This will be addressed when the plan undergoes a major review. However, the review of the Goldfields Groundwater Area Management Plan needs to be considered in a State wide perspective of increased demand for water and as a result this particular review is not an immediate priority. (12) N/A.
(12) N/A.
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