❓ Mr. Catania questions the delay in establishing a flood fund for Carnarvon fruit and vegetable growers, despite the Premier's earlier promise. The Premier explains the delays were due to heritage issues and regulatory approvals, but expects soil access soon.
AnsweredQoN 287Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CARNARVON
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS — FLOOD FUND
287. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's promise in February 2021
that a re-elected McGowan Labor government would move to immediately establish
a $1 million fund to support fruit and vegetable growers in Carnarvon impacted
by recent flooding. Given that the Minister for Agriculture and Food said
yesterday that a flood fund has now been elevated to priority status, why was
this not considered a priority previously, given that growers are already
halfway through their season?
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS — FLOOD FUND
287. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's promise in February 2021
that a re-elected McGowan Labor government would move to immediately establish
a $1 million fund to support fruit and vegetable growers in Carnarvon impacted
by recent flooding. Given that the Minister for Agriculture and Food said
yesterday that a flood fund has now been elevated to priority status, why was
this not considered a priority previously, given that growers are already
halfway through their season?
AnswerView source ↗
The floods that occurred in Carnarvon were obviously very
difficult and devastating for some farmers in that community. I went and
visited the day after, or the day after that, and saw some of the results of
the flooding that occurred. That was worse than in past years. The total volume
of the soil that was lost is estimated to be about 43 700 cubic metres. We made a commitment of $1 million during the
election campaign in order to assist in dealing with that. There has
been some extensive effort to ensure that we could provide additional soil back
onto some of the affected properties. An assessment was made to identify whether
there were any small pits from mining leases that could be accessed quickly.
Suitable soil was identified on one active lease operated by a local provider
with capacity to deliver. However, it turned out that that was a sacred site
for the local Aboriginal people; therefore, significant heritage issues
prevented that soil being used.
Two sites have now been identified as preferred sources of
soil on land designated for the Gascoyne food bowl project. Both blocks are
available and both are crown land. The department is progressing the regulatory
approvals required before accessing the
soil. The department will identify a preferred local provider to mine and
supply the soil through a request that will be released later this week,
I am advised. We anticipate there will be access to suitable soil within two to
three weeks.
difficult and devastating for some farmers in that community. I went and
visited the day after, or the day after that, and saw some of the results of
the flooding that occurred. That was worse than in past years. The total volume
of the soil that was lost is estimated to be about 43 700 cubic metres. We made a commitment of $1 million during the
election campaign in order to assist in dealing with that. There has
been some extensive effort to ensure that we could provide additional soil back
onto some of the affected properties. An assessment was made to identify whether
there were any small pits from mining leases that could be accessed quickly.
Suitable soil was identified on one active lease operated by a local provider
with capacity to deliver. However, it turned out that that was a sacred site
for the local Aboriginal people; therefore, significant heritage issues
prevented that soil being used.
Two sites have now been identified as preferred sources of
soil on land designated for the Gascoyne food bowl project. Both blocks are
available and both are crown land. The department is progressing the regulatory
approvals required before accessing the
soil. The department will identify a preferred local provider to mine and
supply the soil through a request that will be released later this week,
I am advised. We anticipate there will be access to suitable soil within two to
three weeks.
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