❓ Mr. Logan questions the Minister for Water regarding the Gnangara Mound aquifer's declining health, focusing on increased drawdown rates and decision-making authority. The Minister defends his actions, citing data and highlighting the government's commitment to sustainability, while also criticising the previous Labor government's handling of water management.
AnsweredQoN 399Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GNANGARA MOUND AQUIFER
I draw the attention of the minister to the recently released independent audit for the Department of Environment and Conservation on the rapidly declining health of the Gnangara mound aquifer. (1) The minister oversaw an increase in the drawdown rate on the Gnangara mound for the Water Corporation in December 2008. Will he now reverse his decision in light of the DEC report? (2) Given the audit’s criticism of the minister’s involvement in authorising this temporary overallocation, will he now agree to leave all future decision making to the Minister for Environment? (3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I draw the attention of the minister to the recently released independent audit for the Department of Environment and Conservation on the rapidly declining health of the Gnangara mound aquifer. (1) The minister oversaw an increase in the drawdown rate on the Gnangara mound for the Water Corporation in December 2008. Will he now reverse his decision in light of the DEC report? (2) Given the audit’s criticism of the minister’s involvement in authorising this temporary overallocation, will he now agree to leave all future decision making to the Minister for Environment? (3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(1) The minister oversaw an increase in the drawdown rate on the Gnangara mound for the Water Corporation in December 2008. Will he now reverse his decision in light of the DEC report? (2) Given the audit’s criticism of the minister’s involvement in authorising this temporary overallocation, will he now agree to leave all future decision making to the Minister for Environment? (3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(2) Given the audit’s criticism of the minister’s involvement in authorising this temporary overallocation, will he now agree to leave all future decision making to the Minister for Environment? (3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon.
No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(1) The minister oversaw an increase in the drawdown rate on the Gnangara mound for the Water Corporation in December 2008. Will he now reverse his decision in light of the DEC report? (2) Given the audit’s criticism of the minister’s involvement in authorising this temporary overallocation, will he now agree to leave all future decision making to the Minister for Environment? (3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(2) Given the audit’s criticism of the minister’s involvement in authorising this temporary overallocation, will he now agree to leave all future decision making to the Minister for Environment? (3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(3) The minister has publicly indicated that a new strategy for sustainability will now be developed for the Gnangara mound. What time frame has he put on the completion of the study and when will he make the necessary decision to save Western Australia’s most critical water supply? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question and for his interest in water issues. Along with the rest of the government, I as minister treat very seriously the sustainability of our most important resource. We will pay a lot of attention to the seriousness of the detail. In that detail, it is very important to address the member for Cockburn’s assumption that there has been an overdraw on the Gnangara mound. I have talked about this in answer to a previous question, and I will repeat that information for the edification of the member. In the years from 2001 to 2009, the drawdown levels on the Gnangara mound have been 150 gigalitres, 137 gigalitres, 161 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres, 136 gigalitres and, in the 2008-09 year to date, which finishes on 30 June this year, the drawdown on the Gnangara mound is 116 gigalitres. The member did not get that last time, so I have repeated it. The member for Cockburn must realise that he needs to put a bit of time into studying some of the science, which shows that 10.8 gigalitres of Perth water comes from the Jandakot mound. There is also 84.6 gigalitres of surface water, and there are other important components to supplying a sustainable resource for Perth. The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon. Mr J.N. Hyde : Have you read it? Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
The ministerial conditions established in the 1980s set criteria for water levels at 37 groundwater representative ecosystem sites. These water levels were set at significantly greater rainfall and significantly lower population densities and, therefore, have been difficult to achieve in recent drier years. That is not an excuse. We have an increasing problem with sustainability and members on this side of the house take that seriously. No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon.
No doubt there is the necessity for an expanded management framework, which is what the member for Cockburn referred to in his reference to the Gnangara sustainability strategy into which the Department of Environment and Conservation has had significant input. That strategy will be available for the member for Cockburn to read in a number of weeks. In some weeks the member will be able to read that strategy because I will be releasing it very soon.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : It has not been released yet. How can I read it if it has not been released? Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Several members interjected. Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Mr J.N. HYDE : A bit of advice: read it before you release it. The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
The SPEAKER : The member for Perth! Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : I will deal with Labor’s record in relation to the concern that the member for Cockburn raised. The Department of Water is the regulator of water and DEC provides input into allocation processes. I will outline Labor’s record on this issue. In 2003 an audit report indicated a poor performance by the then Water and Rivers Commission. The result was that the environment and water and rivers agencies were combined. In 2006 the Department of Water was formed to solve the regulation issues that became a problem when Labor combined those two agencies. The member for Cockburn is suggesting that we repeat Labor’s acknowledged mistake of 2003.
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