❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about water extraction from the Yarragadee aquifer and Blackwood River, focusing on environmental impact assessments, departmental responsibilities, and potential conflicts of interest. The Minister acknowledges an error regarding assessment timelines and clarifies departmental roles and oversight mechanisms.
AnsweredQoN 232Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
YARRAGADEE AQUIFER - MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
I refer to questions without notice 9 of 14 March and 97 of 23 March regarding the management responsibilities for the Yarragadee aquifer. (1) Given that the Department of Water does not expect to complete an assessment of the environmental water provisions of the Blackwood River until 2007, how can the proposal to extract water be considered before this proposal is completed? (2) Why is the work being carried out by the Department of Water and not the Department of Environment? (3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to questions without notice 9 of 14 March and 97 of 23 March regarding the management responsibilities for the Yarragadee aquifer. (1) Given that the Department of Water does not expect to complete an assessment of the environmental water provisions of the Blackwood River until 2007, how can the proposal to extract water be considered before this proposal is completed? (2) Why is the work being carried out by the Department of Water and not the Department of Environment? (3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(1) Given that the Department of Water does not expect to complete an assessment of the environmental water provisions of the Blackwood River until 2007, how can the proposal to extract water be considered before this proposal is completed? (2) Why is the work being carried out by the Department of Water and not the Department of Environment? (3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(2) Why is the work being carried out by the Department of Water and not the Department of Environment? (3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(1) Given that the Department of Water does not expect to complete an assessment of the environmental water provisions of the Blackwood River until 2007, how can the proposal to extract water be considered before this proposal is completed? (2) Why is the work being carried out by the Department of Water and not the Department of Environment? (3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(2) Why is the work being carried out by the Department of Water and not the Department of Environment? (3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(3) How can the minister assure the house that there will be no conflict of interest between the Minister for Water Resources, who is responsible for the extraction of water from the Blackwood River and the Yarragadee aquifer by the Water Corporation, and the Department of Water when providing advice on ecological water requirements? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for some notice of the question. (1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(1) It seems that the government owes an apology with regard to the first question. The Department of Water has advised that the assessment of the environmental water provisions for the Blackwood River from Nannup to Hut Pool should be completed by mid-2006, not 2007. There appears to have been a typographical error in reply to part (7) of question without notice 97. (2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(2) The Department of Water is the state’s primary water resources management agency. In administering the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, the department has responsibility for the provision of water for the environment as part of its water allocation role. (3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
(3) The Department of Water has no vested interest in the taking of water and it provides objective advice to the government on water allocation matters, including water for the environment. For environmentally significant proposals, the proposed environmental water provisions are reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, part IV, “Environmental impact assessment”. The final environmental water provisions are determined by the Minister for the Environment in consultation with the Minister for Water Resources.
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