Hon Norman Moore asks about the derivation of surface water resource estimates in the south west drainage region, including sustainable yield, freshwater proportion, and environmental allocation. The Minister for the Environment provides details on the estimation process, freshwater quality, and specific volumes.

AnsweredQoN 1572Legislative Council
Asked
2 December 2003
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

I refer the minister to estimates of our surface water resources published in the state water strategy and ask - (1) How was the estimate derived for the sustainable yield of surface water resources and current use in the south west drainage region as shown on page 5 of the strategy? (2) How much of the estimated yield and current use reflects fresh water? (3) What is the total estimated volume of surface water resource from the south west drainage divisions including water allocated for the environment? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) The estimate was derived as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which is a joint state-commonwealth project. The sustainable yield was based on estimates of the quantities of water that could be supplied from reservoirs at existing and potential dam sites, and it was based on a notional allowance of water required for the environment. All estimates are preliminary and are subject to more detailed investigation and planning. (2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
(1) How was the estimate derived for the sustainable yield of surface water resources and current use in the south west drainage region as shown on page 5 of the strategy? (2) How much of the estimated yield and current use reflects fresh water? (3) What is the total estimated volume of surface water resource from the south west drainage divisions including water allocated for the environment? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) The estimate was derived as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which is a joint state-commonwealth project. The sustainable yield was based on estimates of the quantities of water that could be supplied from reservoirs at existing and potential dam sites, and it was based on a notional allowance of water required for the environment. All estimates are preliminary and are subject to more detailed investigation and planning. (2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
(2) How much of the estimated yield and current use reflects fresh water? (3) What is the total estimated volume of surface water resource from the south west drainage divisions including water allocated for the environment? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) The estimate was derived as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which is a joint state-commonwealth project. The sustainable yield was based on estimates of the quantities of water that could be supplied from reservoirs at existing and potential dam sites, and it was based on a notional allowance of water required for the environment. All estimates are preliminary and are subject to more detailed investigation and planning. (2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
(3) What is the total estimated volume of surface water resource from the south west drainage divisions including water allocated for the environment? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) The estimate was derived as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which is a joint state-commonwealth project. The sustainable yield was based on estimates of the quantities of water that could be supplied from reservoirs at existing and potential dam sites, and it was based on a notional allowance of water required for the environment. All estimates are preliminary and are subject to more detailed investigation and planning. (2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) The estimate was derived as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which is a joint state-commonwealth project. The sustainable yield was based on estimates of the quantities of water that could be supplied from reservoirs at existing and potential dam sites, and it was based on a notional allowance of water required for the environment. All estimates are preliminary and are subject to more detailed investigation and planning. (2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) The estimate was derived as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which is a joint state-commonwealth project. The sustainable yield was based on estimates of the quantities of water that could be supplied from reservoirs at existing and potential dam sites, and it was based on a notional allowance of water required for the environment. All estimates are preliminary and are subject to more detailed investigation and planning. (2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
(1) The estimate was derived as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which is a joint state-commonwealth project. The sustainable yield was based on estimates of the quantities of water that could be supplied from reservoirs at existing and potential dam sites, and it was based on a notional allowance of water required for the environment. All estimates are preliminary and are subject to more detailed investigation and planning. (2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
(2) About 94 per cent of the total sustainable yield of the State’s water is fresh water, and is of marginal quality. (3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.
(3) The total estimated sustainable yield from the south west drainage division is 1 608 gigalitres per year and the amount nominally allocated to the environment is 1 327 gigalitres per year. The estimates are refined after detailed investigation and planning occurs, and as the resources are developed.

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