❓ Mr. Logan questions water supply adequacy for Pilbara subdivisions. Dr. Jacobs assures of government's water planning efforts, exploring various options like bore fields and desalination, criticising the previous government's approach.
AnsweredQoN 442Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PILBARA WATER SUPPLIES — SUBDIVISIONS
I refer to the expansion of housing in Karratha and the plans for the Shire of Roebourne to provide further subdivisions. (1) Is it the case that the Water Corporation has advised the Shire of Roebourne to not approve or develop further housing or subdivisions? (2) Does this not demonstrate that there is a severe lack of water and water planning by the minister’s government in the Pilbara? (3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I refer to the expansion of housing in Karratha and the plans for the Shire of Roebourne to provide further subdivisions. (1) Is it the case that the Water Corporation has advised the Shire of Roebourne to not approve or develop further housing or subdivisions? (2) Does this not demonstrate that there is a severe lack of water and water planning by the minister’s government in the Pilbara? (3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(1) Is it the case that the Water Corporation has advised the Shire of Roebourne to not approve or develop further housing or subdivisions? (2) Does this not demonstrate that there is a severe lack of water and water planning by the minister’s government in the Pilbara? (3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(2) Does this not demonstrate that there is a severe lack of water and water planning by the minister’s government in the Pilbara? (3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(1) Is it the case that the Water Corporation has advised the Shire of Roebourne to not approve or develop further housing or subdivisions? (2) Does this not demonstrate that there is a severe lack of water and water planning by the minister’s government in the Pilbara? (3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(2) Does this not demonstrate that there is a severe lack of water and water planning by the minister’s government in the Pilbara? (3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(3) If so, does the minister support this advice from the Water Corporation? (4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(4) What is in the budget for new water sources in the Pilbara? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
I thank the member for Cockburn for the question. (1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
(1)–(4) The government has done a deal of work on Pilbara water. We have recognised, of course, that there is a plan called Pilbara Revitalisation. Revitalisation will not occur without water. In Karratha, Port Hedland and surrounds, there are plans for water into the future for the Pilbara. In the eight years that the opposition was in government, the planning for water in the Pilbara essentially went from cyclone to cyclone. That was its plan for water for the Pilbara. Its plans were about rain from cyclones; our plan is to explore—the member for Midland may laugh—by an expression-of-interest process, all the possibilities for water in the Pilbara. In particular, in answer to the member’s question on Roebourne — Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr F.M. Logan : No, not on Roebourne; on the Shire of Roebourne. Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : — Roebourne and the Shire of Roebourne, there are some limitations on future development. However, more than 300 units will be allowed to be built. After that, however — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You’re still exploring. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : Those units have not been built yet, so there is room for planning and room for development with the water resource we have. However, we need to do more work to accommodate the increased development and the increased population—all those things that are going to put pressure on the water supply. We have a Pilbara water plan; we have released the Pilbara water plan. The member for Cockburn is aware of that. It refers to the resources that the member for Midland is laughing at and where we see the resources into the future. I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
I have visited the Pilbara on many occasions in the past six months, and the options are to develop certain bore fields in the Pilbara to supply the Shire of Roebourne, Port Hedland and, in particular, Karratha, which has significant demands. Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr J.N. Hyde : What about Onslow? Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : And Onslow. I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
I know that previously the member for Cockburn has basically pooh-poohed the expression-of-interest process. Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Mr F.M. Logan : Sorry? Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : He has. He has basically said, “You’ve got a plan or a plan has already been done. Why do you need to have an expression-of-interest process in the Pilbara to explore the potential of water and water resources?” I will tell the member why: because there are a significant number of proponents, including private industry and private mining companies, that have some ideas about how they could work in partnership with the government, not only to develop the resource in partnership in a project, but also to examine the use of various sources of water, including groundwater, as well as the potential for desalination. The desalination component could involve private industry. It could be that desalination would be a stand-alone component. However, it would be in conjunction with the development of bore fields—for instance, the potential to develop Rio Tinto’s Bungaroo bore field, and the potential to develop the Solomon bore field with Fortescue Metals Group. There are all sorts of ways to do this. Basically, I wanted to get all these options on the table so that the government could work together with proponents, with stakeholders, to move forward into the future to develop the water resource so that we can revitalise the Pilbara.
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Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.