❓ Question regarding Busselton Water's consultation process and public health risk assessment related to the proposed chlorination of the Busselton water supply, with concerns raised about public unrest. The Minister's response details consultation efforts, customer preferences, and justifications for the chlorination decision.
AnsweredQoN 2658Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the information sessions conducted by Busselton Water regarding the proposed chlorination of the Busselton water supply, and ask -
(1) Has Busselton Water consulted with customers regarding the proposed chlorination of water within its operational area?
(2) If yes to (1), what have been the results from that consultation?
(3) If no to (1), is it a condition of its operating license issued by the Economic Regulatory Authority that Busselton Water must consult and solicit customer opinion regarding the provision of water services?
(4) If yes to (3), what have been the results from that consultation and solicitation of public opinion?
(5) Has Busselton Water complied with the conditions of its operating license?
(6) Is the Minister aware of significant public unrest, about the way Busselton Water has conducted consultation and solicitation of opinion from customers?
(7) What public health risk assessment has Busselton Water undertaken, in addition to the commissioned Hunter Water review?
(1) Has Busselton Water consulted with customers regarding the proposed chlorination of water within its operational area?
(2) If yes to (1), what have been the results from that consultation?
(3) If no to (1), is it a condition of its operating license issued by the Economic Regulatory Authority that Busselton Water must consult and solicit customer opinion regarding the provision of water services?
(4) If yes to (3), what have been the results from that consultation and solicitation of public opinion?
(5) Has Busselton Water complied with the conditions of its operating license?
(6) Is the Minister aware of significant public unrest, about the way Busselton Water has conducted consultation and solicitation of opinion from customers?
(7) What public health risk assessment has Busselton Water undertaken, in addition to the commissioned Hunter Water review?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 September 2010
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Water
Response time
36 days
(1) Yes. Busselton Water's ongoing consultation with customers, included surveys carried out between 2007 and 2009 (which included questions to solicit customers' opinions with regards to the preferred methods of disinfection used).
Busselton Water had informed its customers in 2008 that service planning was underway to ensure compliance with the 2004 ADWG and to review the necessity for chlorination equipment for Busselton Water to discharge its service delivery obligations. Namely:
1) the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 Annual Reports published by Busselton Water confirmed the engagement of Hunter Water Australia to assist Busselton Water to meet the requirements of the 2004 ADWG; and
2) the 2008/2009 Annual Report states:
"Water quality is the organisation's highest priority and with a now more collective focus on water quality issues a number of accomplishments have occurred. These include:-
· The commissioning of a report into available and recommended disinfection regimes
· The acquisition of 3 portable chlorination units
· The appointment of a dedicated Water Quality Projects Co-ordinator"
As part of the ongoing engagement with the community on this important issue, Busselton Water has twice written to its customers, has held information forums to assist people to understand the decision, compiled and distributed a vast array of additional information and met with people when requested on a number of occasions to discuss the matter.
(2) The customer surveys had repeatedly indicated that customers preferred UV as the method of disinfection and were not in favour of chlorination of the water supply.
(3) Albeit the answer to question (1) is "Yes" it should be noted that:
Busselton Water's Operating Licence and Customer Charter do not require specific consultation to occur prior to decisions being made. Rather, customer consultation must occur to inform customers and proactively solicit customer opinion with respect to Busselton Water's 'operations and delivery of services'.
This has occurred both prior to and after the receipt of expert advice, and the Board's deliberations into full-time chlorination. Busselton Water has additionally been meticulous in following up and considering all issues raised via forum feedback sheets, unsolicited letters, letter to the press, local government requests etc. This constitutes part of the ongoing customer consultation regime reflecting a genuine and open approach to customers.
(4) As stated: The customer surveys had repeatedly indicated that customers preferred UV as the method of disinfection and were not in favour of chlorination of the water supply.
Feedback received post the decision has been mixed. A large number have understood the reasons for the decision whilst others reiterated they were not in favour.
The Busselton Shire Council has publicly advised that it supports the decision of the Board of Busselton Water
(5) Yes
(6) The Board has a duty of care to provide a safe and reliable supply of drinking water. The Minister is aware of some concerns being expressed by persons not in favour of the Board's decision relative to chlorination. The Minister has no statistical evidence that these persons constitute "significant public unrest" as far as Busselton Water is aware.
Busselton Water has worked closely with the Minister for Water and the Minister for Health relative to the Board's decision to chlorinate the water supply to protect the health and safety of the people of Busselton.
(7) Hunter Water Australia are experts in their field and operate both nationally and internationally. Their advice and that received at an officer level from the Department of Health are what the Board of Busselton Water has used in its determinations.
In addition and subsequently:
Dr. Richard Lugg of the Department of Health has publicly briefed the Shire Councillors, and the public of Busselton on chlorination and water safety [see tabled paper no].
Dr. Clemencia Rodriguez of the Department of Health attended 3 of the 4 community forums to answer community questions.
Dr. Rino Trolio briefed Shire Councillors, public gallery and shire staff on Naegleria Lovaniensis and Naegleria Fowleri control measures using chlorine as a residual.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Busselton Water had informed its customers in 2008 that service planning was underway to ensure compliance with the 2004 ADWG and to review the necessity for chlorination equipment for Busselton Water to discharge its service delivery obligations. Namely:
1) the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 Annual Reports published by Busselton Water confirmed the engagement of Hunter Water Australia to assist Busselton Water to meet the requirements of the 2004 ADWG; and
2) the 2008/2009 Annual Report states:
"Water quality is the organisation's highest priority and with a now more collective focus on water quality issues a number of accomplishments have occurred. These include:-
· The commissioning of a report into available and recommended disinfection regimes
· The acquisition of 3 portable chlorination units
· The appointment of a dedicated Water Quality Projects Co-ordinator"
As part of the ongoing engagement with the community on this important issue, Busselton Water has twice written to its customers, has held information forums to assist people to understand the decision, compiled and distributed a vast array of additional information and met with people when requested on a number of occasions to discuss the matter.
(2) The customer surveys had repeatedly indicated that customers preferred UV as the method of disinfection and were not in favour of chlorination of the water supply.
(3) Albeit the answer to question (1) is "Yes" it should be noted that:
Busselton Water's Operating Licence and Customer Charter do not require specific consultation to occur prior to decisions being made. Rather, customer consultation must occur to inform customers and proactively solicit customer opinion with respect to Busselton Water's 'operations and delivery of services'.
This has occurred both prior to and after the receipt of expert advice, and the Board's deliberations into full-time chlorination. Busselton Water has additionally been meticulous in following up and considering all issues raised via forum feedback sheets, unsolicited letters, letter to the press, local government requests etc. This constitutes part of the ongoing customer consultation regime reflecting a genuine and open approach to customers.
(4) As stated: The customer surveys had repeatedly indicated that customers preferred UV as the method of disinfection and were not in favour of chlorination of the water supply.
Feedback received post the decision has been mixed. A large number have understood the reasons for the decision whilst others reiterated they were not in favour.
The Busselton Shire Council has publicly advised that it supports the decision of the Board of Busselton Water
(5) Yes
(6) The Board has a duty of care to provide a safe and reliable supply of drinking water. The Minister is aware of some concerns being expressed by persons not in favour of the Board's decision relative to chlorination. The Minister has no statistical evidence that these persons constitute "significant public unrest" as far as Busselton Water is aware.
Busselton Water has worked closely with the Minister for Water and the Minister for Health relative to the Board's decision to chlorinate the water supply to protect the health and safety of the people of Busselton.
(7) Hunter Water Australia are experts in their field and operate both nationally and internationally. Their advice and that received at an officer level from the Department of Health are what the Board of Busselton Water has used in its determinations.
In addition and subsequently:
Dr. Richard Lugg of the Department of Health has publicly briefed the Shire Councillors, and the public of Busselton on chlorination and water safety [see tabled paper no].
Dr. Clemencia Rodriguez of the Department of Health attended 3 of the 4 community forums to answer community questions.
Dr. Rino Trolio briefed Shire Councillors, public gallery and shire staff on Naegleria Lovaniensis and Naegleria Fowleri control measures using chlorine as a residual.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
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.