Hon Alison Xamon asks about the legal protections for landowners' groundwater use in WA, specifically concerning contamination, drawdown, and methane release related to hydraulic fracturing. The Minister for Water responds by citing relevant legislation.

AnsweredQoN 3902Legislative Council
Asked
17 May 2011
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to question on notice No. 3684, and ask -
What laws and regulations currently exist in Western Australia to protect landowners’ groundwater use should hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’ occur on their land or adjoining land, with regards to -
a) contamination of groundwater;
b) drawdown of the water table; and
c) uncontrolled methane release?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
28 June 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Water
Response time
42 days
The Minister for Water provides the following response:
a) Fracturing activities are currently regulated under the
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967
and the
Petroleum Act 1967 Schedule of Onshore Petroleum Exploration and Production Requirements 1991.
Where appropriate, projects are forwarded to the Environmental Protection Authority for assessment under Western Australia's
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
b) The taking of groundwater is regulated under the
Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914
(RiWI Act), which is the principal Western Australian statute governing the regulation, management, use and protection of water resources.
c) Any gas release is regulated under Western Australia's
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
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