❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Regional Development regarding the geographical limitations of water security grants for the horticulture industry, specifically why they are restricted to the Warren-Donnelly region despite other areas also experiencing drought. The Minister's response defends the allocation based on pre-existing commitments and funding.
AnsweredQoN 489Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WATER SECURITY GRANTS — HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY —
SOUTHERN FOREST
489. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the Cook government's
water security for southern forests horticulture industry grants of up to $100 000
to eligible horticulture producers in the Warren–Donnelly region.
(1) With south
west farmers enduring one of the driest summers in living memory, why have the
grants been restricted to the Warren–Donnelly catchments?
(2) On what
meteorological and rainfall data or criteria was the Warren–Donnelly
region determined to be the only area eligible for the grants?
(3) What support
is available to farmers in other catchments who have equally struggled with low
rainfall and are struggling?
(4) Will the
minister urgently undertake to rectify the geographical boundary eligibility to
allow other areas to apply for water security grants; and, if not, why not?
SOUTHERN FOREST
489. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the Cook government's
water security for southern forests horticulture industry grants of up to $100 000
to eligible horticulture producers in the Warren–Donnelly region.
(1) With south
west farmers enduring one of the driest summers in living memory, why have the
grants been restricted to the Warren–Donnelly catchments?
(2) On what
meteorological and rainfall data or criteria was the Warren–Donnelly
region determined to be the only area eligible for the grants?
(3) What support
is available to farmers in other catchments who have equally struggled with low
rainfall and are struggling?
(4) Will the
minister urgently undertake to rectify the geographical boundary eligibility to
allow other areas to apply for water security grants; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer was provided by the Minister for Regional
Development.
(1)–(2) The
southern forests infrastructure support scheme is in line with the current
government's commitment to assisting horticulture in the Manjimup–Pemberton
region and utilises funds previously allocated to this specific region.
(3) There is a range
of state and federal government support initiatives available to farmers
administered via relevant portfolios.
(4) The funds were allocated to the
Warren–Donnelly catchment.
of the question. The following answer was provided by the Minister for Regional
Development.
(1)–(2) The
southern forests infrastructure support scheme is in line with the current
government's commitment to assisting horticulture in the Manjimup–Pemberton
region and utilises funds previously allocated to this specific region.
(3) There is a range
of state and federal government support initiatives available to farmers
administered via relevant portfolios.
(4) The funds were allocated to the
Warren–Donnelly catchment.
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