❓ A parliamentary question regarding the feasibility of the Wellington Dam water recovery project as an alternative water source for Perth, focusing on water availability, ownership, approvals, and cost-effectiveness compared to existing options.
AnsweredQoN 981Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
The Wellington Dam water recovery project - WDWRP - has been proposed as an alternative to the Western Australian Government’s two preferred solutions for Perth’s water crisis. The project proponents estimate that approximately 45 gigalitres of water is available in the Wellington Dam from the scouring process. (1) Will the minister confirm whether 45 gigalitres of water from the Wellington Dam is available annually for the scouring process? (2) If not, will the minister explain approximately how much saline water from the Wellington Dam is currently available for processing to the potable water standard; and how much potable water could reasonably be expected to be made available through putting that amount of saline water through a reverse-osmosis process? (3) Who owns the water in Wellington Dam and what approvals would be needed for such a scheme to be approved? (4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(1) Will the minister confirm whether 45 gigalitres of water from the Wellington Dam is available annually for the scouring process? (2) If not, will the minister explain approximately how much saline water from the Wellington Dam is currently available for processing to the potable water standard; and how much potable water could reasonably be expected to be made available through putting that amount of saline water through a reverse-osmosis process? (3) Who owns the water in Wellington Dam and what approvals would be needed for such a scheme to be approved? (4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(2) If not, will the minister explain approximately how much saline water from the Wellington Dam is currently available for processing to the potable water standard; and how much potable water could reasonably be expected to be made available through putting that amount of saline water through a reverse-osmosis process? (3) Who owns the water in Wellington Dam and what approvals would be needed for such a scheme to be approved? (4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(3) Who owns the water in Wellington Dam and what approvals would be needed for such a scheme to be approved? (4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(1) Will the minister confirm whether 45 gigalitres of water from the Wellington Dam is available annually for the scouring process? (2) If not, will the minister explain approximately how much saline water from the Wellington Dam is currently available for processing to the potable water standard; and how much potable water could reasonably be expected to be made available through putting that amount of saline water through a reverse-osmosis process? (3) Who owns the water in Wellington Dam and what approvals would be needed for such a scheme to be approved? (4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(2) If not, will the minister explain approximately how much saline water from the Wellington Dam is currently available for processing to the potable water standard; and how much potable water could reasonably be expected to be made available through putting that amount of saline water through a reverse-osmosis process? (3) Who owns the water in Wellington Dam and what approvals would be needed for such a scheme to be approved? (4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(3) Who owns the water in Wellington Dam and what approvals would be needed for such a scheme to be approved? (4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(4) If the WDWRP proponents are offering to supply water to the Water Corporation at a cheaper rate than is currently available from other options, who will need to see the details of the proposal and why? The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
The PRESIDENT: Before calling the minister, I trust that if the answer to the question is lengthy, he will seek leave to have it incorporated. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
This is a very important issue. Normally I would adopt that course but this matter has been raised in the House on another occasion. I think all members should hear the answer. The answer is not too long and I will read it quickly. (1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(1) No. Forty-five gigalitres of water is not available annually from the scouring of the Wellington Dam. (2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(2) The average annual scour from Wellington Dam between 1997 and 2004 was 25 gigalitres, which occurred during the winter months. This volume is expected to reduce to 15 gigalitres when the full allocations are utilised - see answer to (3) below. After the desalination process, approximately 12 gigalitres of potable water will be available. (3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(3) The Crown owns the water. The Department of Environment is responsible for the allocation of water from the Wellington Dam. The total amount of water available from Wellington Dam is understood to be approximately 100 gigalitres, of which irrigators are allocated 68 gigalitres and the Water Corporation has a provisional allocation of 17 gigalitres. The remainder is reserved for scouring. Approval is required from the Environmental Protection Authority. (4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
(4) The Water Corporation will need to see the details of the Wellington Dam water recovery project to determine whether it meets its requirements for providing sustainable water services. In particular, it is essential that security of supply and compliance with the Australian drinking water guidelines be guaranteed. The EPA will need to determine whether the development is environmentally acceptable. The Department of Environment will need to determine that other water users and the environment will not be disadvantaged. To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
To deal with the issue generally, if somebody can provide the Water Corporation with water that is acceptable for public health and can guarantee security of supply, the Water Corporation would be pleased to purchase that water at 60c a kilolitre.
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