Water Corporation—Pine plantations
711. Hon Dr Steve Thomasto theLeader of the House representing the Minister for Water:
I refer to the purchase and lease of property by the Water Corporation for the purpose of growing pine plantations.
(1) Does the Water Corporation pay local government rates for the land that it:
(a) purchases for the growing of pine trees; or
(b) leases for the growing of pine trees?
(2) If yes to (1), why does the Water Corporation pay shire rates if the Forest Products Commission does not?
(3) Is the Water Corporation paying shire rates voluntarily or because it does not have an escape clause like the Forest Products Commission has under the Forest Products Act 2000?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. This is the Thursday I have been waiting for!
(1)–(a) Water Corporation pays amounts equal to local government rates and charges in lieu of local government rates on the properties it owns. This payment is made directly to RevenueWA. It was previously the State Treasury.
(1)–(b) Water Corporation does not lease land for the purpose of growing pine trees.
(2) Water Corporation obligations for payments in lieu of local government rates falls within section 151 of the Government Trading Enterprises Act 2023.
(3) Under section 151 of the Government Trading Enterprises Act 2023, Water Corporation is obligated to provide payments in lieu of local government rates.
