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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1011 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 October 2018 by Hon Diane Evers

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

STATE FOREST 39 — LEASE 2933/97

1011. Hon DIANE EVERS to the Minister for Environment:

I refer to ''Lease No. 2933/97: Water Drawing Sump and Associated Pipeline: Part of State Forest No. 39''.

(1) Is it standard practice to issue leases for water access via a pipeline and sump from state forests?

(a) If no to (1), why was this lease agreed to?

(b) If yes to (1), how many leases of this type exist for areas of the forest in the south west region?

(2) Is this lease or any others referred to in part (1)(a) required to undergo an environmental review of the impact on state forest during the course of the lease? If yes, did this occur for the lease referred to; and, if yes, please table the review.

(3) What quantity of water is the lessor permitted to take annually under this lease?

(4) Is the lessor permitted to sell the water acquired under this lease to other users?

(5) Does the pipeline, including where it crosses Gloucester Road, require planning approval?

(6) Will the lessor pay all costs associated with the roadworks, construction of the pipeline, installation of the pump and ongoing maintenance; and, if not, who will bear the cost?

(7) How was the amount of $612 per annum for the leased area of state forest determined?

The PRESIDENT: I will give the call to the Minister for Environment, but I remind the member of standing order 105 and the use of the word ''concise'' in relation to questions.

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. As you pointed out, Madam President, this is a seven-part question with two subparts. It is quite a comprehensive answer, so I seek leave to incorporate it into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The following material was incorporated —

(1) Leases may be granted for water access from State forest consistent with the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (CALM Act).

(a) Not applicable.

(b) There are 84 leases for water and water-related infrastructure on CALM Act land including for dams, pipelines, water tanks and other water-related infrastructure, which are mainly in the south-west.

(2) It is a standard requirement of CALM Act leases that the lessee obtains all relevant approvals, including any environmental approvals. In considering Lease No. 2933/97 DBCA considered the possible impacts of the lease on the flora and fauna of the area. The gaining of environmental approvals and preparation of any environmental reviews is a matter for the respective lessee.

(3)–(4) Issues relating to the quantity of water, whether it can be sold and the requirements of the lessee under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 should be directed to the Minister for Water.

(5) It is a standard requirement of CALM Act leases that the lessee obtains all relevant approvals, including any planning approvals.

(6) Under Lease No. 2933/97, the lessee is responsible for meeting all costs and expenses associated with the lease.

(7) The rent for Lease No. 2933/97 is consistent with the CALM Act lease rent schedule. The schedule defines an appropriate rent for lease types based on a range of parameters including lease purpose and whether it is of a commercial or non-commercial nature.