SOUTHERN FORESTS IRRIGATION SCHEME —
FUNDING
1257. Hon DIANE EVERS to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the proposed $80 million
southern forests irrigation scheme, of which, it is reported on the Department
of Primary Industry and Regional Development's website, $59 million has
been committed by the federal and state governments and $10 million is to be
paid by local growers.
(1) Have there
been any changes to expected costs and funding sources and amounts; and, if so,
please detail the new proposed costs of the entire scheme and/or changes to
funding sources and amounts?
(2) Where is the
remaining $11 million of funding, to take the total to the $80 million quoted,
coming from?
(3) Will the minister provide the names of private
investors or corporations referred to in (2) that are contributing funds
to the scheme, other than the federal and state governments; and, if not, why
not?
(4) For those
listed in (3), will the minister please provide any reports or details showing
the reasons for investment and what they are expecting to receive in return;
and, if not, why not?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I
thank the member for the question.
(1) No,
and not applicable.
(2) The project
proponent, the Southern Forests Irrigation Co-operative, is responsible for
ensuring that there are sufficient funds for
the project, including contingencies and provision for any cost overruns. The
amount of any additional funding that
may be required in excess of the state and commonwealth contributions will
be determined following the Environmental
Protection Authority's review of the project, which is scheduled
to conclude in mid-2021, and the finalisation of the detailed design.
(3) At present,
the only financial contributors are the state and commonwealth governments, and
the local growers that are members of the Southern Forests Irrigation
Co-operative.
(4) Not applicable.