❓ Question regarding the government's stance on building a desalination plant in Esperance and the Goldfields, following previous criticism of a Nationals WA proposal. The Minister's response defends the government's current water management strategy and criticises the opposition's past approach.
AnsweredQoN 170Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Seawater desalination plant—Esperance and Goldfields
170. Mr Peter Rundle to
the Minister for Water:
The minister dismissed
the Nationals WA $100-million election commitment to build a desalination plant
at Esperance as a thought bubble, claiming that it made no economic or
environmental sense, yet he is now conceding it will likely be required.
(1) What has changed—the science or simply
the government's political position?
(2) Is the government now considering desalination
for Esperance alone or will he finally acknowledge the need for a coordinated
solution for both Esperance and the Goldfields?
170. Mr Peter Rundle to
the Minister for Water:
The minister dismissed
the Nationals WA $100-million election commitment to build a desalination plant
at Esperance as a thought bubble, claiming that it made no economic or
environmental sense, yet he is now conceding it will likely be required.
(1) What has changed—the science or simply
the government's political position?
(2) Is the government now considering desalination
for Esperance alone or will he finally acknowledge the need for a coordinated
solution for both Esperance and the Goldfields?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the
question and I am very pleased with his newfound interest in the water
portfolio—
Mr John Carey: And in science, too!
Mr Don Punch: —and in science, too.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Don Punch: The Premier indicated earlier that
Western Australia has the strongest economy. It is a growing economy and we
have more people coming to Western Australia in search of a job. At the same
time, we have climate change, something I might add that members opposite, when
the previous Liberal–National government was in office, absolutely
denied, as well as the science around it. But we have a Cook Labor government that
has an eye on the future and is responding to those issues. I want to say,
members, that we are investing in a wide range of capital projects right around
the state to ensure that water is there for the future of Western Australia
with things like the expansion of the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply
Scheme, member for Central Wheatbelt. I know that he is very pleased with that,
as is the member for Kalgoorlie. The member for Albany should be very pleased with the Ulster Road pipeline replacement in
Albany. I was very proud to stand by the Premier recently when he announced
the Onslow seawater desalination plant in the West Pilbara, a joint project
with Rio Tinto. There are a whole range of projects—water recycling in
Bunbury, expanded bores at Busselton and the Ord River irrigation systems
upgrade—right around the state.
What I actually said
in relation to Esperance, member, what was that the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation is investigating saline intrusion into the water bores
in Esperance. We will look at the impact of that and consider what the future holds
in relation to water for Esperance. That may well include expanded bores, which
was the exact reference that I gave, or at some point in the future desalination
options, as is the case elsewhere. We are committed to the future of Western
Australia and to make sure that as its economy grows, water is not a
constraint.
I remember the
thought bubble.
Several members
interjected.
Mr Don Punch: Yes, I do. A lazy $100 million was put
on the table after a protracted argument with his Liberal colleagues to try to
claw a little bit out of what might be in the election commitment budget for
the opposition, which was pretty scant. Lots of figures were thrown around, but
there was not a lot of substance, and on top of that, the opportunity to send
that water through the old gas pipeline to Kalgoorlie: a pipeline built for gas,
not water. That is the science used by members opposite. I am looking forward
to the member's supplementary question on this matter because I think he really
needs to go back and do a little bit of analysis about the water situation in
Western Australia.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members, when we are ready. Supplementary
question, member for Roe.
question and I am very pleased with his newfound interest in the water
portfolio—
Mr John Carey: And in science, too!
Mr Don Punch: —and in science, too.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Don Punch: The Premier indicated earlier that
Western Australia has the strongest economy. It is a growing economy and we
have more people coming to Western Australia in search of a job. At the same
time, we have climate change, something I might add that members opposite, when
the previous Liberal–National government was in office, absolutely
denied, as well as the science around it. But we have a Cook Labor government that
has an eye on the future and is responding to those issues. I want to say,
members, that we are investing in a wide range of capital projects right around
the state to ensure that water is there for the future of Western Australia
with things like the expansion of the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply
Scheme, member for Central Wheatbelt. I know that he is very pleased with that,
as is the member for Kalgoorlie. The member for Albany should be very pleased with the Ulster Road pipeline replacement in
Albany. I was very proud to stand by the Premier recently when he announced
the Onslow seawater desalination plant in the West Pilbara, a joint project
with Rio Tinto. There are a whole range of projects—water recycling in
Bunbury, expanded bores at Busselton and the Ord River irrigation systems
upgrade—right around the state.
What I actually said
in relation to Esperance, member, what was that the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation is investigating saline intrusion into the water bores
in Esperance. We will look at the impact of that and consider what the future holds
in relation to water for Esperance. That may well include expanded bores, which
was the exact reference that I gave, or at some point in the future desalination
options, as is the case elsewhere. We are committed to the future of Western
Australia and to make sure that as its economy grows, water is not a
constraint.
I remember the
thought bubble.
Several members
interjected.
Mr Don Punch: Yes, I do. A lazy $100 million was put
on the table after a protracted argument with his Liberal colleagues to try to
claw a little bit out of what might be in the election commitment budget for
the opposition, which was pretty scant. Lots of figures were thrown around, but
there was not a lot of substance, and on top of that, the opportunity to send
that water through the old gas pipeline to Kalgoorlie: a pipeline built for gas,
not water. That is the science used by members opposite. I am looking forward
to the member's supplementary question on this matter because I think he really
needs to go back and do a little bit of analysis about the water situation in
Western Australia.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members, when we are ready. Supplementary
question, member for Roe.
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