Eyre Peninsula Water Supply

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Water and the River Murray questions about the Eyre Peninsula NRM draft water allocation plan.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board has released a new draft water allocation plan (draft WAP) for the Southern Basins and Musgrave Prescribed Wells Area. That draft WAP is currently out for consultation.

Late last week I visited the Eyre Peninsula and spent some time with that very good, hard-working and competent member for Flinders, Mr Peter Treloar, and this particular issue was raised with us—actually, on a number of occasions. My question to the minister is: what will the draft WAP do to address serious and ongoing water security issues on the Eyre Peninsula?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. As I understand it, there are currently two water allocation plans in operation on the Eyre Peninsula: the water allocation plan for the Musgrave Prescribed Wells Area near Elliston and the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area near Port Lincoln.

In 2010 the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board completed a statutory review of the current water allocation plans. The review determined that these plans required significant amendment. It was also decided that a new draft water allocation plan would encompass both prescribed wells areas.

The draft water allocation plan has been prepared following significant research, policy development and consultation with stakeholders. This has provided a better understanding of the prescribed groundwater resources and will enable improved management. In particular, the new unbundled water licence system separates water rights, which will facilitate water trade and enable more flexible management.

Following an extensive review by the Crown Solicitor's Office, the NRM Board released the draft plan for consultation on 23 March 2015 for a nine or 12 week consultation period closing on 12 June 2015 (I will do my sums later and correct that). The NRM board hosted stakeholder meetings and open house forums in Port Lincoln and Elliston from 7 to 9 April, which were attended by 55 community members plus board members and departmental staff.

The board hosted additional stakeholder meetings in Port Lincoln and Elliston on 29 and 30 April to work through some of the issues that had been raised in more detail. These meetings were attended by 21 community members plus board members and departmental staff. The attending community members were pleased with the opportunity to participate in discussion and genuine engagement around their key issues and concerns, and that is understandable.

To date the board has received seven formal submissions to the draft water allocation plan. Feedback sessions will be held once consultation has closed to inform the community of the issues raised, what is planned to be amended as a result, and why. The NRM board will document all feedback and submissions in a consultation report that will accompany the amended draft water allocation plan that will be provided to me for consideration and endorsement once consultation has concluded.

Clearly, it would be improper for me to start to speculate on what might be adopted. I await the report from the NRM board following those community consultations. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Shane Webster for his indefatigable service to me and my office. As he now boldly goes to explore new worlds and new career frontiers, I would like to offer him my most sincere salutation to live long and prosper.