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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-10-17 Daily Xml
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FIELD RIVER VALLEY

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:38): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about the Field River.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In December 2006, there was a raw sewage spill into the Field River at Hallett Cove resulting from a tree root blockage. In April 2007, in response to my question without notice of 8 February 2007, the minister said:

The EPA recently prepared in consultation with SA Water, United Water and the Local Government Association a draft code of practice for wastewater overflow management...Wastewater system operators will be obliged to comply with this code once it is implemented...EPA is working with SA Water to ensure overflows of all types are reduced in number and severity.

On 15 March 2007, I asked the minister whether she would ensure that the EPA audits the maintenance regime of the pipe infrastructure of SA Water and United Water. I have not received a response to that question. On Tuesday of last week, 2 October 2007, a wastewater overflow on Osprey Court, Hallett Cove flowed for at least an hour and a half, leading to sewage flowing into the Field River. United Water personnel confirmed that the cause of the overflow was tree roots, and local residents have advised that they have photographic confirmation of that fact. My questions to the minister are:

1. Given that it is 10 months since the last tree root blockage (in December 2006) and six months since she advised the council that the draft code of practice for wastewater overflow management was due to be implemented, has that code been implemented?

2. In relation to the Field River catchment, in particular, what practical steps has the EPA required of SA water or United Water to deal with tree roots and avoid wastewater overflows in the Field River catchment?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:40): I thank the member for his question, which is a repeat of a previous question in this council. In relation to those matters that he has pointed out in terms of there being—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —no response, I have indicated previously that I will provide a response, and that response will be forthcoming. In relation to any recent events, again, the department works very hard on these issues.

An honourable member: What have they done?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: My understanding is that they have attempted to address the problem, and I am more than happy to bring back the findings of the report from that incident. I do not have them in front of me but, indeed, the EPA has recently prepared a code in consultation with SA Water and United Water, and that code of practice is about addressing waste water and overflow management. It is about providing guidance and, in some cases, instruction to assist waste water system operators, and that should help address and minimise the frequency and volume of such overflows. I understand that work on that code is still being done, and negotiations are continuing to take place. It is important that we get these things right and, as I said, in relation to those details that I do not have with me here today, I am more than happy to take them on notice and bring back a response.

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