Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-30 Daily Xml

Contents

Answers to Questions

Barossa New Water Project

165 The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().19 October 202219 October 2022). Can the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water advise, regarding the Barossa New Water project—

1. Is this project, to secure more water for productivity growth in the Barossa region and increase economic benefits to the state more widely, as high a priority for the Labor government as it was to the previous Liberal government?

2. Can you please provide an update on the progress of this project?

3. Who is the agency ultimately responsible for this project?

4. Is Barossa Irrigation Limited still closely involved in the project?

5. What short, and medium, term options for securing water into the region are being explored?

6. What capital and operating grants and other funding options are being/have been explored?

7. How are the key stakeholders the Barossa community being kept informed of this project?

8. How does this project relate to the work being done to improve water security in the Clare Valley region?

9. It is understood the final report has been finalised. When is the final report expected to be made public for this project?

10. How long after this report is government expected to decide?

11. Will this report be made public?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development has advised:

The new water infrastructure to the Barossa project, or Barossa New Water project, is the development of a detailed business case to explore options to deliver new, secure, climate-independent and affordable water. The development of the detailed business case is funded under the commonwealth government's National Water Grid Fund.

The detailed business case has included engagement with relevant stakeholders including Barossa Infrastructure Limited. Stakeholders are being kept informed through their representative bodies and regional presentations.

The Barossa New Water Project is independent of the investigations underway to improve water security in the Clare Valley region.

Once a final business case is received, it will be considered by government.