Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-10-15 Daily Xml

Contents

Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:30): Supplementary: should the report demonstrate that industry in the Limestone Coast will not thrive because of water allocation cuts that may come from the amendment process of the WAP, will the minister formally advocate to the Deputy Premier to ensure that no cuts will be made to industry?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:30): I thank the honourable member for his supplementary question. The way he is putting that question is essentially saying that, if there is a problem with water supply, will we ignore it. That is essentially what he is saying. I think it is important for all industries—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —to have a sustainable resource. It is important for all communities that rely on that resource to have a sustainable water resource. That is why there needs to be regular reviews of the water allocation plans.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The plan was adopted in November 2013 and the process will be looking at what kind of amendments may need to be made. It is important that when there is a shared resource we have a responsible approach to that and I would hope that those opposite are not advocating to simply ignore changes in such an important resource as water.