SOUTHERN FORESTS
IRRIGATION SCHEME — WATER LICENSING
629. Hon DIANE EVERS to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to the proposed southern
forests irrigation scheme.
(1) What are the
proposed water licensing conditions for the scheme—that is, is it a water
service provider?
(2) Will the
taking of water be permitted by the scheme all year round if it is available or
for only a set number of months?
(3) Does this
differ from the times that individual farmers in the area are currently
permitted to capture water that falls on their farms; and, if yes, why?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided by the Minister for Water.
(1) The Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation has not received an application for a water licence from the
southern forests irrigation scheme. The department cannot assess a water
licence application made under the Rights in
Water and Irrigation Act 1914 while the proposal for the scheme is still
subject to assessment by the Environmental Protection Authority. Any
water licence issued to the proposed southern forests irrigation scheme would
have terms and conditions relating to the take of water, monitoring and reporting. Irrigation schemes may also require
licensing as a water service provider under the Water Services Act 2012.
(2)–(3) Water licence conditions, including the water take
period, can be determined only after the Environmental Protection
Authority has completed its assessment and a water licence application has been
received by the department.