Parliamentary Questions

(a) when is the Department of Water undertaking a review of the Derby groundwater allocation plan and when is it expected to be finalised;
(b) who is responsible for monitoring the saltwater interface to detect detrimental impacts from Mowanjum’s groundwater pumping;
(c) how often is monitoring taking place;
(d) will the Minister table the groundwater monitoring program for Mowanjum, which includes the details of how the saltwater interface is monitored;
(e) if no to (d), why not;
(f) how close is the saltwater interface to the groundwater bores for irrigation at Mowanjum;
(g) has the saltwater interface moved since the beginning of the trial at Mowanjum;
(h) if it is found that the saltwater interface is moving due to groundwater pumping for irrigation at Mowanjum, can the water licence volume be reduced;
(i) if no to (h), why not;
(j) are the bores at Mowanjum metred;
(k) if no to (j), why not;
(l) have any of the bores become saltier since the beginning of the trial; and
(m) what has been the annual usage of water for the irrigation trial since inception?
(2) I refer to question on notice No. 2893, asked on 18 March 2015, and ask:
(a) as no hydrological studies were undertaken for the trial, existing hydrological data was considered in the trial, yet in question on notice No. 144, the Minister answers "A comprehensive hydrogeological assessment was carried out prior to grant of the water licence", can the Minister explain whether the comprehensive hydrogeological assessment was carried out specifically for the Mowanjum project or for some other purpose;
(b) if it was for another purpose, what was it; and
(c) as no soil studies were undertaken to determine the viability of irrigated agriculture in the Mowanjum lease area, yet the answer to question on notice No. 144 states that "soils tests were undertaken prior to development", which of these is correct?
(3) Will the Minister table the hydrological studies and soils tests that were undertaken prior to development at Mowanjum:
(a) if no to (3), why not?
(4) Will the Minister table the water licence for Mowanjum’s irrigation trial:
(a) if no to (4), why not;
(b) is the Minister concerned that no cost/benefit analysis was undertaken for the Mowanjum Irrigation Trial;
(c) if no to (b), why not;
(d) will the Minister request a cost/benefit analysis for the Mowanjum Irrigation Trial to determine its economic viability; and
(e) if no to (d), why not?
(5) With reference to the project budget:
(a) how much has been spent;
(b) how much is remaining; and
(c) will the Minister please outline in detail how this remaining budget will be spent?
(6) Will there be a final report on the outcomes of Mowanjum Irrigation Trial:
(a) if no to (6), why not; and
(b) if yes to (6), will it be publicly available and, if so, when?
Answered on 28 November 2017

(1)

(a) The Derby groundwater allocation plan is currently being revised and is due for release in draft form for public comment prior to 31 March 2018.

(b) Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation has conditions on its groundwater licence under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 to monitor the quality of the groundwater at its monitoring bores.

(c) Depending on the bore, monitoring is undertaken fortnightly, monthly or annually.

(d) Yes, see tabled paper

(e) Not applicable

(f) Approximately five kilometres

(g) No

(h) Yes, a licensed entitlement can be reduced or licence conditions updated to protect the water resource for which the licence is issued.

(i) Not applicable

(j) Yes

(k) Not applicable

(l) No

(m) 292 167 kilolitres 20 August 2015 to 31 December 2015

630 596 kilolitres 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016

(2)

(a) It was undertaken specifically for the Mowanjum Project.

(b) Not applicable

(c) Soils tests were undertaken prior to development.

(3) Yes - see tabled papers

(a) Not applicable

(4) Yes - see tabled paper

(a) Not applicable

(b) No

(c) The economic analysis of the stand and graze irrigation model is an outcome of the project

(d) No

(e) The final reporting for the project will cover off on the outcomes and outputs of the project

(5)

(a) $3 495 231 (at 30 June 2017)

(b) $104 769 (at 30 June 2017)

(c) Remaining funds will be spent against the project deliverables

(6) Yes

(a) Not applicable

(b) It will be made public after completion which is scheduled for 30 June 2018