DONNELLY RIVER CATCHMENT —
WATER MODELLING
191. Hon DIANE EVERS to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to the Department of Water
and Environmental Regulation's methods for water modelling used for
validation of water reliance in the Donnelly River catchment area.
(1) Are gauging stations used for tributary streams
that contribute to the Donnelly River; and, if not, why not?
(2) Has the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation amended the take time for
water capture on A-class licence holders; and, if yes, why?
(3) Has the 2019–20 year
received sufficient water for it to declare that variable take can be collected?
(4) How does DWER ensure compliance
with licence conditions under the variable take licences?
(5) What is the
penalty for water collection without entitlement or when not declared wet
enough for variable take, and how many infringements have been raised in the
current 2019–20 season?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The Minister for Water has provided the following information.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes. A
condition has been included on water licences specifying the winter take
period. This is to protect the water source at the water-dependent environment
and the rights of other water users.
(3) No
declaration has been made relating to the take of water under variable take
licences. Variable take licences have minimum bypass requirements associated
with the licence. Once the threshold has been met, water can be taken against
these entitlements.
(4) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation undertakes a range of
activities to determine compliance with water licence conditions including
auditing, onsite inspections and investigations.
(5) Penalties for
breaches of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 can be up to $10 000
for individuals and $50 000 for companies, with daily penalties of $1 000,
subject to prosecution. Other enforcement options range from a letter of
education to modified penalties of $500. No infringements have been issued in
the 2019–20 season.