Question Without Notice No. 217 asked in the Legislative Council on 29 March 2018 by Hon Diane Evers
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
WATER FOR FOOD PROGRAM — SOUTHERN FORESTS IRRIGATION SCHEME
217. Hon DIANE EVERS to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the southern forests irrigation scheme, part of the Water for Food project.
(1) Were public participatory processes undertaken that influenced the development of the SFIS?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) please describe the participatory processes that were implemented;
(b) how many stakeholders and citizens were involved;
(c) were the stakeholders and citizens involved demographically representative of the community in the area; and
(d) to what extent did participants' contributions influence the final version of the southern forest irrigation scheme?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for some notice of the question. I note that she took advantage of our offer to have a briefing on this project from our officers.
(1) I am advised that an extensive marketing campaign and a consultation process were undertaken to communicate the scheme to the local community. This involved public briefing sessions, newspaper advertisements and articles, radio coverage, information stalls at community events and direct mail-outs to over 500 recipients. I note that the majority of this occurred under the previous government.
(2) (a) Community engagement has included a combination of workshops, information sessions and public briefings.
(b) I am advised that seven workshops were held involving approximately 335 attendees along with specific grower workshops where up to 30 people attended.
(c) All efforts were made to include the broadest demographic possible that would be interested in the scheme. Project governance structures put in place included a local project steering group comprising industry representatives, a local shire and government agencies as well as elected grower representatives.
(d) I am advised that it was clear from the outset that without community support and input, it would be difficult to progress the scheme. I understand that the original design of the project changed fundamentally following industry and community consultation.