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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 2945 asked in the Legislative Council on 14 May 2020 by Hon Robin Chapple

Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 3992- View tabled paper


Question

I refer to the tabled document, Report on Consultants Engaged by Government for the six months ended 31 December 2019, and I ask:

(a) for the consultancy service provided by Ernst and Young for the listed purpose of "economic modelling of carbon farming in WA to inform state carbon strategy through RDLF":
(i) what was the scope of the services provided;
(ii) who were the specific stakeholders consulted through the scope of the services;
(iii) what were the recommendations and/or guidance provided through the scope of the services;
(iv) which of the recommendations and/or guidance has been implemented and how has this been undertaken; and
(v) if recommendations and/or guidance has not been implemented, why is this the case;
(b) for the consultancy service provided by Frank Weisenberger Consulting, for the report outlining Fitzroy River Environmental and Cultural Landscape review management plan within the Fitzroy Catchment in support of the Fitzroy Management Plan:
(i) what was the scope of the services provided;
(ii) who were the specific stakeholders consulted through the scope of the services;
(iii) what were the recommendations and/or guidance provided through the scope of the services;
(iv) which of the recommendations and/or guidance has been implemented and how has this been undertaken; and
(v) if recommendations and/or guidance has not been implemented, why is this the case
;
(c) for the consultancy service provided by Jackson Macdonald, for the report outlining renewable hyrdogen refuelling station overview of the regulatory landscape:
(i) what was the scope of the services provided
;
(ii) who were the specific stakeholders consulted through the scope of the services;
(iii) what were the recommendations and/or guidance provided through the scope of the services;
(iv) which of the recommendations and/or guidance has been implemented and how has this been undertaken; and
(v) if recommendations and/or guidance has not been implemented, why is this the case;
(d) for the consultancy service provided by RFF Australia, for the report outlining economic and population characteristics of the Fitzroy river catchment in support of the Fitzroy river management plan
:
(i) what was the scope of the services provided;
(ii) who were the specific stakeholders consulted through the scope of the services;
(iii) what were the recommendations and/or guidance provided through the scope of the services;
(iv) which of the recommendations and/or guidance has been implemented and how has this been undertaken; and
(v) if recommendations and/or guidance has not been implemented, why is this the case; and
(e) for the consultancy service provided by Western Land and Water Consulting, for the report outlining the response from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to the Office of the Auditor General, into the management of dryland salinity:
(i) what was the scope of the services provided;
(ii) who were the specific stakeholders consulted through the scope of the services;
(iii) what were the recommendations and/or guidance provided through the scope of the services;
(iv) which of the recommendations and/or guidance has been implemented and how has this been undertaken; and
(v) if recommendations and/or guidance has not been implemented, why is this the case?
Answered on 18 June 2020

(a)

(i) Assessment of direct economic costs and benefits of Human-Induced Regeneration carbon farming on pastoral lease lands.

(ii) Grazing Innovation

Tierra Australia

Pastoralists and Graziers’ Association

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Pew Trusts

AI Carbon

10 Deserts Project

Carbon Neutral

Murdoch University

Clayton Utz

Carbon Market Institute

(iii) No recommendations made.

(iv) - (v) Not Applicable.

(b)

(i) Delivery of a review and assessment of natural and cultural resource management plans and programs in the Fitzroy River catchment to include:

    • Identification and assessment of the documented natural and cultural conservation strategies and actions for the catchment; and
    • A profile of the environmental and cultural landscapes of the Fitzroy River Catchment using existing data and information.
(ii) Former members of the Fitzroy Catchment Management Group (FITZCAM) and additional Traditional Owners and stakeholders in the catchment were surveyed on the content of the 2010 Fitzroy Catchment Natural Resource Management Plan.

Registered Native Title Body Corporates with Healthy Country Plans within the Catchment area, which include the following Aboriginal Corporations:

    • Walalakoo
    • Wilinggin
    • Bunuba Dawangarri
    • Yanunijarra
    • Gooniyandi
Additionally, see tabled paper # for stakeholder groups who were invited to take part in a survey relating to a review of the status of the 2010 Fitzroy Catchment Natural Resource Management Plan.

(iii) - (v) The Report is not yet finalised.

(c)

(i) To undertake a high-level and preliminary review of the current regulatory landscape for hydrogen vehicle refuelling stations and fuel cell electric vehicles in Western Australia to identify where barriers and gaps might present and to provide recommendations and guidance to State Government on the nature of regulatory reform, if any, required for refuelling infrastructure for renewable hydrogen vehicles in Western Australia.

(ii) None.

(iii) The Renewable Hydrogen Vehicle Refuelling Stations – An overview of the regulatory landscape (Report) identified nine areas of regulation as potentially relevant and applicable for hydrogen vehicle refuelling stations and fuel cell electric vehicles and for the relevant legislation identified where potential gaps in current codes, procedures, standards etc. for dealing with hydrogen may lie.

(iv) The Report has equipped relevant State Government agencies with an understanding of the regulatory landscape and the relevant regulatory risks as it presents for hydrogen vehicle refuelling stations and fuel cell electric vehicles in Western Australia.

The State Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Unit (RHU) at the Department of Jobs, Science, Tourism and Innovation – which is leading the Government’s work to support the growth of a renewable hydrogen industry for Western Australia – is working with key regulatory agencies including the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Department of Transport to further analyse potential gaps in the regulatory frameworks for hydrogen and develop options to improve the regulatory frameworks while ensuring strong safety and consumer protections.

(v) Work to improve the regulatory framework for hydrogen activities is ongoing.

(d)

(i) Completion of a statistical and socio-demographic profile of the Fitzroy River Catchment area using the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data and other relevant, up-to-date and available information. The profile is a desktop analysis which includes an outline of key frameworks, plans, strategies and initiatives relevant to the Catchment area as well as profiling key industries.

(ii) None.

(iii) This report was a desktop assessment and literature review only which will be used to inform stakeholder consultation and drafting of the Fitzroy River Management Plan. The final report is now under review and consideration by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

(iv) None.

(v) The catchment profile does not contain recommendations. It provides a current snapshot of the catchment to inform the consultation and planning process underway and contents will be used to inform drafting of the Fitzroy River Management Plan.

(e)

(i) The services provided were to support the review of stakeholder submissions and assist with the drafting of a proposed response to the Auditor General’s report.

(ii) See tabled paper #

(iii) - (v) The proposed Government Response to the Auditor General’s report into the management of dryland salinity, including recommendations, has been submitted to the Minister for consideration.