Mingenew Aquifer - sustainable allocation limit
3000. Hon Alison Xamon to the Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Water
I refer to the Mingenew Aquifer, and ask —
(1) What is the sustainable allocation limit for groundwater extraction for this aquifer?
(2) How many licenses are currently approved, and for what volume of water for this aquifer?
(3) How many applications for groundwater licenses, and for what volume of water are currently before the Department of Water?
(4) What are the predicted impacts of climate change for recharge of the aquifer, and for the sustainable allocation limit for this aquifer?
(5) What trading value is currently given to water traded within the management areas of this aquifer?
Hon HELEN MORTON replied:
(1) The Perth Parmelia Aquifer for the Arrowsmith Groundwater area is assumed to be the Mingenew Aquifer referred to and has a sustainable allocation limit of 48.2 Giga Litre (GL).
(2) A total of 1.02 GL/a is currently allocated to six separate licences.
(3) The Department of Water (DoW) is currently assessing five licence applications, with new licence requests totalling 8.14GL.
(4) The DoW reviewed the sustainable allocation limits in 2009 for the development of the Arrowsmith Groundwater Allocation Plan. Climate variability and potential changes in recharge were reviewed as part of the process. An assessment of climate change impacts on water availability will be undertaken as part of the annual evaluation statement for the plan.
(5) The DoW does not determine trade values. The value of a trade is determined by the market.