Mr WARREN - 2005-10-11
Howard Springs Nature Park is a very important recreation resource for the lifestyle of Top Enders. Unfortunately, the swimming area is currently unusable due to low water levels. Can the minister please advise the House what action the government is taking to ensure the park remains a healthy resource for Territorians to enjoy?
Members interjecting.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, when they stop bleating on the other side, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. He has a strong interest in this area and has certainly advocated to me and the office to look at the whole issue.
The Howard Springs Nature Park is a wonderful park. It provides great recreational opportunities, both for locals and visitors to the rural area, the swimming hole …
Mrs Braham: Not at the moment.
Mr Wood: No, well, you have not been down there, and neither has the member for Goyder!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Member for Nelson, you are not the only one who visits there!
Mr Wood: Do not get too jumpy, minister!
Mrs Braham: It used to be a great place.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! One of the members has raised this as a matter of public importance later this afternoon, so for this issue now to be addressed during Question Time, I seek your ruling on such a matter.
Mr HENDERSON: Speaking to the point of order raised by the member for Blain. Certainly, the issue has been raised as a matter of public importance. Given that Question Time is broadcast to all Territorians, I would have thought that the opposition and the Independent member would want to hear the answer in the interests of a matter of public importance that I am sure listeners to this broadcast would want to hear the answer.
Mr Wood: Should hear the debate first, and then answer.
Mr Mills: Well, thank you member for Wanguri, I would like to hear the Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: I have sought advice on this in the past. During Question Time, there is a more liberal use of the standing orders and it has generally been accepted, both by myself and previous Speakers, that matters such as this can be raised in Question Time. Therefore, I will allow the question.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, they do want to gag it because the member for Nelson stands up and grandstands and thinks he is the only one who cares about water and the usage of water for people in the Northern Territory. It is not the case, because his whole view is quite contradictory, going from being environmentalist to saying yes to cotton and uranium.
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the minister to substantiate the facts behind her statement.
Members interjecting.
Mr WOOD: Substantiate the facts! She made a statement – prove it!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, there is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Mr Wood: You have not even been down to Howard Springs to have a look!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, please resume your seat! You are on a warning, member for Nelson.
Mrs Braham: Oh, come on, Madam Speaker, give him a break. A warning for that!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, I will get straight on to what the question was from the member for Goyder who asked this question some time ago.
The swimming hole is important but, by no means, the recreational activity of the reserve. It is a great place to have a picnic or go for a rainforest walk. Unfortunately, this year the swimming hole did have to be closed for the Dry Season. When the water flows are low, bacteria levels become too high to allow safe swimming. The Parks and Wildlife Service acted quite responsibly in closing the swimming hole.
Last Wet Season was the ninth driest season over the last 45 years. Four out of the last five Wet Seasons have been below average. Water flows to the swimming hole from the springs do dry up naturally with variations in rainfall. Certainly, in other low rainfall years, the swimming hole has been closed or recommendations made against swimming. I, as well as all members on this side, want to see the Howard Springs Nature Park continue to offer a variety of great recreational opportunities to Territory families and visitors.
Parks and Wildlife are monitoring the water quality weekly and the swimming hole will be open as soon as possible after tests show that it is safe. That is the only responsible thing to do. Immediate priority has been given to ensuring that the water quality in the swimming hole is sufficient to sustain the fish and other animals that depend on it. My department has installed an aeration device to increase the level of oxygen in the water. I understand that this has been met with quite considerable success; therefore, it will not be necessary to flush the pool or relocate the fish or other aquatic life. The aeration device will be maintained permanently by Parks and Wildlife and floating aquatic vegetation will continue to be removed.
Government will also be immediately taking action to improve the water flow by pumping into the pool from a nearby bore. The existing bore is currently being assessed and, if it is not possible for it to be used, then a new bore will be installed by the end of the month at a cost of approximately $25 000. Water from this bore will not interfere with the spring. I do not anticipate that it will be necessary to use the bore at all times, but it will be a very useful back-up. I am confident that this action will lead to quite significant improvements in water quality. We may not be able to avoid closing the swimming hole, but it should happen less frequently and for shorter durations.
In the longer term, we do need to look more broadly at ways to manage water quality at this great swimming pool. Parks and Wildlife are looking at a range of other options, including many useful suggestions from the community, which will be considered as part of the plan of management and further community input. I should also add that it remains possible for young kids to swim at the wading pool near the kiosk as the pool is chlorinated. It has never been closed and continues to be used. Berry Springs swimming hole also remains open to swimming.
Government does spend considerable resources - contrary to the view which has been put out lately by the member for Nelson - on Howard Springs. It is a wonderful place for visitors and locals, and we are taking strong action to keep it that way. And I have visited Howard Springs, member for Nelson.
Members interjecting.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, when they stop bleating on the other side, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. He has a strong interest in this area and has certainly advocated to me and the office to look at the whole issue.
The Howard Springs Nature Park is a wonderful park. It provides great recreational opportunities, both for locals and visitors to the rural area, the swimming hole …
Mrs Braham: Not at the moment.
Mr Wood: No, well, you have not been down there, and neither has the member for Goyder!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Member for Nelson, you are not the only one who visits there!
Mr Wood: Do not get too jumpy, minister!
Mrs Braham: It used to be a great place.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! One of the members has raised this as a matter of public importance later this afternoon, so for this issue now to be addressed during Question Time, I seek your ruling on such a matter.
Mr HENDERSON: Speaking to the point of order raised by the member for Blain. Certainly, the issue has been raised as a matter of public importance. Given that Question Time is broadcast to all Territorians, I would have thought that the opposition and the Independent member would want to hear the answer in the interests of a matter of public importance that I am sure listeners to this broadcast would want to hear the answer.
Mr Wood: Should hear the debate first, and then answer.
Mr Mills: Well, thank you member for Wanguri, I would like to hear the Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: I have sought advice on this in the past. During Question Time, there is a more liberal use of the standing orders and it has generally been accepted, both by myself and previous Speakers, that matters such as this can be raised in Question Time. Therefore, I will allow the question.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, they do want to gag it because the member for Nelson stands up and grandstands and thinks he is the only one who cares about water and the usage of water for people in the Northern Territory. It is not the case, because his whole view is quite contradictory, going from being environmentalist to saying yes to cotton and uranium.
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the minister to substantiate the facts behind her statement.
Members interjecting.
Mr WOOD: Substantiate the facts! She made a statement – prove it!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, there is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Mr Wood: You have not even been down to Howard Springs to have a look!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, please resume your seat! You are on a warning, member for Nelson.
Mrs Braham: Oh, come on, Madam Speaker, give him a break. A warning for that!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, I will get straight on to what the question was from the member for Goyder who asked this question some time ago.
The swimming hole is important but, by no means, the recreational activity of the reserve. It is a great place to have a picnic or go for a rainforest walk. Unfortunately, this year the swimming hole did have to be closed for the Dry Season. When the water flows are low, bacteria levels become too high to allow safe swimming. The Parks and Wildlife Service acted quite responsibly in closing the swimming hole.
Last Wet Season was the ninth driest season over the last 45 years. Four out of the last five Wet Seasons have been below average. Water flows to the swimming hole from the springs do dry up naturally with variations in rainfall. Certainly, in other low rainfall years, the swimming hole has been closed or recommendations made against swimming. I, as well as all members on this side, want to see the Howard Springs Nature Park continue to offer a variety of great recreational opportunities to Territory families and visitors.
Parks and Wildlife are monitoring the water quality weekly and the swimming hole will be open as soon as possible after tests show that it is safe. That is the only responsible thing to do. Immediate priority has been given to ensuring that the water quality in the swimming hole is sufficient to sustain the fish and other animals that depend on it. My department has installed an aeration device to increase the level of oxygen in the water. I understand that this has been met with quite considerable success; therefore, it will not be necessary to flush the pool or relocate the fish or other aquatic life. The aeration device will be maintained permanently by Parks and Wildlife and floating aquatic vegetation will continue to be removed.
Government will also be immediately taking action to improve the water flow by pumping into the pool from a nearby bore. The existing bore is currently being assessed and, if it is not possible for it to be used, then a new bore will be installed by the end of the month at a cost of approximately $25 000. Water from this bore will not interfere with the spring. I do not anticipate that it will be necessary to use the bore at all times, but it will be a very useful back-up. I am confident that this action will lead to quite significant improvements in water quality. We may not be able to avoid closing the swimming hole, but it should happen less frequently and for shorter durations.
In the longer term, we do need to look more broadly at ways to manage water quality at this great swimming pool. Parks and Wildlife are looking at a range of other options, including many useful suggestions from the community, which will be considered as part of the plan of management and further community input. I should also add that it remains possible for young kids to swim at the wading pool near the kiosk as the pool is chlorinated. It has never been closed and continues to be used. Berry Springs swimming hole also remains open to swimming.
Government does spend considerable resources - contrary to the view which has been put out lately by the member for Nelson - on Howard Springs. It is a wonderful place for visitors and locals, and we are taking strong action to keep it that way. And I have visited Howard Springs, member for Nelson.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016