Mr WOOD - 2008-10-22
In February 2007, a previous minister announced what she said was one of the Northern Territory’s most important water projects. That was the bore metering project for the Darwin rural and Daly River region, funded by the Commonwealth. It was said that there would be 200 bores voluntarily fitted with meters in the Darwin rural area, and 100 in the Daly area. Could you please advise how many meters have actually been fitted in these areas? What was the total amount of Commonwealth money granted for this project? How much of that has been spent so far? Where is the project at now? Why was a government number placed next to my bore over 12 months ago, but I still have no meter installed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. This is a voluntary project that is under way to meter a selection of bores in the Darwin rural area, Daly and Douglas, and the Katherine regions. We need this information to undertake proper water planning for the future. We do not want to make the same mistakes as other states have with over usage of water and no proper planning, so this is a proper planning process.
I am advised that, to date, 136 applicants for meters have been assessed as having bores suitable for a meter, and 61 meters have been installed. I am further advised that, of these 61 meters, 54, or 88%, have been placed in the Darwin rural area. The meters have been installed mainly on blocks of 2 ha and are representative across the range of aquifer types. A variety of water usages are being monitored, such as domestic use, stock use, and native and exotic nurseries.
Installation of meters has not yet finished because of problems with the supply of meters. Approximately 20 to 30 more meters will be installed once the meters arrive from the suppliers. The Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport will be writing to all volunteers over the next month to update them on the status of the project, and advise on arrangements of future installations for those volunteers that have not yet received a meter and wish to participate. You will be one of those people, member for Nelson. It is possible that there may not be sufficient meters to satisfy all requests.
I am advised that early results from this project are very encouraging. We are getting a very good response from participants, with 95% sending on there usage information, member for Nelson.
Madam Speaker, rising costs of the meters will mean that less than the originally anticipated 300 will be deployed. However, I am advised that this will not diminish the value of the information obtained. As this House knows, I have said quite openly to the members for Goyder and Nelson, that my office is always open so, if you want any further information, you are welcome.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. This is a voluntary project that is under way to meter a selection of bores in the Darwin rural area, Daly and Douglas, and the Katherine regions. We need this information to undertake proper water planning for the future. We do not want to make the same mistakes as other states have with over usage of water and no proper planning, so this is a proper planning process.
I am advised that, to date, 136 applicants for meters have been assessed as having bores suitable for a meter, and 61 meters have been installed. I am further advised that, of these 61 meters, 54, or 88%, have been placed in the Darwin rural area. The meters have been installed mainly on blocks of 2 ha and are representative across the range of aquifer types. A variety of water usages are being monitored, such as domestic use, stock use, and native and exotic nurseries.
Installation of meters has not yet finished because of problems with the supply of meters. Approximately 20 to 30 more meters will be installed once the meters arrive from the suppliers. The Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport will be writing to all volunteers over the next month to update them on the status of the project, and advise on arrangements of future installations for those volunteers that have not yet received a meter and wish to participate. You will be one of those people, member for Nelson. It is possible that there may not be sufficient meters to satisfy all requests.
I am advised that early results from this project are very encouraging. We are getting a very good response from participants, with 95% sending on there usage information, member for Nelson.
Madam Speaker, rising costs of the meters will mean that less than the originally anticipated 300 will be deployed. However, I am advised that this will not diminish the value of the information obtained. As this House knows, I have said quite openly to the members for Goyder and Nelson, that my office is always open so, if you want any further information, you are welcome.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016