Page 2197 - Week 06 - Monday, 11 May 2009

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In 2008 ACTEW conducted surveys to better understand the community’s views in relation to the Cotter Precinct area. This survey also included questions about ACTEW’s community consultation activities. The survey was a phone survey and was also placed on ACTEW’s website.

As a result of hosting these workshops, ACTEW was able to gain a deeper understanding of the values ACT residents place on the Cotter Precinct, the types of activities that are undertaken and the community’s preferences for redevelopment or improvements that could be made in conjunction with the enlarged Cotter Dam.

(2) ACTEW has advised that it plans to continue its close engagement with the community on these important projects. Community consultation on the projects will continue throughout 2009 and for the life of these projects. ACTEW also plans to continue gathering feedback in relation to its consultation activities to minimise disruption and ensure positive outcomes.

Consultation activities in the near future include:

• Information session/s during the lodgment of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer.

• Continued discussions and negotiations with individual landholders affected by the construction of the Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer.

• Information displays at upcoming local events such as the Retirement and Lifestyle Expo, Queanbeyan’s Enviro Expo and ActewAGL’s Amazing World of Science, part of the 2009 Australian Science Festival.

• Further consultation on ACTEW’s options for redevelopment of the Cotter Precinct.

• Ongoing discussions with local residents regarding temporary construction impacts around the Cotter Pumping Station.

Actew—water diversions
(Question No 116)

Mrs Dunne asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 24 March 2009 (redirected to the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water):

(1) In relation to the ACTEW Corporation’s 2007-08 annual report, how much water has the ACT used or diverted from the Murray Darling Basin since reaching agreement with the Murray Darling Basin Commission on an ACT water cap.

(2) How much is proposed to be used or diverted in a full year.

(3) For how long will the current cap be sufficient to meet the ACT’s needs and when and what process will be used to review that cap.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The ACT cap was accepted by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council in May 2008. For 2007/08, ACTEW has advised that it extracted 43.5GL and returned 25.7GL through Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre, using a net 17.8GL. Note that the ACT cap also includes other extractions apart from ACTEW and Queanbeyan Sewerage Treatment Plant returns to the river, which are monitored by


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