Page 4032 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 16 Sept 2009

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It is worth reminding the Assembly of the strategic framework we put in place back in 2004: targeted per capita potable water reduction of 12 per cent by 2013 and a 25 per cent reduction by 2023; an increase in recycled water use from five per cent to 20 per cent by 2013; a range of actions to reduce the demand on potable water; the implementation of water-sensitive urban design in new developments; and the introduction of guidelines on the use of grey water.

The government also acted immediately by providing for the development of a capacity to draw water directly from the Casuarina Sands on the Murrumbidgee River near the Cotter confluence and for the upgrading of the Mount Stromlo water treatment plant to be able to take that water directly into the ACT reticulation system.

We hear the commentary from those opposite that nothing was done. But, very clearly, a set of actions was taken back in 2004 and 2005 to address what was an emerging and serious issue.

With innovative engineering, Actew also developed the capacity to take excess water from the Cotter catchment and transfer it to Googong Dam for storage and later use. This initiative both addressed the declining performance of that supply system and reservoir in the worsening drought and made effective capital use of existing infrastructure and its connection to the reticulation system.

In 2005, Actew completed its assessment of the ACT’s water supply options for the future and from that work the government agreed to detailed assessment of the following projects: the enlarged Cotter Dam, the Murrumbidgee to Googong pipeline and a complementary scheme of purchasing water rights in New South Wales and diverting that water to Googong Dam at Angle Crossing.

So in 2005 was the government asked to proceed with the development of these projects by Actew? No, it was not. And that is the big lie perpetrated by those opposite. The lie is that the government was asked to proceed with those projects in 2005.

Mr Seselja: I raise a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker.

MR CORBELL: I withdraw. I withdraw that, Madam Assistant Speaker.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): Thank you, Mr Corbell.

MR CORBELL: That is the big myth perpetrated by those opposite. They suggest that in 2005 the government was asked by Actew to proceed with the development of these projects. But that is wrong; that is not what the government was asked. In 2005, Actew sought the government’s agreement for detailed assessment of these projects, and in 2005 the government agreed. The Liberals have simply got it wrong on that issue.

In 2007, Actew reported to the government and provided its recommendations on which projects should proceed and those were the enlarged Cotter Dam project and


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