[Greens-Media] State Government move to axe water plan will end in disaster

[Richards, Kirsten]

Plans by the WA State Government to abandon the Water Department's role as an environmental regulator are a shocking step backwards, according to Greens MLC Alison Xamon. 

Ms Xamon, who represents the East Metropolitan Region, said revelations in a leaked email that the Department would be "moving from an environmental agency to a development agency" were extremely disturbing. 

"The Barnett government is out of control when it comes to the environment. In addition to recklessly approving two new coal-fired power stations, they are abandoning any sense of responsibility when it comes to water management," she said. 

"Minister Jacob's belief that merely having a Department of Environment is sufficient is a completely incorrect reading of the legislation. The idea that the Water Department's primary job is to meet the short-term needs of industry, rather than ensure there is sufficient water for future generations, shows - along with the fact we have seen seven Directors General in two years at the Department - that he is clearly not up to the job."

"Where is the water reform process? It has vanished. Where is compliance with the National Water Initiative? Gone. The State Government needs Federal funding for water reform but can't even introduce water management license fees, which are a requirement of the NWI," said Ms Xamon. "The 2007 Water Plan put environmentally sound water management at the forefront of preparing for climate change. We have seen that approach abandoned in favour of short-sighted, badly-regulated consumption."

Ms Xamon said the State Government has repeatedly demonstrated they are completely out of touch with the expectations of West Australians in the 21st century. 

"They are essentially taking a wildly irresponsible approach to water management, and the environment generally," she said. "It is no wonder that large numbers of people working within the Department of Water are furious about what is being done by Premier Barnett and Minister Jacobs."