Outcome: 1. Environment	Question No:  49
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Government response to Parliamentary Committee Report “Turning Back the Tide” – the invasive species challenge”
Hansard Page ECITA:	129

Senator Bartlett asked:
The references version of this very committee did an inquiry and produced a report, which was tabled in the Senate in December 2004. The annual report stated that an advance draft of the government’s response had been prepared. In the document tabled in the Senate at the end of last year, the government said that consultations were nearing completion. That was on 7 December last year. I was just wondering where the government response is on that.

Answer:
The Australian Government response is undergoing final clearances.

Outcome: 1. Environment	Question No:  50
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts
Topic:	NSW Government Water Use	
Hansard Page ECITA:	131

Senator Joyce asked:
Mr Slatyer—We are aware of proposals that are under consideration by the New South Wales Government for reducing evaporation losses in the Menindee lakes system. …

Mr Slatyer—The Menindee storage lakes are New South Wales property, though there are arrangements whereby some of those lakes, of course, are being used for private purposes. I am not sure. I cannot answer the details of the ownership question. ... 

So the New South Wales government is possibly one of the most inefficient users of water in the whole system?

Mr Slatyer—I can take that on notice if you do not know the answer.

Answer:
The Menindee Lakes Water Storage Scheme is owned by the NSW Government and jointly managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), State Water and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC). Water losses due to evaporation are high because of the wide and shallow nature of the Lakes. 

While the operating efficiency of Menindee Lakes could no doubt be improved, this is a matter for the NSW State Government. The NSW Government has indicated that structural works at Menindee Lakes could recover an estimated 10 gigalitres of water for a cost of approximately $33 million (roughly three times over the current market price for water). 

Outcome: 1. Environment	Question No:  51
Division/Agency:	Land Water Coasts
Topic:	Coastal zone management
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
(a)	Is the National Cooperative Approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management Framework and Implementation Plan the national coastal policy promised by the Howard Government in its 2001 election policy?  If not, when will that coastal policy be released?

(b)	Is the National Cooperative Approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management Framework and Implementation Plan what the Minister for the Environment and Heritage was referring to when he said on 25 July 2005 that “what we need if we’re going to save the coast is a 30-year plan…”  If not, when will that policy be released?

(c)	Will there be dedicated Commonwealth funds to implement the National Approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management? If so, how much has been allocated? 

Answers:
a)	Yes

b)	The National Cooperative Approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management Framework and Implementation Plan are intended to provide the basis for Commonwealth/State cooperation on policy development and implementation into the future.

c)	The Framework notes that actions identified in the Implementation Plan will build on existing initiatives at the Australian, State and local government level, and that where feasible these actions will be achieved through the efficient allocation of existing resources in consultation between the Australian Government, the States and Northern Territory and local government. The Framework also notes that further funding implications associated with the Implementation Plan will be identified and agreed to between the Australian Government and various jurisdictions. 

Outcome: 1. Environment	Question No: 52 
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Catchments Initiative: Peel-Harvey Estuarine System
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
On 1 October 2003, the then Minister for the Environment, David Kemp, announced $2.1 million for the Peel/Harvey System. I understand that funding was for the preparation of a Water Quality Improvement Plan. 
(a) 	Has the Plan been finalised? 
(b) 	How will it be implemented?
(c) 	How much funding is required, over what period, to implement the Peel/Harvey Plan and achieve its water quality objectives?
(d) 	What is the Government proposing, by way of Commonwealth assistance, to help implement the Peel/Harvey Plan?
(e) 	Will there be dedicated funds to support its implementation? 
(f) 	What discussions, if any, have you had with the WA Government or local government regarding joint arrangements for the Peel/Harvey Plan implementation?
(g) 	Do you intend to discuss joint implementation?  
(h) 	Will you announce implementation arrangements when you release the final Plan?
(i) 	Are you aware the Peel/Harvey System is experiencing annually harmful algal blooms, especially in the tidal reaches of its rivers (including the Serpentine River)? 
(j) 	Have you taken any additional action to address this problem? 
Answers:
(a)	No.
(b) – (f) 	Implementation details are not available as the Plan is yet to be finalised.
(g)	Yes.
(h)	If there are to be joint implementation arrangements they will be announced at an appropriate time, to be determined by the Parties involved.
(i)	Yes.
(j)	Cost effective actions to address water quality issues in the Peel-Harvey estuarine system are to be determined through the final Water Quality Improvement Plan.