Government to create new Department of Water

7/10/05
A new Department of Water will be established to drive the State Government's water reform agenda, Acting Premier Eric Ripper announced today.
The creation of the Department of Water is the realisation of a key Government election commitment to consolidate all water-related functions and activities under the leadership of the Premier.
Mr Ripper said it would provide comprehensive advice on the status of water resources and the viability of new source development, as well as delivering on important allocating, licensing and monitoring functions.
Water was Western Australia's most vital resource, and a separate department would ensure it was placed as the central focus of all planning, evaluation and research decisions.
"This is a significant step forward to realising sustainable water resource management in WA," the Acting Premier said.
"A Department of Water will lead to efficient resource allocation, without compromising environmental protection capabilities.
"The new department will also play a integral role in developing a comprehensive legislative program to streamline and modernise an archaic and unwieldy catalogue of 14 Water Acts."
Decisions regarding water source developments will still be subject to existing environmental planning approvals and sustainability requirements.
Mr Ripper said the Government's decision to create a new department had been based on a comprehensive review of the administrative and legislative arrangements within the water resources portfolio.
As part of the review process, consultations with key water stakeholders and water service providers were undertaken.
Mr Ripper said the Public Sector Management Division of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, with the assistance of the Policy Division, had been requested to guide and oversee creation of the new department.
"An implementation team located in the Department of Premier and Cabinet will manage transitional arrangements," he said.
"That team will ensure consultation occurs with affected employees and relevant union groups."
Establishing the department satisfies the Government's response to Key Direction One of the Irrigation Report which the Premier tabled in Parliament in September.
The new Department of Water is expected to be operational by December 1.
Minister's office: 9222 8788