Shadow Water Minister Peter Rundle MLA has congratulated Western Australia’s State Government on finally recognising that it should investigate the potential for a desalination plant in Esperance but warns it against ignoring other aspects of water supply, use and management crucial to shoring up future supplies.

While supportive of an Esperance desalination plant if proven viable, Mr Rundle said the Cook Government must also address a range of broader water supply and management issues.

“In Esperance, for example, there is a need for investment in recycling of wastewater, an infrastructure improvement that could help protect potable water supplies,” Mr Rundle said.

Mr Rundle said that the State Government had not exactly showered itself in glory in terms of water management, despite recognising the drying climate.

“We need to protect groundwater resources, strengthen water licensing and compliance, and keep on top of the maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure,” Mr Rundle said.

Mr Rundle said that he could not help but be amused by the fact that the Cook Government was now embracing a concept which it described as a “thought bubble”, in the lead up the most recent State Election.

“After years of saying that a desalination plant in Esperance made no sense, here we are, with Roger Cook proudly touting such a thing as a workable option on morning radio, keen to receive accolades for such foresight,” Mr Rundle said.

Mr Rundle said that the WA Nationals had long been willing to support a plan which involved the construction of a desalination plant to help meet the future water needs of both the Goldfields and Esperance regions.

This would also benefit the smaller inland communities like Grass Patch and Salmon Gums, and mining and pastoral operations throughout the Goldfields.

“We took a clear policy to the recent State Election, committing $100 million towards an Esperance desalination plant,” Mr Rundle said.

“As I have said before, this government has yet to prove that it is serious about practical, long-term water solutions to secure the future of regional Western Australia.”

Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA has questioned the Cook Labor Government’s approach to shark mitigation, saying Western Australians still have no clear evidence the current strategy is delivering results.

On Tuesday, the Fisheries Minister announced a $5 million investment into shark mitigation, including increased patrols and expansions to shark tagging and receiver infrastructure.

Ms Warr questioned how the Government could justify further investment without demonstrating the effectiveness of existing measures.

“Before announcing another $5 million, the Minister should explain what evidence exists that the current shark mitigation strategy is working and how this additional investment will improve safety outcomes for Western Australians,” she said.

“No one would argue against investing in public safety, but the community deserves to know how success is being measured and what practical difference this package will make in the water.”

“Regional communities such as Geraldton, Esperance and Albany, where recent attacks have occurred, deserve certainty that they will receive the support and protection they need heading into summer.

“The promise to double shark tagging might sound impressive, but communities deserve clarity on when it will happen, where it will occur and how it will improve public safety.

“We still do not have up-to-date information from the Commonwealth on shark populations in our waters, so Western Australians deserve to know whether the Minister has sought updated advice to help inform these decisions.”

Ms Warr said transparency and accountability must underpin any expansion of the State’s shark mitigation strategy.

“The Minister is asking Western Australians to have confidence in an expanded shark mitigation strategy without showing how the existing strategy is being measured or whether it is delivering results,” she said.

“The Government needs to demonstrate what is working, what is not, and how this additional investment will be measured moving forward.”

Shadow Minister for Volunteering Hon. Rob Horstman MLC said volunteer surf lifesavers needed support to ensure their workload was not stretched as a result of additional patrols.

“Surf Life Saving WA will play a significant role as part of this funding, and our volunteers will have an important role in its delivery,” he said.

“There is a continued reliance on volunteers as part of the strategy, and it will be important for the Cook Labor Government to support them through this process, particularly the skilled drone operators who will help deliver these additional surveillance measures.”

Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA says serious questions need to be answered about the data underpinning Western Australia’s shark mitigation strategy, with the Cook Labor Government continuing to rely on external population estimates, while spending millions of dollars on shark management measures.

It follows reports from former WA fisheries scientist Jim Penn, who has more than 40 years’ experience in fisheries stock assessment in Australia and overseas, estimating shark numbers off the WA coast could be as high as 10,000. By comparison CSIRO population estimates relied upon by the State Government, last updated in 2018, place the figure at around 1,500.

Ms Warr said the public needs to have confidence the system is working to feel safe.

“The Fisheries Minister and the Premier have confirmed the WA Government is reliant on CSIRO data in order to inform their actions,” she said.

“Investing in shark mitigation is important, but effective management depends on reliable and current information. How can the Government be confident its strategy is working if shark population data is years out of date? Western Australians deserve greater transparency about the data being used to justify these decisions and assess whether the strategy is achieving results.”

Ms Warr said there needed to be a review of the strategy to ensure the safety of people in the water, where practical.

“I have written to the Fisheries Minister formally requesting a review into WA’s shark mitigation strategy be conducted,” she said.

“It’s disappointing the Minister has not responded and continues to deflect responsibility instead of taking accountability. A review could provide an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the current measures, consider alternatives, and ensure public funds are being used appropriately.

“As we approach another summer, Western Australians should be able to trust that shark mitigation measures are being guided by the best up-to-date information and delivering measurable outcomes.”

Ms Warr said this is the latest in a series of errors in the Fisheries portfolio under the Cook Labor Government.

“WA has lost faith in the Cook Labor Government, when it comes to fisheries management,” she said.

“The public made their concerns known in one of the biggest petitions in the State Parliament’s history following the demersal fishing ban, which saw businesses shut with only three weeks’ notice.

“Despite the concerns, we continue to see this Minister continue to flounder when it comes to fishing in WA.”