SHADOW Agriculture Minister, Mick Murray, has called for a moratorium on the so-called Parmelia aquifer water licence dispute.
Dismissing the Department of Water's latest move to extend the public submission deadline to January 31, 2011, Mr Murray said "the process should stop so a study can be done to educate people".
"What we have at the moment is a scenario with a lot of unanswered questions," he said.
"And I don't believe any individual or company should have the right to, in this case, secure 86 per cent of an aquifer.
"There is a need for an in-depth independent geological study to assess the draw-down and impacts on agriculture.
"This has very serious implications for agriculture."
Last week, the Department of Water issued a media release in relation to Karara Mining Limited's (KML) application for a licence to take 5.3 gigalitres from the Parmelia Aquifer in the Mingenew sub area.
The Department of Water's Mid West acting regional manager, Adam Maskew, said the department had heard the community concerns and extended the closing date for submissions.
"We are keen to respond to the community's requests in relation to the process, and the department will hold another meeting in Mingenew to respond to submissions before the final decision is made," Mr Maskew said.
"In turn, Karara Mining Limited (KML) has honoured its commitment to release the hydro geological report and groundwater-dependent ecosystem study to the wider community to assist this public submissions process.
"These reports are now available from the KML website (www.gindalbie.com.au) and are titled, 'Yandanooka GIA Report', 'Yandanooka GIA Report Figures' and 'Yandanooka GDE Investigation'.
"The department urges the community to read the reports before making written submissions and forwarding them to PO Box 73, Geraldton WA 6531, or wrl.geraldton@water.wa.gov.au quoting reference RF6663.
"Submissions will be taken into account in the assessment of the application and a final decision in relation to the licence is expected to be made before June 30, 2011."
But Mr Murray said farmers, particularly, needed to have more factual information on which to base submissions.
"A lot of submissions might be put forward but most will be based on hearsay and not on facts," he said.
"My preference would be face-to-face meetings with farmers so they can get some answers to the questions they are posing.
"They should feel they are getting a fair go in their requests to have equitable rights to water licences rather than feeling they are being bullied out of their rights."
Residents in the affected area are concerned that if Karara is given the licence, the four shires that use water from the aquifer for town supplies could run out of water.
The communities believe the removal of such a large amount of water from the aquifer will also directly affect local families who draw water from the aquifer for household and agricultural use.
It also would impact on wetlands and ecosystems in the region.
Many farmers in the region have developed plans to diversify into horticultural production but claim Karara could destroy these plans and devalue the land.
Greenoil Tree Nursery principal, Ian Pulbrook, who recently spent $50,000 on irrigation equipment to expand his asparagus production, said if Karara's licence application was accepted, Greenoil would be unable to obtain its licence increase due to the first-come, first-served policy of the Department of Water.
Mingenew farmer, Zoe Campbell, who runs a mixed-farming enterprise with her husband, Rob, said all the farm's water came from the Parmelia aquifer.
She said they were also considering diversifying into horticulture but it wouldn't be possible if Karara was granted the licence.
"We can't get a licence if Karara gets 86 per cent of the water," she said.
Karara Mining chief executive officer, Steve Murdoch, said Karara Mining was currently going through a comprehensive process in consultation with the Department of Water.
"Karara has conducted extensive test work to ensure the extraction and subsequent water draw-down on the aquifer will be sustainable long term," Mr Murdoch said.
Should the Department of Water find that other users of the aquifer were materially affected by Karara, the department could limit or cut-off Karara's access to the water.
"Karara believes the strict conditions of its licence mean the interests of other water users are completely protected," Mr Murdoch said.
"Therefore it believes the claims being made about the consequences of its water use are totally wrong."
Agriculture and Food Minister, Terry Redman, said the Agriculture and Food Department was supporting the local community to help them understand the water licensing process, the State's water policy and technical information on local resources.
"I support the development of a horticulture industry in the Mid West," he said.
"The department has a project underway which is analysing future land and water demand for horticulture in the Northern Agricultural Region and is also planning a horticultural exploration workshop in the Mingenew area in February."
"The Department of Water is the State's water resources manager.
"The Agriculture and Food Department is working with the Department of Water to respond to the concerns of the local community.
"The two departments are also working together to assess options for allocating water other than the current first-in, first-served approach."
