Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

I asked this question some time ago in relation to the Waratah Reservoir. Two of the four questions were not answered. I will ask those two questions.r

With regard to questions and responses I have previously received in relation to Waratah Reservoir, I asked the question:

(2) TasWater commissioned Nic Haygarth to provide a report on the historical/cultural significance of the reservoir. Why was this not publicly available? Will TasWater release the report to the community?

That question was not answered in any format.

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Legislative Council Thursday 10 December, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Waratah Reservoir, I am informed that TasWater has sought permission from DPIPWE to decommission the Waratah Reservoir during the week of 8th of December. Please provide full details regarding:

1. The contents of this application;

TasWater Response:

TasWater has recently submitted a Dam Works Permit application to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) to decommission the dam.

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Legislative Council Wednesday 09 December, 2020

Mrs Hiscutt (by leave) tabled and incorporated the following answers to questions on notice.

Ms FORREST asked a question of the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council -

With regard to Ambulance Tasmania response times, staffing levels and procedures in the north-west region municipal areas of Burnie, Waratah/Wynyard, West Coast, Circular Head, Central Coast, Devonport, Latrobe, and Kentish -

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Legislative Council Tuesday 08 December, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

1. In response to my question on 28 October your answer noted that TasWater reduced the level of the Waratah Reservoir in accordance with the Water Management Act 1999 Section 165G because of an Emergency situation. Under the Act a “Consequence Category Assessment” is required.

a. Please provide the full details of this assessment that prompted TasWater to act.

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Legislative Council Tuesday 08 December, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the referral to the Sentencing Advisory Council regarding consideration of non-fatal strangulation, in Estimates Committee hearings on November 24 in the Legislative Council Committee B hearings you stated:

I have requested that council undertake research as a matter of priority; …
I am mindful that we don't want to have a perverse outcome by having a standalone offence, which is, on the face of it, very attractive. … That is why I have handed it to the Sentencing Advisory Council to look at a range of different issues.

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Legislative Council Tuesday 17 November, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

The Treasurer's Annual Financial Report 2019 20 notes on page 83, Regarding other liabilities, $620 million in onerous contracts relate to Hydro Tasmania's onerous contracts.

(1) Why are the onerous contracts related to Aurora not included in this line item?

(2) If the liability related to Aurora's onerous contracts is noted, where is it noted?

(3) If these have been omitted will this be corrected?

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Legislative Council Tuesday 10 November, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

As noted in Hydro Tasmania’s recently released 2019/20 Annual Report a significant write down of generation assets was recorded due to reductions in future expected revenue. 

Noting that Marinus Link business case is based on estimates of future electricity prices;
1. Will TasNetworks review the business case; and
a. If not, why not?

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Legislative Council Tuesday 10 November, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

As noted in Hydro Tasmania’s recently released 2019/20 Annual Report a significant write down of generation assets was recorded due to reductions in future expected revenue. Hydro Tasmania’s overall book value declined by $219 million in 2019/20 and Hydro’s balance sheet suffered a further loss following a $249 million decline in 2018/19.

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Legislative Council Wednesday  28 October, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT 

With regard to the answers to my questions without notice of the week of 14 October regarding the Waratah Reservoir:

1. Please provide:

a. Evidence that permits were granted for TasWater to commence works in 2017 pursuant to the Water Management Act 1999 (the Act);

b. Details of who issued the permits;

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Legislative Council Tuesday 27 October, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT answered by DEPUTY LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms HOWLETT

With regard to the answers to my questions without notice of the week of 14 October regarding the Waratah Reservoir -

(1) Please provide -

(a) evidence that permits were granted for TasWater to commence works in 2017 pursuant to the Water Management Act 1989;

(b) details of who issued the permits;

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Legislative Council Thursday 15 October, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

The Charter of Budget Responsibility Act 2007 provides for the preparation and updating of a fiscal strategy statement. Sections 4 and 5(1) and (2) state:

4. Purpose of fiscal strategy statement

The purpose of a fiscal strategy statement is to –
(a) establish a benchmark for evaluating the Government's fiscal performance; and
(b) increase public awareness of the fiscal policies of the Government and Opposition parties.

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Legislative Council Thursday 15 October, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Heritage Tasmania and the Heritage Register:

1. Which Local Government Areas (LGA) have undertaken municipal heritage surveys with Heritage Tasmania; and
(a) for each LGA what year were they completed;

2. Which councils since the year 2000 have had funding provided by Heritage Tasmania to create and/or manage their own local heritage schedules;

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Legislative Council Thursday 15 October, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the reservoir at Waratah that has previously been used by TasWater, I understand from LIST PID information regarding the Waratah Reservoir and associated infrastructure that all elements and infrastructure related to this reservoir are located on Crown Land and thus not owned by TasWater:

1. Can the Leader confirm that this is the case;
2. If the land is entirely owned by the Crown please advise under what authority/permission Taswater has;

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Legislative Council Tuesday 22 September, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the North-West Regional Hospital hydrotherapy pool which was closed on 25 March due to COVID-19 and remains closed, I note that in a newspaper article dated 19 August a Tasmanian Health Service spokesman said that:

“…services would recommence at the pool once it is determined safe for patients and staff”

1 What is the reason for the delay in re-commencement of services?

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Legislative Council Wednesday 16 September, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Burnie Court re-location to a more suitable premises:

1. When, and in what form, will genuine community consultation occur with stakeholders in the vicinity of the proposed UTAS location including neighbouring residents, Unima Park Aged Care and Burnie Primary School Parent groups who feel concerned by this announcement that occurred with no prior notice this site was being considered?

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Legislative Council Tuesday 15 September, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard the nursing staffing levels and hours at the North West Regional Hospital:

1. How many double shifts have been worked by nurses, RN’s and EN’s, in the last 3 months in each of the following areas DEM, ICU, OT, surgical ward and medical wards and Spencer Clinic;

2. How many overtime hours have been worked by nurses, RN’s and EN’s, in the last 3 months in each of the following areas DEM, ICU, OT, surgical ward and medical wards and Spencer Clinic;

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Legislative Council Tuesday 15 September, 2020

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the COVID-19 workplace safety arrangements in place for staff, paramedics and patients utilising the North West Regional Hospital, particularly the DEM waiting room and triage areas what specific measures are in place to:

1. Ensure appropriate social distancing.

2. Provide general warmth, safety and comfort to patients waiting to be seen or to be collected when being discharged from the DEM.

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Legislative Council Thursday 27 August, 2020 

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to public reports of a concerning workplace culture at Heritage Tasmania:

1. Is the Minister aware that a staff satisfaction survey was recently conducted by CPSU;

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Legislative Council Wednesday 26 August, 2020 

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for SPORT AND RECREATION, Ms HOWLETT

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on to a number of businesses in our state. One sector particularly impacted is the gyms, particularly the small privately owned gyms around the state, where the restrictions that have been imposed on them do not work. They do not have the number of members. Most of them, particularly some small ones in my electorate, have gone to extraordinary lengths to put in place measures, but every time they try, they are still knocked back on the option to be open 24 hours, even with cameras and diligent COVID-19 safety plans. This is pushing some businesses to the wall and stressing the mental health significantly of some of these very small business owners.

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Legislative Council Wednesday 26 August, 2020 

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the number of ear, nose and throat - ENT - surgeries in Tasmania prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and further reductions made to assist with COVID-19 health planning -

(1) Were the number of ENT surgeries reduced prior to the COVID-19 pandemic measures? If so, what was the reason for this reduction and what impacts did it have on waiting lists and waiting times?

(2) What decisions regarding reductions in ENT surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic were made as with all areas of electric surgery?

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