Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Speaker, in writing, on 26 November 2009:

(1)

What water harvesting arrangements are in place at Parliament House, including where and how it is stored, and the storage capacity.

(2)

What amount of water (a) has been harvested at Parliament House each calendar year since 1999, and (b) is currently in storage.

(3)

For what purpose(s) is the water harvested at Parliament House used.

(4)

Why is the water harvested at Parliament House not used to run the water features, and will it be used for this purpose in the future; if not, what plans are in place for running the water features at Parliament House in the future.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

(1)

In February 2009, the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) installed a 45,000 litre water tank in the public car park below the building forecourt.The tank is used to store rainwater harvested from the forecourt. Water from the tank is then used to run the forecourt water feature which was reactivated in May 2008.The rainwater captured is insufficient to fully meet the requirements of the water feature. Any additional water required is obtained from the Lower Molonglo Treatment Plant and delivered to Parliament House by a tanker.

(2)

The amount of water harvested from the forecourt is not measured.

(3)

The water harvested is used solely for the purpose of providing water to the forecourt water feature.

(4)

In addition to the recommissioning of the forecourt water feature, DPS is currently investigating the recommissioning of three additional high profile water features, namely those located in:

(a)

Aussies Courtyard;

(b)

the Ministerial entrance; and

(c)

the Formal Gardens opposite the House of Representatives entrance.