Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 10 December 2002:

(1) Is the Minister aware that Mr Roger Bennetts, a representative of the Canadian gold mining company, Barrick Gold, which holds exploration licences at Lake Cowal, has admitted in the NSW Land and Environment Court that the company is carrying out exploration work without water licences and without a development consent for a slurry pit on Lot 23.

(2) Is the Minister aware that, although the company says it is trucking in water from West Wyalong, there appears to be evidence that the company is also taking water from a monitor bore on Lot 23 for which it has sought a licence but which has so far not been granted.

(3) Is the company's action consistent with Federal Government requirements; and if not, what action will be taken.

Senator Hill (Minister for Defence) —The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) No

(2) No

(3) The proposed gold mine at Lake Cowal (NSW) was referred to the Commonwealth under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 on 29 August 2001. It was determined not to be a `controlled action' on 29 September 2001.

The management of water resources at the mine site, including the licensing of use and disposal, is the responsibility of the NSW Government. The issues raised should therefore be taken up with that government.