❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the purchase and use of Swarbrick's farm for wastewater treatment and potential groundwater sourcing for Albany. The questions probe the rationale, planning, and timing of decisions related to the Albany Tree Farm expansion.
AnsweredQoN 2240Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the purchase of Swarbrick’s farm as an expansion site for Albany Tree Farm No.1, I ask:
(a) what hydrological or other testing was done, and by whom, prior to the purchase of the property in 2007;
(b) why was hydrological testing done in 2009;
(c) the property was purchased as for a waste-water treatment tree farm expansion site, yet now it has been identified as a potential groundwater source for Albany. What process was undertaken to determine the suitability of the property as an expansion site and who approved the purchase;
(d) was this the only option studied to cater for the expansion of the tree farm and the increased wastewater inflow, or were there others; and
(i) if so, what were they;
(e) what planning is currently being done to cater for any expansion, or increased capacity, of the tree farm; and
(f) given that the Water Corporation stated in 2004 that the Albany Tree Farm No. 1 would reach hydrological capacity by 2008, why was it not until 2006 that planning started to deal with the increased wastewater inflow?
(a) what hydrological or other testing was done, and by whom, prior to the purchase of the property in 2007;
(b) why was hydrological testing done in 2009;
(c) the property was purchased as for a waste-water treatment tree farm expansion site, yet now it has been identified as a potential groundwater source for Albany. What process was undertaken to determine the suitability of the property as an expansion site and who approved the purchase;
(d) was this the only option studied to cater for the expansion of the tree farm and the increased wastewater inflow, or were there others; and
(i) if so, what were they;
(e) what planning is currently being done to cater for any expansion, or increased capacity, of the tree farm; and
(f) given that the Water Corporation stated in 2004 that the Albany Tree Farm No. 1 would reach hydrological capacity by 2008, why was it not until 2006 that planning started to deal with the increased wastewater inflow?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 April 2010
Responded by
Minister for Water
Response time
56 days
(a) The contract to purchase the property was signed in March 2006, not 2007.
The consultants, GHD, were appointed by the Water Corporation prior to this to locate suitable sites in the vicinity of the existing tree farm for expansion. The consultants were requested to review earlier soil, landscape and environmental geology mapping investigations. Landscaping mapping was undertaken at a number of sites close to the existing tree farm.
(b) Hydrological testing of Swarbrick's farm was undertaken in 2009, after the site was identified as a possible contingency groundwater source.
This testing focussed on characterising the sustainable yield from the underlying aquifer, as well as the quality of the water. On the basis of this testing, a decision was made not to proceed with developing this source of groundwater as it is not considered to be viable in the current climate.
(c) The process used to identify suitable sites is outlined in (a).
Following the landscape mapping, the Water Corporation decided to purchase Swarbrick's farm for a new tree farm. This location had not previously been identified as a potential groundwater source until a report of extensive investigative work, undertaken by consultants acting for Grange Resources, was provided to the Corporation in January 2007. The Corporation's own investigation had shown that it is not a viable water source.
The purchase of the property was approved by the Corporation's Chief Operating Officer.
(d) This was not the only option considered.
In January 2003, the Water Corporation completed a study to examine wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal for Albany. Options examined for the disposal of wastewater included evaporation; groundwater injection; ocean disposal; wastewater re-use; expansion of the existing tree farm and indirect disposal in combination with an Environmental Improvement Initiative to reduce catchment nutrients.
(e) Following a recent internal review, the Water Corporation decided to progress with expansion of the tree farm at Swarbrick's farm which will satisfy short and medium-term disposal requirements. The Corporation is still in the process of acquiring additional land in the vicinity of the existing tree farm for long term treated wastewater disposal.
(f) In 2002, the Water Corporation commenced planning for the disposal of surplus treated wastewater. This planning resulted in the acquisition of Swarbrick's farm.
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The consultants, GHD, were appointed by the Water Corporation prior to this to locate suitable sites in the vicinity of the existing tree farm for expansion. The consultants were requested to review earlier soil, landscape and environmental geology mapping investigations. Landscaping mapping was undertaken at a number of sites close to the existing tree farm.
(b) Hydrological testing of Swarbrick's farm was undertaken in 2009, after the site was identified as a possible contingency groundwater source.
This testing focussed on characterising the sustainable yield from the underlying aquifer, as well as the quality of the water. On the basis of this testing, a decision was made not to proceed with developing this source of groundwater as it is not considered to be viable in the current climate.
(c) The process used to identify suitable sites is outlined in (a).
Following the landscape mapping, the Water Corporation decided to purchase Swarbrick's farm for a new tree farm. This location had not previously been identified as a potential groundwater source until a report of extensive investigative work, undertaken by consultants acting for Grange Resources, was provided to the Corporation in January 2007. The Corporation's own investigation had shown that it is not a viable water source.
The purchase of the property was approved by the Corporation's Chief Operating Officer.
(d) This was not the only option considered.
In January 2003, the Water Corporation completed a study to examine wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal for Albany. Options examined for the disposal of wastewater included evaporation; groundwater injection; ocean disposal; wastewater re-use; expansion of the existing tree farm and indirect disposal in combination with an Environmental Improvement Initiative to reduce catchment nutrients.
(e) Following a recent internal review, the Water Corporation decided to progress with expansion of the tree farm at Swarbrick's farm which will satisfy short and medium-term disposal requirements. The Corporation is still in the process of acquiring additional land in the vicinity of the existing tree farm for long term treated wastewater disposal.
(f) In 2002, the Water Corporation commenced planning for the disposal of surplus treated wastewater. This planning resulted in the acquisition of Swarbrick's farm.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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