A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about increased groundwater draw due to water banking in hills storage dams and the drying/burning of wetlands on the Gnangara mound. The Minister denies increased groundwater draw and confirms wetland drying/burning is a known issue, often due to peat fires.

AnsweredQoN 800Legislative Council
Asked
21 September 2006
Portfolio
Water Resources

QuestionView source ↗

WATER RESOURCES - DAM STORAGE
Further to my question without notice 738 of 14 September 2006 relating to water resources, the minister has said that water is being banked for future use in our hills storage dams. (1) Does this mean that there is an increased draw on our ground water reserves? (2) If yes, what is the overall percentage increase, and how much of the increased drawdown is coming from, firstly, the Gnangara mound and, secondly, the Jandakot mound? (3) What percentage increase is this over the amount drawn in the past five years? (4) Can the minister confirm that wetlands on the Gnangara mound have dried out and have recently been burning? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for providing some notice of the question. (1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
(1) Does this mean that there is an increased draw on our ground water reserves? (2) If yes, what is the overall percentage increase, and how much of the increased drawdown is coming from, firstly, the Gnangara mound and, secondly, the Jandakot mound? (3) What percentage increase is this over the amount drawn in the past five years? (4) Can the minister confirm that wetlands on the Gnangara mound have dried out and have recently been burning? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for providing some notice of the question. (1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
(2) If yes, what is the overall percentage increase, and how much of the increased drawdown is coming from, firstly, the Gnangara mound and, secondly, the Jandakot mound? (3) What percentage increase is this over the amount drawn in the past five years? (4) Can the minister confirm that wetlands on the Gnangara mound have dried out and have recently been burning? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for providing some notice of the question. (1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
(3) What percentage increase is this over the amount drawn in the past five years? (4) Can the minister confirm that wetlands on the Gnangara mound have dried out and have recently been burning? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for providing some notice of the question. (1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
(4) Can the minister confirm that wetlands on the Gnangara mound have dried out and have recently been burning? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for providing some notice of the question. (1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for providing some notice of the question. (1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for providing some notice of the question. (1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
(1) There is no increased draw on ground water for the purpose of banked water in our hills storage dams. (2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
(2)-(3) Not applicable. (4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.
(4) The Department of Water has advised that a number of wetlands on the Gnangara mound seasonally dry out, many of which have underlying peat deposits.  Occasionally, these peat deposits are ignited, often as a result of local burning that gets out of control or lightning strikes.  The City of Wanneroo’s community fire officer has advised the Department of Water that Lake Neerabup is currently burning.  It was caused by a landowner burning at the edge of the lake.

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