❓ The Minister addresses concerns regarding the feasibility of using underground coal voids in Collie for water storage, outlining ongoing investigations into water quality, salinity, and acidity as part of the Collie River Salinity Recovery Project. Results are pending, with public release planned upon completion.
AnsweredQoN 4440Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the use of underground coal voids in Collie to store water -
(1) Has the Minister assessed the capacity to store water in these underground coal voids?
(2) Has the Minister investigated issues of -
(a) water quality;
(b) salinity; and
(c) acidity?
(3) If yes to (1) and (2), what were the outcomes of these investigations?
(4) Will the Minister make those documents available?
(5) If no to (1) and (2), why not?
(6) When will the Minister undertake these investigations?
(7) When will the Minister undertake to publish the outcome?
(1) Has the Minister assessed the capacity to store water in these underground coal voids?
(2) Has the Minister investigated issues of -
(a) water quality;
(b) salinity; and
(c) acidity?
(3) If yes to (1) and (2), what were the outcomes of these investigations?
(4) Will the Minister make those documents available?
(5) If no to (1) and (2), why not?
(6) When will the Minister undertake these investigations?
(7) When will the Minister undertake to publish the outcome?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 March 2007
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Water Resources
Response time
112 days
(b) salinity; and (c) acidity?
(c) acidity?
(2)(a) - (c) Yes. In assessing the capacity of open-cut mining voids to store water, issues of water quality, salinity and acidity are being investigated. The Collie River Salinity Recovery Project, which is funded through the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and managed by the DoW, has undertaken two trial diversions from the East Branch of the Collie River at Buckingham. In 2005, approximately 1 GL of water was diverted into the Chicken Creek 4 mine void. In 2006, approximately 2 GL of water was diverted; meaning more than 13 000 tonnes of salt did not enter the dam. As part of these trials the river water, the void water and the groundwater surrounding the void have been and continue to be monitored for water levels, acidity, salinity, heavy metals and major ions. (3) The outcomes of these investigations are still to be determined. The results from the first two years of monitoring are currently being collated and will then be analysed. A decision whether further monitoring is required prior to final analysis and reporting will then be made. (4) The DoW will make this information available on completion of the investigations. (5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(3) The outcomes of these investigations are still to be determined. The results from the first two years of monitoring are currently being collated and will then be analysed. A decision whether further monitoring is required prior to final analysis and reporting will then be made. (4) The DoW will make this information available on completion of the investigations. (5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(4) The DoW will make this information available on completion of the investigations. (5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(7) Please refer to part (4).
(c) acidity?
(2)(a) - (c) Yes. In assessing the capacity of open-cut mining voids to store water, issues of water quality, salinity and acidity are being investigated. The Collie River Salinity Recovery Project, which is funded through the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and managed by the DoW, has undertaken two trial diversions from the East Branch of the Collie River at Buckingham. In 2005, approximately 1 GL of water was diverted into the Chicken Creek 4 mine void. In 2006, approximately 2 GL of water was diverted; meaning more than 13 000 tonnes of salt did not enter the dam. As part of these trials the river water, the void water and the groundwater surrounding the void have been and continue to be monitored for water levels, acidity, salinity, heavy metals and major ions. (3) The outcomes of these investigations are still to be determined. The results from the first two years of monitoring are currently being collated and will then be analysed. A decision whether further monitoring is required prior to final analysis and reporting will then be made. (4) The DoW will make this information available on completion of the investigations. (5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(3) The outcomes of these investigations are still to be determined. The results from the first two years of monitoring are currently being collated and will then be analysed. A decision whether further monitoring is required prior to final analysis and reporting will then be made. (4) The DoW will make this information available on completion of the investigations. (5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(4) The DoW will make this information available on completion of the investigations. (5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(5) Not applicable. (6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(6) Please refer to part (2). (7) Please refer to part (4).
(7) Please refer to part (4).
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