❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the government's actions and plans regarding salinity management in the wheat belt, including salt water removal, flood mitigation, and the use of salt lakes for disposal. The Minister's response outlines the Salinity Strategy, partnerships with farming groups, and various engineering approaches being evaluated.
AnsweredQoN 224Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What action, if any, has been taken to remove salt water from the saline valleys of the Western Australian wheat belt? (2) What further action, if any, is planned in the next three years to remove salt water from the saline valleys of the Western Australian wheat belt? (3) What methods are used to remove this salt water? (4) If no action is being taken to remove this water, what plans does the Government have to mitigate against flooding? (5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 September 2000
Response time
27 days
(1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(2) What further action, if any, is planned in the next three years to remove salt water from the saline valleys of the Western Australian wheat belt? (3) What methods are used to remove this salt water? (4) If no action is being taken to remove this water, what plans does the Government have to mitigate against flooding? (5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(3) What methods are used to remove this salt water? (4) If no action is being taken to remove this water, what plans does the Government have to mitigate against flooding? (5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(4) If no action is being taken to remove this water, what plans does the Government have to mitigate against flooding? (5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(2) What further action, if any, is planned in the next three years to remove salt water from the saline valleys of the Western Australian wheat belt? (3) What methods are used to remove this salt water? (4) If no action is being taken to remove this water, what plans does the Government have to mitigate against flooding? (5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(3) What methods are used to remove this salt water? (4) If no action is being taken to remove this water, what plans does the Government have to mitigate against flooding? (5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(4) If no action is being taken to remove this water, what plans does the Government have to mitigate against flooding? (5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(5) If action is being taken to remove this water from the saline valleys, where is the water removed to? (6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(6) Does the Government intend to use the existing salt lakes or purpose built ponds as evaporating basins to dispose of the water pumped from the saline valleys? (7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
(7) If the salt lakes are used as evaporating basins as well as flood mitigation basins, will the Government ensure that each one has a regulated outlet to drain it before the next rain events in order to reduce the flood potential? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The Salinity Strategy released in March 2000 identifies various tools to fight salinity. It is not always necessary to remove the salt water if the salt can be stabilised deep in soil profiles, as occurs under native vegetation. (2) The Government is working in partnership with farming groups and communities to fight salinity. A number of joint projects are being carried out in key catchments (eg. Toolibin, Dumbleyung). (3) A number of engineering approaches are being evaluated, including pumping from paleochannels, directing surface water past key assets, deep drainage, and pressure relief wells. (4) The Government is supporting the revegetation of salt-affected land to both dry the soil profile and to slow the movement of flood waters. Engineering options are also removing some water but this is a small amount. (5) The Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments which includes salt lakes. (6) Under the Salinity Strategy the Government is identifying safe disposal sites in catchments. Design criteria for evaporation basins have been developed and published. (7) Regulating the level of water in salt lakes is a controversial issue in many rural communities because high levels can exacerbate salinity in surrounding farmland (eg. Yenyenning Lakes). At this stage there are no plans to embark on a systematic program to regulate lake levels.
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