❓ A parliamentary question probes the Water Corporation's stance on cloud seeding to augment WA's water supply, referencing Hydro Tasmania's experience. The response indicates skepticism due to unsuitable meteorological conditions and high research costs.
AnsweredQoN 285Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
The Water Corporation asserts that the critical water crisis that has plagued Perth over the past 15 years is the result of lack of rain and subsequent inflows into dams. Meanwhile, Hydro Tasmania has invested several million dollars each year for the past 38 years in cloud seeding to ensure increased rainfall. (1) What is the Water Corporation’s attitude to cloud seeding as a means of boosting Western Australia’s water supply? (2) (a) When, in the past, did the Water Corporation undertake an investigation into the viability of the cloud seeding program? (b) How much money was spent in the course of the investigation? (3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(1) What is the Water Corporation’s attitude to cloud seeding as a means of boosting Western Australia’s water supply? (2) (a) When, in the past, did the Water Corporation undertake an investigation into the viability of the cloud seeding program? (b) How much money was spent in the course of the investigation? (3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(2) (a) When, in the past, did the Water Corporation undertake an investigation into the viability of the cloud seeding program? (b) How much money was spent in the course of the investigation? (3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(b) How much money was spent in the course of the investigation? (3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(1) What is the Water Corporation’s attitude to cloud seeding as a means of boosting Western Australia’s water supply? (2) (a) When, in the past, did the Water Corporation undertake an investigation into the viability of the cloud seeding program? (b) How much money was spent in the course of the investigation? (3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(2) (a) When, in the past, did the Water Corporation undertake an investigation into the viability of the cloud seeding program? (b) How much money was spent in the course of the investigation? (3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(b) How much money was spent in the course of the investigation? (3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(3) On what dates was the Water Corporation involved in practical cloud seeding exercises in Western Australia or any other Australian State? (4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(4) (a) When will the Water Corporation undertake a program of cloud seeding for Western Australia? (b) Can it be assumed that the Water Corporation will be drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s many years of experience in this field? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(1) There is no evidence that the meteorological conditions in south west Western Australia provide the opportunity for cloud seeding to usefully increase run-off to reservoirs supplying the integrated water supply system. This position is supported by a report published by the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in May 1995, entitled “Guidelines for the utilisation of cloud seeding as a tool for water management in Australia”. (2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(2) (a) The Public Works Department undertook a significant cloud observation and cloud seeding operation from May 1967 to March 1969. The Water Corporation has reconsidered the viability of cloud seeding to increase catchment rainfall from time to time. (b) The actual cost of the 1967-1969 operation is not known, but it was significant as it included 595 flying hours over 280 days of flying. (3) The practical cloud seeding exercise was carried out from May 1967 to March 1969. (4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
(4) (a) The corporation does not propose to undertake a program of cloud seeding until new scientific evidence indicates that the high cost and substantial time frame for a research trial is likely to generate a favourable result. (b) The corporation is aware of the experience of Hydro Tasmania and the different meteorological conditions under which the program is undertaken.
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