❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the annual opening of Wilson Inlet, inquiring about decision-making authority, statutory basis, opening criteria, reasons for opening in 2006 despite low water levels, water level at opening, and flushing success. The Water Corporation manages the opening in consultation with stakeholders to prevent flooding, operating under the Water Services Licensing Act and Water Corporation Act.
AnsweredQoN 4437Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the annual opening of the Wilson Inlet into the Southern Ocean, I ask -
(1) Which Department has the final say over the location and timing of the opening?
(2) What statutory authority do they act under?
(3) What criteria and principles are used in deciding when and where to open the Inlet to the ocean?
(4) Why was Wilson Inlet opened this year, when the Inlet had not filled?
(5) What level was the Inlet at the time of opening?
(6) Since the opening, has the Inlet successfully flushed in terms of -
(a) volumetric outflow of water and silt; and
(b) period of outflow?
(1) Which Department has the final say over the location and timing of the opening?
(2) What statutory authority do they act under?
(3) What criteria and principles are used in deciding when and where to open the Inlet to the ocean?
(4) Why was Wilson Inlet opened this year, when the Inlet had not filled?
(5) What level was the Inlet at the time of opening?
(6) Since the opening, has the Inlet successfully flushed in terms of -
(a) volumetric outflow of water and silt; and
(b) period of outflow?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2007
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Water Resources
Response time
116 days
(b) period of outflow?
(2) The Water Services Licensing Act 1995 and the Water Corporation Act 1995 . (3) The Water Corporation annually meets with major stakeholders who have an interest in the Wilson Inlet opening. This group consists of members from the Wilson Inlet Management Advisory Group, the Shire of Denmark, local commercial fishing groups, farmers and property owners covered by the Albany Drainage District, Department of Water, Department of Environment and Conservation, Denmark Surf Lifesaving Club and Shire rangers. The group meets each year under direction from the Water Corporation when the Wilson Inlet is required to be opened because of high water levels in the inlet or when flooding in other areas of the Inlet causes inconvenience to land owners. The group discusses and agrees to the location and opening date for the inlet, particularly with reference to tidal movement. The decision is published in the local media to inform the public of the event. Since 1997, there has been an endorsed position of supporting sandbar openings within 100 metres of the western cliffs, as this has the greatest level of community support. (4) It was opened to alleviate flooding of properties at the rear of Wilson Inlet, at Nenamup Inlet and Lake Saidie. While the levels of Wilson Inlet were low this year, the catchment areas of Lake Saidie and Nenamup Inlet were higher and causing flooding of several properties. The only way to alleviate the flooding was to open the Wilson Inlet. This has been management practice since the late 1890s. (5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(3) The Water Corporation annually meets with major stakeholders who have an interest in the Wilson Inlet opening. This group consists of members from the Wilson Inlet Management Advisory Group, the Shire of Denmark, local commercial fishing groups, farmers and property owners covered by the Albany Drainage District, Department of Water, Department of Environment and Conservation, Denmark Surf Lifesaving Club and Shire rangers. The group meets each year under direction from the Water Corporation when the Wilson Inlet is required to be opened because of high water levels in the inlet or when flooding in other areas of the Inlet causes inconvenience to land owners. The group discusses and agrees to the location and opening date for the inlet, particularly with reference to tidal movement. The decision is published in the local media to inform the public of the event. Since 1997, there has been an endorsed position of supporting sandbar openings within 100 metres of the western cliffs, as this has the greatest level of community support. (4) It was opened to alleviate flooding of properties at the rear of Wilson Inlet, at Nenamup Inlet and Lake Saidie. While the levels of Wilson Inlet were low this year, the catchment areas of Lake Saidie and Nenamup Inlet were higher and causing flooding of several properties. The only way to alleviate the flooding was to open the Wilson Inlet. This has been management practice since the late 1890s. (5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(4) It was opened to alleviate flooding of properties at the rear of Wilson Inlet, at Nenamup Inlet and Lake Saidie. While the levels of Wilson Inlet were low this year, the catchment areas of Lake Saidie and Nenamup Inlet were higher and causing flooding of several properties. The only way to alleviate the flooding was to open the Wilson Inlet. This has been management practice since the late 1890s. (5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(2) The Water Services Licensing Act 1995 and the Water Corporation Act 1995 . (3) The Water Corporation annually meets with major stakeholders who have an interest in the Wilson Inlet opening. This group consists of members from the Wilson Inlet Management Advisory Group, the Shire of Denmark, local commercial fishing groups, farmers and property owners covered by the Albany Drainage District, Department of Water, Department of Environment and Conservation, Denmark Surf Lifesaving Club and Shire rangers. The group meets each year under direction from the Water Corporation when the Wilson Inlet is required to be opened because of high water levels in the inlet or when flooding in other areas of the Inlet causes inconvenience to land owners. The group discusses and agrees to the location and opening date for the inlet, particularly with reference to tidal movement. The decision is published in the local media to inform the public of the event. Since 1997, there has been an endorsed position of supporting sandbar openings within 100 metres of the western cliffs, as this has the greatest level of community support. (4) It was opened to alleviate flooding of properties at the rear of Wilson Inlet, at Nenamup Inlet and Lake Saidie. While the levels of Wilson Inlet were low this year, the catchment areas of Lake Saidie and Nenamup Inlet were higher and causing flooding of several properties. The only way to alleviate the flooding was to open the Wilson Inlet. This has been management practice since the late 1890s. (5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(3) The Water Corporation annually meets with major stakeholders who have an interest in the Wilson Inlet opening. This group consists of members from the Wilson Inlet Management Advisory Group, the Shire of Denmark, local commercial fishing groups, farmers and property owners covered by the Albany Drainage District, Department of Water, Department of Environment and Conservation, Denmark Surf Lifesaving Club and Shire rangers. The group meets each year under direction from the Water Corporation when the Wilson Inlet is required to be opened because of high water levels in the inlet or when flooding in other areas of the Inlet causes inconvenience to land owners. The group discusses and agrees to the location and opening date for the inlet, particularly with reference to tidal movement. The decision is published in the local media to inform the public of the event. Since 1997, there has been an endorsed position of supporting sandbar openings within 100 metres of the western cliffs, as this has the greatest level of community support. (4) It was opened to alleviate flooding of properties at the rear of Wilson Inlet, at Nenamup Inlet and Lake Saidie. While the levels of Wilson Inlet were low this year, the catchment areas of Lake Saidie and Nenamup Inlet were higher and causing flooding of several properties. The only way to alleviate the flooding was to open the Wilson Inlet. This has been management practice since the late 1890s. (5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(4) It was opened to alleviate flooding of properties at the rear of Wilson Inlet, at Nenamup Inlet and Lake Saidie. While the levels of Wilson Inlet were low this year, the catchment areas of Lake Saidie and Nenamup Inlet were higher and causing flooding of several properties. The only way to alleviate the flooding was to open the Wilson Inlet. This has been management practice since the late 1890s. (5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(5) 0.86 metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD). (6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
(6) (a)-(b) The Wilson Inlet opening was successful in lowering the level of the inlet and other areas adjoining the inlet to sea level. The Water Corporation is not required to measure volumetric outflow and the amount of water, sediment and nutrients discharged through the opening is influenced by many factors, such as rainfall, river flows, inlet water levels, sea levels and barometric pressures. The Wilson Inlet was opened on 4 October 2006 and it closed on 16 December 2006.
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