❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses water availability in dams supplying the metropolitan area, government concerns, potential water restrictions, and contingency plans to supplement water supplies. The Minister acknowledges the low dam levels and outlines existing water source development programs.
AnsweredQoN 1325Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Given that the south west of Western Australia has received a normal average rainfall - (1) Can the minister confirm the volume of water that is available, expressed as a percentage of capacity, in all dams supplying the metropolitan area? (2) Is that percentage of concern to the Government? (3) Will water restrictions be necessary - and, if so, of what magnitude - over the summer months? (4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(1) Can the minister confirm the volume of water that is available, expressed as a percentage of capacity, in all dams supplying the metropolitan area? (2) Is that percentage of concern to the Government? (3) Will water restrictions be necessary - and, if so, of what magnitude - over the summer months? (4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(2) Is that percentage of concern to the Government? (3) Will water restrictions be necessary - and, if so, of what magnitude - over the summer months? (4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(3) Will water restrictions be necessary - and, if so, of what magnitude - over the summer months? (4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(1) Can the minister confirm the volume of water that is available, expressed as a percentage of capacity, in all dams supplying the metropolitan area? (2) Is that percentage of concern to the Government? (3) Will water restrictions be necessary - and, if so, of what magnitude - over the summer months? (4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(2) Is that percentage of concern to the Government? (3) Will water restrictions be necessary - and, if so, of what magnitude - over the summer months? (4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(3) Will water restrictions be necessary - and, if so, of what magnitude - over the summer months? (4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(4) In light of the diminishing water supplies in our dams, does the Government have any contingency plans for supplementing Perth water supplies; and, if so, will the minister provide details? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(1) As at 14 October 2003, 38.5 per cent in dams providing water to the integrated scheme that supplies Perth, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey, the goldfields and agricultural regions. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(2) Yes. (3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(3) Yes, the current two-day per week sprinkler regime will continue. (4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
(4) Not applicable. Since 2001 the Government has spent in excess of $100 million on a rapid response water source development program. This has included 12 new bores, nine at Mirrabooka and three into the deep Yarragadee aquifer beneath Perth, and two new pipehead dams on Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek. In addition, an investigation of the feasibility of desalination has been completed and work is currently under way to map the south west Yarragadee resource.
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