❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses stream salinity in the South West, questioning the government's commitment to remediation and proposing alternative solutions. The Minister responds, outlining ongoing efforts and research initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 584Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Madam Deputy Speaker, we are enjoying your attention to the top job and look forward to many more days of it! I refer to the Department of Environment’s new report entitled “Stream Salinity Status and Trends in the South West of Western Australia”, which found that many of our rivers are beyond repair due to extreme salt levels. (1) Has the Department of Environment given up on the state’s worst affected rivers? (2) Will the minister consider funding a scientific study into the National Party’s Living Lakes 2030 plan, which promotes the use of terminal saltwater catchments, upgrading saline farm run-off and freshwater run-off? (3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
I refer to the Department of Environment’s new report entitled “Stream Salinity Status and Trends in the South West of Western Australia”, which found that many of our rivers are beyond repair due to extreme salt levels. (1) Has the Department of Environment given up on the state’s worst affected rivers? (2) Will the minister consider funding a scientific study into the National Party’s Living Lakes 2030 plan, which promotes the use of terminal saltwater catchments, upgrading saline farm run-off and freshwater run-off? (3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(1) Has the Department of Environment given up on the state’s worst affected rivers? (2) Will the minister consider funding a scientific study into the National Party’s Living Lakes 2030 plan, which promotes the use of terminal saltwater catchments, upgrading saline farm run-off and freshwater run-off? (3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(2) Will the minister consider funding a scientific study into the National Party’s Living Lakes 2030 plan, which promotes the use of terminal saltwater catchments, upgrading saline farm run-off and freshwater run-off? (3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
I refer to the Department of Environment’s new report entitled “Stream Salinity Status and Trends in the South West of Western Australia”, which found that many of our rivers are beyond repair due to extreme salt levels. (1) Has the Department of Environment given up on the state’s worst affected rivers? (2) Will the minister consider funding a scientific study into the National Party’s Living Lakes 2030 plan, which promotes the use of terminal saltwater catchments, upgrading saline farm run-off and freshwater run-off? (3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(1) Has the Department of Environment given up on the state’s worst affected rivers? (2) Will the minister consider funding a scientific study into the National Party’s Living Lakes 2030 plan, which promotes the use of terminal saltwater catchments, upgrading saline farm run-off and freshwater run-off? (3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(2) Will the minister consider funding a scientific study into the National Party’s Living Lakes 2030 plan, which promotes the use of terminal saltwater catchments, upgrading saline farm run-off and freshwater run-off? (3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(3) What is the minister’s assessment of the Yarra Yarra catchment group’s pilot project at Perenjori and its potential to safely manage excess ground water from farms? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
I thank the member for his question and for some notice of it. Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Salinity is one of the most profound environmental, social and economic problems facing Western Australia, particularly the areas the Leader of the National Party represents. (1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(1) No. I do not know where that view comes from, but my department certainly has not given up on this problem. The report to which the Leader of the National Party referred contains detailed data and shows that some salinity levels are declining. However, the report also contains some very good news. Two catchments at Denmark and Collie, at which scientific research and resources have been targeted and on which a lot of work has been done with the communities, are showing very positive results and what can happen under a more strategic and targeted approach. I am delighted that all the regional national resource management groups have implemented their strategies and investment plans and a huge amount of work is being done in all those catchments with, I hope, better and better results. (2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(2) No. However, the engineering evaluation initiative is examining lakes within the Avon River as part of the Avon regional drainage evaluation. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS : I will get to that in a minute. The groups are collating information on 30 lakes within that catchment. They will examine the potential benefits and the impacts of catchment and regional scale drainage. That work, being done in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is regarded as groundbreaking in Australia. It will provide us all with very useful information. (3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
(3) A new project under the national action plan is providing major support to the Yarra Yarra catchment group. This support includes evaluating the benefits and impacts of the catchment scale drainage proposal in the Yarra Yarra catchment, and assisting in developing a framework for drainage management and governance. The information from the current pilot project at Perenjori will feed into this and be very useful. A project through the engineering evaluation initiative at Morawa will also feed into that framework.
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