❓ Mr. Cowper asks about the government's plan to increase water usage from Wellington Dam, given its 184 gigalitre capacity. The Minister responds, outlining the 'Water for Food' project and efforts to address salinity issues and unlock economic potential in the South West.
AnsweredQoN 677Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WELLINGTON DAM — WATER QUALITY
677. Mr M.J. COWPER to the Minister for
Water:
The minister well knows that there
are —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : The previous
question is finished; it is finished.
Mr M.J. COWPER :
The minister will be aware that there are 184 gigalitres of water in the
Wellington Dam. Recently, there was a request for a proposal to increase the
use of the water in that dam. Can the minister tell us what the government's
plan is in requesting these proposals?
677. Mr M.J. COWPER to the Minister for
Water:
The minister well knows that there
are —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : The previous
question is finished; it is finished.
Mr M.J. COWPER :
The minister will be aware that there are 184 gigalitres of water in the
Wellington Dam. Recently, there was a request for a proposal to increase the
use of the water in that dam. Can the minister tell us what the government's
plan is in requesting these proposals?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question and for his ongoing and
very vocal interest in water issues in his area. As members will know, and as
the member to my right here has just pointed out, Wellington Dam is a very
large resource for this state, particularly in the south west, but it has
limited use and availability of potable water and water for industry.
Mr
M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I call
you to order for the first time.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : It has limited use due to its very high salinity. There has
been a long history, as members to my right have pointed out, of trying to
decrease the amount of salt that is going into the system so that we can use
more of that water to unlock the economic potential of the south west. It is
impacting on the productivity of the Collie River irrigation district. There
are potentially options for the Myalup irrigated agricultural precinct, if we
can improve that water quality. Previous solutions have focussed on trying to
reduce the salinity within the dam—the catchment treatments above the
dam wall.
Mr
M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Collie–Preston!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Under our Water for Food project with the $40 million funding
through royalties for regions, one of the projects is to look at
below-the-dam-wall solutions. We recently sought expressions of interest for
proposals to treat water below the dam wall. We have received great interest
from industry not only from a technology point of view, but also from those in
the agricultural sector. Seventy interstate, local and international
participants who were interested in learning more about the EOI process came
along. There is a real interest in trying to solve this problem that has vexed
both state and federal governments of both persuasions.
The briefing provided quite a lot of
detailed information on the EOI about the kinds of projects we will be looking
to encourage. It does not require proponents to come forward with a full
solution; it can be a part solution. Within the context of that project we have
appointed a steering group so that people are on the ground, from industry,
agriculture, local government and the Departments of Water and Agriculture and
Food, who are very close to the systems. We also have a technical advisory
group so that the appropriate technical expertise is involved. It is one of 11
projects.
Mr M.P. Murray :
Are you talking to the federal government?
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Yes, we talk to the federal government on a regular basis
about all 11 projects running across the state. Water for Food is the biggest
investment we have seen in trying to increase irrigated agriculture in Western
Australia.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston!
Ms M.J. DAVIES : We
are spending that as part of the $300 million we are investing in agriculture
in this state. It is a really exciting time. We are hitting some fantastic
milestones in other projects. This one in particular has the opportunity to
diversify the state's south west economy and a lot of people are
looking to the outcome of this very positive project. I am very happy to keep
the house updated.
very vocal interest in water issues in his area. As members will know, and as
the member to my right here has just pointed out, Wellington Dam is a very
large resource for this state, particularly in the south west, but it has
limited use and availability of potable water and water for industry.
Mr
M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I call
you to order for the first time.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : It has limited use due to its very high salinity. There has
been a long history, as members to my right have pointed out, of trying to
decrease the amount of salt that is going into the system so that we can use
more of that water to unlock the economic potential of the south west. It is
impacting on the productivity of the Collie River irrigation district. There
are potentially options for the Myalup irrigated agricultural precinct, if we
can improve that water quality. Previous solutions have focussed on trying to
reduce the salinity within the dam—the catchment treatments above the
dam wall.
Mr
M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Collie–Preston!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Under our Water for Food project with the $40 million funding
through royalties for regions, one of the projects is to look at
below-the-dam-wall solutions. We recently sought expressions of interest for
proposals to treat water below the dam wall. We have received great interest
from industry not only from a technology point of view, but also from those in
the agricultural sector. Seventy interstate, local and international
participants who were interested in learning more about the EOI process came
along. There is a real interest in trying to solve this problem that has vexed
both state and federal governments of both persuasions.
The briefing provided quite a lot of
detailed information on the EOI about the kinds of projects we will be looking
to encourage. It does not require proponents to come forward with a full
solution; it can be a part solution. Within the context of that project we have
appointed a steering group so that people are on the ground, from industry,
agriculture, local government and the Departments of Water and Agriculture and
Food, who are very close to the systems. We also have a technical advisory
group so that the appropriate technical expertise is involved. It is one of 11
projects.
Mr M.P. Murray :
Are you talking to the federal government?
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Yes, we talk to the federal government on a regular basis
about all 11 projects running across the state. Water for Food is the biggest
investment we have seen in trying to increase irrigated agriculture in Western
Australia.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston!
Ms M.J. DAVIES : We
are spending that as part of the $300 million we are investing in agriculture
in this state. It is a really exciting time. We are hitting some fantastic
milestones in other projects. This one in particular has the opportunity to
diversify the state's south west economy and a lot of people are
looking to the outcome of this very positive project. I am very happy to keep
the house updated.
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