First stage of $29m water irrigation plan for WA complete

Stage one of a joint $29 million project to save irrigation water and boost the public water supply system in Western Australia was opened today.

It forms the first part of a joint initiative between the state government and Harvey Water, to provide major water use efficiencies to Harvey's 356 irrigation farmers, and also increase public water supply by 17 gigalitres a year.

To date, work has been done on the project to replace open irrigation channels with a pipe network.

In opening the first phase of the project, Water Resources Minister John Kobelke said that replacing channels with pipes would reduce evaporation and seepage from 30 per cent to about two per cent.

"Not only will this three-stage project provide an extra 17 gigalitres a year to the public water supply; I am sure it complies with the conditions of the National Water Initiative, allowing the state government to seek federal government money to offset the cost," he said.

"Stage one cost $24million and has been completed on time and on budget. Stages two and three are planned to be completed by mid-2008."

Water from the Harvey project will be progressively available to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme from the end of 2007.

THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE APPEARS BELOW.

MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES

MEDIA STATEMENT

Attention: News Editor/Chief of Staff

Stage one of $29million water irrigation plan complete.

Stage one of a joint project to save irrigation water and boost the public water supply system was opened today by Water Resources Minister John Kobelke.

This is the first part of a joint initiative between the State Government and Harvey Water, to give major water use efficiencies to Harvey's 356 irrigation farmers and increase public water supply by 17 gigalitres a year.

The State Government has already committed $29million to the project, which has seen the replacement of open irrigation channels with a pipe network.

Mr Kobelke said replacing channels with pipes would reduce evaporation and seepage from 30 per cent to about two per cent, conserving our most precious resource.

"Not only will this three-stage project provide an extra 17 gigalitres a year to the public water supply; I am sure it complies with the conditions of the National Water Initiative, allowing the State Government to seek Federal Government money to offset the cost," he said.

"This is another excellent, practical example of the Government's 'security through diversity' approach to protect our water future. It will provide enough water to meet the needs of 100,000 additional households every year."

Water from the Harvey project will be progressively available to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme from the end of 2007.

A similar network in Harvey and neighbouring Waroona has added 10 gigalitres to the public water system. The success of these two projects could lead to water trading being expanded to the Collie district.

Mr Kobelke commended Harvey water irrigators for helping contribute much-needed water to the public supply and for gaining efficiency by changing to pipes.

"This is a win-win for farmers - who can now more efficiently use the water - and for the public, who gain greater water security," he said.

"What we have effectively done is save water we already had.

"Stage one cost $24million and has been completed on time and on budget. Stages two and three are planned to be completed by mid-2008."

Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9222 9211 or 0408 957 785
Statements available on the Government's regional website: http://www.regional.mediastatements.wa.gov.au and you can also subscribe to have media releases emailed automatically from the Government's website: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au