Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:40:04 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx Researchers looking into dolphin deaths in Bunbury inner waters http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132803 Content:

Environment Minister Donna Faragher and Water Minister Graham Jacobs today met Murdoch University researchers and departmental officials regarding the release of an initial research report into the deaths of eight dolphins in the Bunbury inner waters during the past two years.

 

Murdoch researchers Dr Lars Bejder and Dr Hugh Finn have begun re-investigating the deaths of the dolphins, either found or presumed dead. The Ministers were advised the report found no trend in the timing or cause of the deaths and gathered tissue samples had been sent for further analysis.

 

Mrs Faragher said this information was important given advice she had received of some similarities with the six dolphin deaths in the Swan River this year.  

 

“Being presented with information directly from the researchers responsible for the study programs has been invaluable in looking at the overall health of dolphins that live in inlets and in waterways that abut metropolitan areas,” Mrs Faragher said.

 

“While the exact cause of the deaths in the Swan Canning Riverpark and the Bunbury inner waters are still not clear, we know through this research that a number of factors need to be investigated and we need to analyse the data from similar research programs conducted throughout Australia and internationally.”

 

Dr Jacobs said the research had the capacity to identify a potential problem affecting the State’s dolphin population.

 

“The research clearly states that we need to better understand the health of our estuarine and coastal marine animals,” Dr Jacobs said.

 

“This understanding has not previously been available and I look forward to working with the Environment Minister and researchers to ensure we have it in future.”   

 

The report can be obtained through Murdoch University’s website at http://www.murdoch.edu.au or by contacting Tanyia Maxted on 9360 2491.   

 

Environment Minister's office - 9213 7250 

Water Minister's office - 9213 6900
Date: 19/11/2009
Minister: Faragher;Jacobs
Portfolio: Environment;Water
Region: South West
]]> Arbouin, Shane Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:31:29 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132803 Whales and sea life to be researched and monitored off Binningup http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132771 Content:

Comprehensive marine research and monitoring in the sea off Binningup could provide a blueprint for similar studies at the State Government’s proposed major gas precinct near James Point in the Kimberley.

 

Water Minister Graham Jacobs said the research, undertaken by Murdoch and Curtin universities and Western Whale Research (WWR), would increase knowledge of the marine environment off the Binningup and Myalup coast and gauge effects of the Southern Seawater Desalination Project.

 

“Today’s announcement of new comprehensive marine research in the Binningyup area will provide a vast amount of knowledge about sea life and will be supported by existing research already undertaken by Murdoch University during the past three years, in concert with Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre,” Dr Jacobs said.

 

“This gives the project access to additional dolphin population data to the south of the current project’s 30km research area between Binningup and Preston Beach.”

 

The project also draws on more than 10 years of data obtained by WWR and Curtin University’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST) on the presence and movement of whales in south-western Australia.

 

Murdoch University’s Cetacean Research Unit has started to obtain data on habitat use and the abundance of dolphins and the seasonal presence or absence of whales, penguins, seals, sea lions and turtles.

 

CMST has deployed a sea noise logger near the site of the proposed ocean outfall diffusers which will collect 200-second samples of sea noise every 15 minutes across two years.

 

WWR will co-ordinate an onshore community marine monitoring and training program using interested community members, trained to undertake long-term, land-based surveying.

 

“The combination of Murdoch and Curtin universities scientific activity, with community involvement through WWR, will establish clear baseline information to allow for future comparisons, which makes this project so worthwhile and why the Government views it as a forerunner for studies near James Point,” the Minister said.

 

Dr Jacobs said he was pleased the Water Corporation had initiated the research and monitoring program outside of the desalination project’s required environmental approvals process. He was confident the results would benefit the Kimberley.

 

“The scientific research will allow for a future comparison of data from before and after the implementation of the Southern Seawater Desalination Project and any impacts the project might have on a variety of sea creatures,” he said.

 

“Similar preliminary studies and information gathering will be needed as the Kimberley gas precinct progresses.”

 

Minister's office - 9213 6900
Date: 12/11/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:41:19 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132771 Water allocation plan continues Gnangara management plan http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132763 Content:

Progress in ensuring the health and sustainability of the Gnangara groundwater system will continue with today’s release of a new allocation plan by Water Minister Graham Jacobs.

 

In announcing the finalisation and public release of the ‘Gnangara groundwater areas water allocation plan’, Dr Jacobs said successful management programs led by the Department of Water had seen the groundwater system’s health recover and stabilise in the past four years.

 

“The Gnangara system has been, and remains, Perth’s biggest single source of good quality, fresh groundwater and, because of that, the pressure on it as a resource has been massive,” he said.

 

“System levels are the best they have been in four years, which demonstrates the vital water source has stabilised and is recovering.

 

“Given there has been variable rainfall over that period of time, this shows management decisions embodied in this plan are not only sound but having an impact.”

 

The Minister said consistent efforts to reduce consumption had contributed significantly to the very important stabilisation and recovery of the groundwater system’s health.

 

Dr Jacobs said the ‘Gnangara groundwater areas water allocation plan’ reflected the imperative to tightly manage the system as current high demand for water and reduced rainfall placed it under pressure.

 

“The Gnangara groundwater system is now almost fully allocated across all areas, meaning there are limited opportunities for new groundwater licences,” he said.

 

“The plan reflects the directions of the draft Gnangara Sustainability Strategy and has three main aims:  to take less water from the system overall; encourage individuals to use water more efficiently; and maintain a secure supply for current and future development, while protecting the environment.

 

“It sets the balance between taking groundwater for short term use, and retaining it to maintain the ecology, meet social and cultural needs, and provide for future public and private use.  It sets out the available water, policy for management and licensing rules for all groundwater users.

 

“Timely allocation decisions made through this plan mean that we have been able to prevent more serious impacts on the water resources.”

 

The Minister said the aquifers of the Gnangara system - the Gnangara Mound, Mirrabooka, Leederville and Yarragadee - supported horticulture and turf industries, plantations, parks and gardens and, importantly, public water supply.  About 40 per cent of the groundwater pumped from the system was for the Integrated Water Supply Scheme which currently represented more than half of its total supply.

 

“All of these uses are important and security of water supply for existing users is assured for the life of the plan,” Dr Jacobs said.

 

“There will be no large reductions in water entitlements but all current and future water users will be expected to conserve water, use water more efficiently, and effectively manage the impacts of their water use.”

 

The Department of Water’s director general Kim Taylor said the department had reduced the amount of water available for abstraction by just greater than 10 per cent.  For example, the Water Corporation’s draw from the Gnangara system would be cut from 137 GL to about 110 GL this year.

 

“Limiting the total draw of groundwater will help to protect natural systems across the whole area and impact zones will restrict bores from operating close to important wetlands,” Mr Taylor said.

 

“Drawing the bulk of the scheme water from the deeper aquifers will help to protect wetlands dependent on the shallow groundwater.  Many of these are stressed as aquifer levels have declined over the past 30 years of low rainfall.”

 

Mr Taylor said the plan was informed by groundwater and climate information, current and future demand and stakeholder consultation.  It mapped out a management approach for the Gnangara aquifers until 2012 when an update was planned and the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant commissioning was scheduled.

 

The plan and the department’s statement of response to public comments on the plan are available on http://www.water.wa.gov.au or call 6364 7600.

 

Minister's office - 9213 6900
Date: 11/11/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Arbouin, Shane Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:20:23 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132763 Work to begin in two months on Spearwood sewerage project http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132760 Content:

The State Government will call tenders from Tuesday, November 17, 2009 to begin works on infill sewerage at Spearwood.

 

Water Minister Graham Jacobs said the call for tender was possible after the Water Corporation rescheduled funding from its existing budget.

 

The Minister said actual works would commence within two months.

 

“From the moment I visited Spearwood residents in June, I have urgently been seeking a strategy to fund the project,” he said.

 

“Many Spearwood residents have been waiting almost 40 years for sewerage to be connected to their properties and I have been acutely aware of the particular public health concerns as the ageing septic tank systems have broken down.

 

“The Department of Health prepared a confidential report for the previous Labor Health Minister in 2006, which detailed serious concerns from both a health and environmental perspective in Spearwood. However, no work had commenced on this project.

“My colleague, Deputy Premier and Health Minister Kim Hames, wrote to me last week confirming the reported concerns and indicated that these health issues have now worsened.

 

“As soon as I was made aware of these concerns, it made it even more imperative for action to be taken and, as a result, all Spearwood residents will have sewerage infill by June 2011, even in these tough economic times.”

 

This decision to build sewerage infill in Spearwood is based on concerns raised by the Health Minister. Any decisions on future infill sewerage projects will be taken in context of the 2010-11 State Budget process.

 

Minister's office - 9213 6900
 
Date: 10/11/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: South Western Suburbs
]]> Arbouin, Shane Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:26:16 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132760 Water Minister rules out dams on the Denmark and Styx rivers http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132724 Content:

Water Minister Graham Jacobs said today that the damming of the Denmark and Styx rivers would not be explored any further as part of the Water Corporation’s drinking water source plans for the lower Great Southern region.

 

Dr Jacobs said Bow River would remain under consideration, along with seawater desalination and a groundwater replenishment scheme based on Marbellup Brook.

 

Bow River would remain because it was the most preferred of the dam options on wide-ranging parameters and should be explored as part of the ongoing process.

 

“Because we don’t know the very long term population for the region, what the climate will be like and many other factors, it would be irresponsible to rule out all of these options forever,” the Minister said.

 

“As far as the Styx and Denmark rivers are concerned, they will not be part of the ongoing evaluation process and the Bow River is ranked behind the desalination and groundwater options.”

 

Dr Jacobs said he had been thoroughly briefed by the Water Corporation in the past few days on all aspects of the long term regional supply options and that the Styx and Denmark rivers were to be placed further down the rankings on social, environmental and economic parameters.

 

“I indicated I did not want people in Denmark to be placed in a period of long term uncertainty and today I am acting on this to rule out the options for dams on the Styx and Denmark rivers,” he said.

 

The Minister said the Water Corporation intended presenting information on the remaining three options at a further community meeting in Denmark later this month.

 

“This decision is a recognition of the local public response to the corporation’s structured community consultation process.  The Government has decided now is the time to rule out the Styx and Denmark rivers,” he said. 

 

Dr Jacobs said local member and Agriculture Minister Terry Redman had been fully briefed on the Water Corporation’s views on the rankings for the various options and thanked him for the valuable input into the debate on the future water supply for the Denmark area.

 

Minister's office - 9213 6900
 
Date: 3/11/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: Great Southern
]]> Arbouin, Shane Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:50:19 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132724 Wastewater project protects environment, boosts Bunbury regional economy http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132666 Content:

Water Minister Graham Jacobs today announced works to double the capacity of the Water Corporation’s Bunbury Wastewater Treatment Plant would be completed next month. 

 

Dr Jacobs, who took the opportunity to visit the treatment plant while in Bunbury for a regional meeting of State Cabinet and Parliament said the new additions would not only cater for growth in the city until 2030, but further protect the environment and reduce odour from the plant.

 

He was also pleased that the works over the past 18 months had injected more than $5million into the local economy through local labour, material supply and sub contracts.

 

“It is great that this essential project has benefitted Bunbury in so many ways. In addition to the obvious health, environmental and catering-for-growth benefits, nearly one-third of the total expenditure on this project was injected directly into the local economy,” the Minister said.

 

“This is a splendid example of the local community benefitting tangibly from an essential water infrastructure project and there is more to follow for the South-West as the Water Corporation builds our next seawater desalination plant outside Binningup over the next couple of years.” 

 

Dr Jacobs said the upgrade included works to improve nutrient removal, meaning nutrient discharged from the plant would remain within the current target limit, despite increased flow to the plant. The overall project involved construction of an additional wastewater treatment module, while an improved sludge treatment and storage system was currently being finalised.   

 

“The improvements will ensure the first-class treatment and disposal of wastewater for Bunbury and provide greater protection for health and the environment,” he said.

 

The Minister praised the Water Corporation, local school students, environmental groups and developer Satterlys for their involvement in rehabilitating a small area of land, cleared to facilitate the works.

 

Minister's office - 9213 6900
Date: 22/10/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: South West
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:42:06 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132666 $1.25million to improve Vasse Wonnerup waterways http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132667 Content:

The State Government has allocated $1.25million to improve the environmental health of the Vasse Wonnerup waterways and help protect the environmental values of Geographe Bay.

 

Works recommended by the Vasse Wonnerup Water Quality Improvement Plan will commence immediately.  

 

Activities will include on-ground works to significantly reduce nutrient flow into the waterways flowing into the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands and will help protect the Geographe Bay seagrass meadows from impacts of high nutrient levels.

 

Water Minister Graham Jacobs said the health of the internationally recognised Vasse Wonnerup wetlands was a priority for the Government.

 

“The values of these waterways are significant and iconic and their health is integral to the region’s water resources, lifestyle and livelihood,” Dr Jacobs said.

 

“High nutrient loads flowing into these systems from surrounding land use has been identified as a major threat to their stability.

 

“The implementation of the water quality improvement plan will go some way to rectifying nutrient impacts because if we don’t act now, these systems will continue to suffer algal blooms and associated fish kills.”

 

The Minister said there were key aspects of the plan that would be implemented in the next 12 months.

 

“These included repairing the critical vegetation on the foreshores of the waterways that are integral to their health and reducing the damaging effects of run-off from dairy sheds and feedlots into the ecosystem,” he said.

 

“There will also be considerable effort put into reducing nutrient entry into the waterways in the form of fertilisers and other nitrogen and phosphorus rich chemicals from urban areas.

 

“This includes some important and strategic retrofitting of water sensitive urban design in existing urban areas surrounding the Vasse Wonnerup.”

 

Dr Jacobs said the Department of Water would be the agency responsible for the overall project, however delivery of project components would predominantly be undertaken by the community-based Geographe Catchment Council (Geocatch).

 

“This delivery will be managed by the well established governance and partnership arrangement that exists between the Department of Water and Geocatch with industry groups and local government,” he said.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6900
Date: 22/10/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: South West
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:00:56 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132667 New desal plant reaps rewards for coastal communities $1million package http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132661 Content:

Water Minister Graham Jacobs today announced the Water Corporation was finalising documentation to initiate the $1million Southern Seawater Desalination Plant Local Benefit package.

 

Dr Jacobs said funding the package would benefit coastal communities in and around the coastal town sites of Binningup and Myalup.

 

The package was the result of extensive community consultation through development of a community reference group and the subsequent Social Impact Management Plan.

 

“The Southern Seawater Desalination Plant Local Benefit package is a wonderful example of local government, the community and the Water Corporation working together for the local community and the State,” the Minister said.

 

The Shire of Harvey will administer the package as a long-term reserve fund to deliver benefits not only Binningup and Myalup, but to the wider community.

 

The shire and the corporation have also come to a mutual agreement, enabling the shire to meet its operational requirements at the Richardson Road Refuge/Landfill facility and the corporation to see a saving through discounted tipping fees.

 

This saving will be added to the local benefit package by the shire which will see approximately $750,000 on top of the agreed $1million and the community will also reap the benefits of accrued interest.

 

These funds will increase the shire’s ability to leverage additional funding for other programs.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6900
Date: 21/10/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: South West
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:09:19 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132661 Improved water supplies take pressure off Gnangara groundwater draw http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132609 Content:

Reliance on the Gnangara groundwater system for Perth’s public water supply will be significantly reduced ahead of schedule this year due to a combination of good rains and sound management decisions, Water Minister Graham Jacobs said today.

 

Dr Jacobs said the draw on the mound for the 2009-10 year would be cut by 27 gigalitres (GL) from last year’s draw of 137GL.

 

“The ability for Water Corporation to reduce their abstraction from Gnangara was welcome news to the State Government and the community,” he said.

 

“The high dam levels have meant we do not need to fall back on Gnangara as we have had to in some previous years due to low rainfall and reduced catchment inflows.

 

“The new figure of 110GL brings the annual draw towards the recommended volumes to ensure the long term sustainability of the major contributor to Perth’s high quality scheme water.

 

“There is no question that the Gnangara system in particular is under stress because of the drying climate and it has always been the intention of the Department of Water and the Water Corporation to reduce drinking water abstraction by a significant amount when possible.

 

“This year our dams, while still only about 54 per cent full overall, are at their highest level for 10 years which leaves us in a position where we need to draw a lot less water from Gnangara.

 

“The savings made to scheme water use by this year’s trial winter sprinkler ban have also had a considerable effect on the amount of water available.”

 

The Gnangara system sits below Perth’s northern suburbs and its water is abstracted to the Integrated Water Supply System (IWSS) to feed high quality drinking water to greater Perth and the Goldfields.

 

The annual draw on Gnangara historically provides 60 per cent of this water with the State’s first desalination plant reducing that to 50 per cent in recent years.

 

Average abstraction in recent years has ranged from more than 158GL to a low of approximately 130GL, with an additional average of 10GL per annum coming from the Jandakot mound area in the south.

 

The Minister sounded a note of caution about the reductions.

 

“While it is extremely positive that drinking water abstraction will be well down in the 2009-10 year, the position could easily change if the 2010 winter is very dry or consumption levels unexpectedly increase,” he said.

 

“Several factors have combined for us to reach the position our dams are in right now.

 

“These include improved efficiency in lowering consumption − in particular the impact of the trial winter sprinkler ban - and the good rains that have been harnessed by the improvements to the dam catchment areas.

 

“The community deserves credit for supporting the winter sprinkler ban and keeping water consumption to a minimum even after the ban was lifted at the end of August.”

 

“Sustainable abstraction from the Gnangara system remains a high priority as it is essential to greater Perth’s water needs.”

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6900
Date: 13/10/2009
Minister: Jacobs
Portfolio: Water
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:37:47 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132609 State Government contributes $7.4million to Gascoyne water pipe upgrade http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132579 Content:

The long-awaited expansion of the Carnarvon horticulture area will begin in earnest with an announcement today from the State Government that $7.4million from Royalties for Regions has been committed to an upgrade of the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline.

 

The funds form part of a $19.9million capital works program to improve the pipeline which distributes water to Carnarvon horticulture plantations and has the potential to raise the value of the industries in the area by up to $68million.

 

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman, Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls and Water Minister Graham Jacobs were on hand to provide details of the announcement at a gathering of local growers, businesses and stakeholders in Carnarvon.

 

The replacement and upgrade of the pipeline will provide irrigation across the entire 1,200ha Carnarvon horticulture precinct and be capable of servicing a proposed 400ha expansion.

 

Mr Redman said the expansion of the pipeline had been pursued by the community for many years and would help unlock the potential of the Gascoyne as a key food producing region for Western Australia.

 

“The upgrade will ensure the most efficient delivery of water to existing plantations in Carnarvon, which means more can be grown for less water,” he said.

 

“This pipeline is also vital for any new horticultural developments coming on line in the area.”

 

Mr Redman said growers in the region were well known for their water-use efficiency and innovative practices to deliver high quality produce.

 

“The Carnarvon horticultural area already plays a critical role in WA’s fruit and vegetable production, annually generating on average $81million worth of produce and this can grow significantly with the well planned expansion,” he said.

 

“This commitment to fund the pipeline will allow the Gascoyne Foodbowl Initiative to look at the next steps for development and expansion in the area.”

 

Water Minister Graham Jacobs said water resources were essential to the productivity of the horticultural and pastoral industries.

 

“The availability of good quality water ensures producers can remain competitive in meeting the State’s domestic and export requirements,” Dr Jacobs said.

 

“This project will improve water efficiency and security to the Gascoyne agricultural sector in a region with low rainfall and high evaporation, ensuring this sector continues to be productive without disadvantaging other water user groups or the environment.”

 

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the development of the pipeline and expansion of the foodbowl would bring opportunity for growth, employment and prosperity for the region.

 

“This is a prime example of how the Royalties for Regions funding is providing development and jobs in regional WA,” Mr Grylls said.

 

Once agreements are in place with the Federal Government and Gascoyne Water Asset Mutual Cooperative, funds will be allocated to the cooperative to commission the upgrade.

 

Office of the Minister for Agriculture and Food - 9213 6700

Office of the Minister for Water - 9213 6900

Office of the Minister for Regional Development - 9213 7000

Date: 6/10/2009
Minister: Grylls;Jacobs;Redman
Portfolio: Agriculture and Food;Regional Development;Water
Region: Gascoyne
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:26:54 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132579