28/6/00
A green golf course, improved environment and reduction in mosquito breeding will be the results of a project to irrigate
Derby’s golf course with treated wastewater.
Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames said today most of the $1.5 million cost of the project had been provided in the Water Corporation’s capital works program for 2000-2001.
“It is part of a total works budget for the year of $12 million which is being spent in the region to improve water and wastewater services,” Dr Hames said.
He said the project would include the construction of an evaporation and storage basin at the Derby wastewater treatment plant that would provide up to three days spare capacity for irrigation pumping.
A new disinfection unit will also be built at the treatment plant and a 250mm-diameter pipeline constructed to transport treated wastewater 1.8km to the golf course to a 250-kilolitre storage tank.
Dr Hames said design work would begin in early July and tenders for the work would be called around the end of August. The project would be finished by the end of this year.
Dr Hames said another extremely important associated project was upgrading the wetland that currently absorbs the town’s treated wastewater.
“The wetland, which is viewed as a major breeding area for mosquitos, has been redesigned to reduce mosquito numbers,” he said.
“The wetland itself has already been reduced from 15ha to 5.3ha through the construction of levee banks.
“It is now planned to make it even more manageable by reducing it to 1.5ha.
“Some sections will be deepened, grass growth will be minimised and stagnant water eliminated to greatly reduce mosquito breeding.
“Fish might also be introduced to eat mosquito larvae.”
Dr Hames said the work would begin next April, ensuring that the wetland’s environmental value and birdlife was maintained.
When the golf course irrigation begins, the daily flow of treated wastewater to the wetland will, for much of the year, be reduced from about 1,000 to 150 cubic metres.
“This project was initially proposed in a Derby wastewater management review conducted by the Water Corporation,” Dr Hames said.
“The proposal was then the subject of extensive consultation between the local community, the Shire of Derby, the Kimberley Land Council and Government agencies.
“The project has now reached the point where it is about to become a reality.”
Dr Hames said a funding contribution of $250,000 was being sought under the Commonwealth Coast and Clean Seas program.
Media contacts:
Caroline Lacy 94247450
Water Corporation: Phil Kneebone 9420 2420
