The Nationals WA and Myalup-Wellington Community Reference Group have lobbied the State Government to create a Collie-based position to implement the Water for Food Wellington Dam project.
Member for the South West Region and Chair of the Myalup-Wellington Community Reference Group Colin Holt said the project would help diversify the regional economy through irrigated agriculture.
“A locally based Department of Water project manager will ensure the Collie community can maximise the opportunities presented by the project and remove any barriers to implementation as they emerge,” he said.
The $380 million industry led Wellington Dam project recently secured an additional $37 million Royalties for Regions funding for irrigation infrastructure to freshen water in the dam.
Under the proposal, saline water flowing into Wellington Dam would be diverted from the Collie River East Branch to a mine void, with that water then treated in a new desalination plant located near Collie.
A new, smaller Burekup Weir will be built upstream to enable water delivery to be powered by gravity.
Existing open irrigation channels created in the 1960s for inefficient flood irrigation systems will be replaced with a pressurised closed pipe network, saving an estimated 15 GL of water per year, allowing expansion of the area presently under irrigation.
Currently, 6,557 hectares of the available 34,600 hectares of the Collie River, Harvey and Waroona districts are irrigated.
Mr Holt said lowering salinity in Wellington Dam would also provide an opportunity to access fresh water for localised irrigation nodes near the Collie community.
“This project is a huge step forward in the economic diversification of the Collie area and increasing sustainable water supply options will enable growth in the Collie River Irrigation District and the Myalup Irrigated Agriculture Precinct,” he said.
“This project has immense potential and having a local project manager will help local businesses unlock the potential for intensified aquaculture, agriculture and horticulture opportunities in the Collie area”.
Nationals candidate for Collie-Preston Monique Warnock said there was great potential for new irrigation initiatives utilising closed loop agriculture systems, greenhouse or hydroponic production, but stressed the importance of on-ground support at a local level
“This will ensure that opportunities are not missed and entrepreneurial local businesses are supported through the planning and implementation phase of the project,” she said.
