Desalination Expansion Won’t Save Gnangara Mound This Summer

8 October 2012

Questions by the Greens Water Spokesperson Alison Xamon MLC have revealed that while construction of Stage Two of the Binningup Desalination Plant is on schedule according to building contracts, the plant won’t deliver the expected extra 50 billion litres of water until May 2013.

“Unfortunately this means that this summer we’re undoubtedly going to see the Water Corporation asking for more than the sustainable limit for water from Gnangara Mound,” Ms Xamon said.

“This is disappointing given the Minister’s repeated assurances about easing pressure on the Gnangara Mound, including, to quote his statement to Parliament on 30 May this year: ‘we have brought on stage 2 of the Binningup or the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, which will bring on another 50 gigalitres in December this year’.

“In reality, Stage Two at Binningup will be producing less than a gigalitre of water when it opens in December, and production will only reach 50 gigalitres by about May 2013.

“The Water Corporation in Estimates hearings has suggested to me that therefore, despite the spring rainfall we’re receiving, it will need to take in the region of 140 gigalitres from Gnangara-Jandakot system this summer, which is well over the sustainable limit of 120 gigalitres recommended in the Department of Water’s Gnangara Groundwater Areas Allocation Plan.

“I am concerned that for the third summer in a row, we’re going to see unsustainable amounts taken from the Gnangara Mound, not just by Water Corporation but by the many other large bore owners on the Mound whose abstraction remains unmetered and unmonitored.

“There are a raft of compliance, water efficiency and water re-use measures that this Government could be doing to protect the Mound, but we’re not seeing these being done.”

Hon Alison Xamon MLC

Member for the East Metropolitan Region

Office: 62 Eighth Ave Maylands WA 6051

Postal Address: PO Box 104 Maylands WA 6931

Phone: (08) 9272 1718

Fax: (08) 9272 1719

Portfolios: Water, Urban Bushland, Mental Health, Education, Training, Industrial Relations, Employment, Occupational Health & Safety, Disabilities, Women, Children & Youth, Public Service, Community Services,Electoral Affairs, Consumer Protection, Vet Affairs, Volunteering