More than 70 industry representatives in the Collie region attended a briefing regarding the WA State Government’s plans to increase the availability and use of water from Wellington Dam.
WA Water and Acting Regional Development Minister, Mia Davies, said the high level of interest from local, interstate and international parties showed how engaged industry was in developing a sustainable solution, following a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI).
“I am extremely encouraged by the number of attendees at the briefing and strongly believe Wellington Dam will be able to be used in the future to further develop the Myalup Irrigated Agricultural Precinct and the Collie River Irrigation District,” Ms Davies said.
“This will dramatically increase food production capacity in these agricultural areas and provide a range of employment opportunities and economic growth for the South-West region.”
Hosted by the Department of Water as part of the $40 million Government Royalties for Regions-funded Water for Food program, the briefing provided detailed information on the current EOI for viable projects to provide a solution to increase the availability and use of water from Wellington Dam.
“Wellington Dam is the second largest reservoir in the State and the largest surface water storage in the South-West, but rising salinity has resulted in much of the annual 85 gigalitres of water allocation not being fully used,” the Minister said.
“I am confident that through this EOI process, the Government will be presented with a range of viable and sustainable solutions to this issue.”
Ms Davies said the investment in the Water for Food program demonstrated the Government’s commitment to support producers through encouraging capital investment and lifting productivity in Western Australia’s agricultural sector.
Fact file
- Further details on the EOI process, visit http://www.tenders.wa.gov.au
- EOI closes at 2pm (WST) on October 9, 2015