Cash vital for future of Wellington Dam

The head of Harvey Water “struggles” to see a viable future for Wellington Dam if a multi-million dollar project to reduce salinity does not gain Federal Government support immediately.

Harvey Water general manager Bradd Hamersley says it is do or die for investment into the water source as local irrigators put “everything on the line” – including $30 million of their own money.

Mr Hamersley told the Bunbury Herald jobs would go and water from Wellington Dam would be unusable if the $380 million Myalup Wellington Project was not financially supported.

“We’ve got this very, very narrow set of circumstances which means the investment window for the project is absolutely right now and if it doesn’t get dealt with, it’s pretty hard to see how we’re going to make it line up again,” Mr Hamersley said.

If the project is not funded, Wellington Dam – the second biggest water storage in the State – has “little use” for agriculture and the Water Corporation would be forced to find an alternate source of water for Great Southern towns.

The dam is at 1200 parts salinity at the moment and forecast to reach 1500 parts by 2035 – a level Mr Hamersley will not be able use through his irrigation licence.

It comes as the Nationals last week called on the Federal Government to support the project and hit out at the State Government for not pushing it.

Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan claimed the Nationals had “caught wind” that a funding announcement through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund was imminent and the party was trying to take credit.

The Herald can reveal a Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities spokesman confirmed the assessment was being finalised and an outcome was due to be considered by the Federal Government.

The round of funding was due to be announced this month.

WAFarmers president Tony York said the dam was vital to local agriculture industries.

“The Myalup-Wellington Dam is an essential source of water for local farmers, who use the dam for purposes including pasture irrigation and livestock water sources,” Mr York said.

“Access to safe and usable water in the South West region is vital to ensure local businesses flourish.”