Government funding of $110,000 to dredge Northam Town Pool

22/5/2000
Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames says the State Government will provide funding for major works to restore Northam Town Pool.
Dr Hames said $110,000 in funding from the Water and Rivers Commission had been allocated to dredge the town pool and install a fountain.
The funding will be added to an earlier grant of $60,000 from the commission and ongoing support from the Northam Town Council to help restore the river pool.
"The Northam Town Pool has suffered from algal blooms, weed problems and increasing sedimentation in recent years,"
Dr Hames said.
"The pool is a focal point for the Northam township and is also the starting point for Australia's biggest white-water event - the Avon Descent.
"There are a number of projects under way upstream of the pool to reduce the sediment flow into the river, but we are still left with years of sediment build-up in the pool.
"Dredging will deepen the pool to improve water quality, preserve the habitat of the white swan colony and improve the amenity of the area for the local community."
The work complements similar dredging of the Burlong Pool, where coarse sand particles are removed from the river system before they reach the Northam Town Pool. The finer sediment particles in the pool attract nutrients, which can trigger algal blooms.
Dr Hames said the last major dredging of the pool occurred in 1956, when the entire pool was drained and dry-excavated by contractors and townspeople working together.
"The Water and Rivers Commission is working to reduce sediment flows into the Avon River through river restoration planning, the fencing off of more than 200km of river foreshore and revegetation to trap some sediment before it reaches the water," he said.
"I understand the Northam Town Council is keen to see the town pool remain a natural river environment, and I'm sure the pool will be restored as a major asset for the town."
Media contacts: Caroline Lacy, 94247450
WRC: Paula Wallace on 9278 0741.