Official opening of North Dandalup dam

28/10/94

Premier Richard Court today officially opened the Water Authority's North Dandalup dam and used the occasion to reinforce the State Government's call for people to use water wisely.

Mr Court said the new dam - built at a cost of $50 million - would supply 22,000 megalitres of water a year to the Perth supply.

This was about 10 per cent of Perth's consumption or roughly the amount of water the city could save in a year if everybody could be persuaded to use low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets.

"This new dam is evidence of the need to plan ahead for Perth's water requirements and water will be supplied from North Dandalup starting in autumn next year," Mr Court said.

"However, new dams are not the only way to address our future requirements.  If everybody does the right thing and uses water more efficiently, everybody benefits," Mr Court said.

"By more efficient use of our valuable water resources, we are able to reduce the need for building costly infrastructure such as dams - while reduced consumption means smaller bills for consumers."

North Dandalup Dam replaces a pipehead dam which operated on the site since 1971.  North Dandalup consists of the main dam, two saddle dams and associated works and facilities.

The dam currently is storing about 20 per cent capacity.

The Premier said North Dandalup was part of the Water Authority's short-term program to ensure availability of good quality water supplies, at minimum financial cost and with acceptable environmental impacts.

It would probably be the last major dam built close to Perth for many years.

The Water Authority, in consultation with the community, was developing a new strategy to provide water for Perth, Mandurah and the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply system, beyond the water supply contribution of North Dandalup.

The preferred supply strategy, based largely on the groundwater sources to the north of Perth, would be submitted to the EPA for approval later this year so that more detailed investigations for water supply development into the next century could begin.

Mr Court said North Dandalup was an important infrastructure project on several fronts.  It would help support Western Australia's economic development, lifestyle and environment.

It was also destined to become an important regional tourist attraction and picnic and recreation venue.

Public recreation facilities have been developed below the dam, utilising the old pipehead dam and pool as a focal point.