Work to start soon on $20M Wanneroo-Mt Yokine Reservoir pipeline

27/2/96

The biggest water pipeline established in Perth in the past 15 years is to be built now - two years earlier than planned - as a major part of a plan to ensure all parts of the metropolitan area have secure water supplies.

Water Resources Minister Roger Nicholls said that following a revision of Perth's drought relief strategy, work would begin in two weeks on a $20 million, 18-kilometre pipeline to enable the transfer of water from the Water Corporation's Wanneroo Reservoir to its Mount Yokine Reservoir.

Mr Nicholls said it had originally been planned that the pipeline would operate from the summer of 1998-99 to coincide with the staged development of a new waste water treatment plant at Neerabup, west of Wanneroo.

Continuing low run-off of rain water into the dams that supply Perth, and the rapidly escalating demand for water, had resulted in a decision to push forward the schedule by two years.

The Minister spoke at an official launch near the starting point of the eight-month construction project, along the median strip on Mirrabooka Avenue, near the Mount Yokine Reservoir.

"The principal new sources of water in the next few years will be ground water schemes in the Wanneroo area," he said.

"A crucial factor associated with the distribution of these water supplies is that we have a pipeline network capable of transferring the water to where it is most needed.

"The new pipeline will achieve that objective. Additionally, the corporation is establishing a major artesian bore in Melville and upgrading facilities to increase the yield from the South Dandalup Dam."

Mr Nicholls said in the past 20 years the run-off of rain water into Perth's dams had decreased by about 30 per cent.

It had long been recognised that Perth's dams alone could not cope with growing demand for water and ground water would continue to play an essential and increasing role in the supply of water through the Perth metropolitan area.

"We simply cannot wait for a drought to get water to where it is most needed," Mr Nicholls said.

"The reality is, we have to do something now which is why we are taking these measures to secure Perth's water future."

The Minister said that Perth residents and businesses had responded extremely well to another part of the drought relief strategy - the water efficiency program. Despite the record February heat wave, the amount of water budgeted for the month looked like being met.

"That is a marvellous achievement, particularly considering the on-going heat wave and follows the budget being well and truly met through the previous three months," he said.

"There is no doubt Perth people have been doing the right thing in using water sensibly.

"I am sure this will continue. A combination of bringing these new projects on stream and the continuing emphasis on water efficiency programs should help us avoid stronger water restrictions in the future."

The Mount Yokine Reservoir is a critical part of Perth's water system. It services tens of thousands of residents and businesses over a vast area of the northern suburbs. The area is bordered by the Swan River to the south, Reid Highway to the north, West Swan Road to the east and the Perth coastline to the west.

The reservoir and others it services are coming under increased demand. Even before the establishment of the planned new ground water schemes, there are significant quantities of ground water, well in excess of current demand, available from the existing Wanneroo schemes.

Mr Nicholls described the pipe-laying operation as a major engineering undertaking and said there would be some inconvenience as the project followed major roads and some undeveloped land between the two reservoirs.

"This is the biggest pipe-laying project the Water Corporation has undertaken in the past 15 years," he said.

"The pipeline itself is 1.4 metres in diameter and there will be major excavation of median strips and road verges. Everything possible will be done to minimise inconvenience to residents, businesses and motorists."

The Minister said great care would be taken to restore affected areas as near as possible to their former condition. Work near schools along the pipeline route would be carried out during school holidays to ensure there would be no disruption to school activities.

All residents, businesses and landholders would be kept fully informed on the requirements and progress of the project.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 221 5468