Working party to study ways to reduce sewage spill into Perth waterways

22/2/97

Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames today announced a high-level working party to investigate ways of reducing sewage spills into Perth's waterways.

Dr Hames said six sewage spills in two years was unacceptable.

The working party would report to him at the end of next month on further short and long-term ways to ensure sewage spills were minimised.

The party included:

·         Harry Ventriss, director of the regional services division, Water and Rivers Commission;

·         Robert Atkins, manager of the Swan River Trust;

·         Menno Henneveld representing the Water Corporation; and -

·         Andrew Baker, director, pollution prevention division in the Department of Environmental Protection.

Dr Hames said the Government was committed to saving the river system.

"The health of Perth's waterways was one of the reasons it was decided the Water and Rivers Commission should come into Water Resources," he said.

"The move ensures work on the river system is closely co-ordinated and moves as fast as possible as we do not have time to waste.

"The Riverwise program is a good example of this."

Water Resources now includes the Water and Rivers Commission, the Swan River Trust, the Water Corporation and the Office of Water Regulation.

Dr Hames said since becoming Minister, he had undertaken a tour of the Swan River with the Water and Rivers Commission and decided that the working party should be a priority.

"I wanted a group with horsepower who would work together to get the job done," he said.

"I am satisfied I have that group and I look forward to their report."

Dr Hames said that while the sewage issue was currently in the spotlight, a raft of other issues was being addressed under the Swan-Canning Clean-up Program which began in 1994 and is managed by the Swan River Trust.

"Working with the Waters and Rivers Commission and other State and local government agencies, the trust is looking to provide a comprehensive recovery program," he said.

"There is a 100 year's damage to address which means no cheap, quick fix for our rivers.

"The clean-up program is wide-ranging and it is imperative the community become involved, because without their help we will only scratch the surface of the problem."

Dr Hames said other issues included changing farming practices, cleaning up drains, better and more water-sensitive urban management and stormwater management and the use of fertilisers.

Work already under way includes:

·         drain monitoring over the past six years which has helped identify pollution sources in catchments;

·         river monitoring by the CSIRO and the Estuarine Research Foundation to help reduce algal blooms in the rivers;

·         investigation of adding modified clay to the river bed to stop sediment nutrients being used by algal blooms; and -

·         developing a complex computer model of the river system to help predict the risk of algal blooms.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy 322 6521