Premier officially opens Harvey Dam

10/11/02

Premier Geoff Gallop officially opened the Harvey Dam today, signalling completion of a $275million water supply scheme which delivers a 10 per cent boost to water supplies in Perth and the South-West.
"The Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme incorporates the biggest water supply pipeline since C Y O'Connor converted his vision of a Goldfields Pipeline to reality," Dr Gallop said.
"The $75million Harvey Dam is another key component of the scheme, providing irrigators in this region with up to 40 gigalitres of water each year.
"This allows water from Stirling Dam to be delivered to places like Pinjarra, Mandurah, Rockingham and Perth."
Work on the 56-gigalitre Harvey Dam began in October, 2000. It was designed by GHD Pty Ltd and built by Leighton Contractors, on behalf of the Water Corporation.
The Harvey Dam has six times the capacity of the original Harvey Weir.

At present, the dam holds 26 gigalitres, or 46 per cent of its total capacity of 56 gigalitres - only slightly less than the storage capacity of Mundaring Weir.
The embankment of Harvey Dam is 45 metres high and has an impervious clay core covered with rock and earth fill.
"As well as delivering a secure water supply for local irrigators, the Dam presents a new tourist drawcard for the South-West," Dr Gallop said.
"The landscaped recreation areas, amphitheatre, walk trails, viewing platforms, and the water-based recreation opportunities both downstream and upstream are sure to prove popular with locals and visitors, and deliver a valuable boost to tourism in the region."
The Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme has also delivered substantial benefits to Aboriginal communities in the South-West through a training and employment program which led to the launch of Australia's first fully accredited Aboriginal-run plant nursery.
Dr Gallop said the potential 34 gigalitre boost to metropolitan water supplies would be delivered through a 106km pipeline constructed between Stirling Dam and the Tamworth Reservoir, in Rockingham.
"The Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme was the final element of the Water Corporation's accelerated water source development program that delivered a 76 per cent boost to water supply capacity for Perth between 1993 and 2002," he said.
"We have invested another $106million since then, to bring on more water sources including new bores and two new dams."
The Premier said that as well as new water sources, the Government was developing a comprehensive water strategy to promote water conservation and recycling.
"In August, we released a draft strategy for public comment," he said.
"This was followed by water forums throughout the State, and the Water Symposium held last month at Parliament House.
"This Government is committed to making Western Australia one of the most water efficient communities in the world.
"The Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme, along with the other strategies being put in place, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the sustainability of our water supplies."
Premier's Office - 9222 9475