6/10/05
Water restrictions have been lifted in six drought-affected South-West towns after improved rains and new water initiatives lifted local dam levels.
Minister Assisting in Water Resources John Kobelke announced today that restrictions would be lifted in Manjimup, Bridgetown, Boyup Brook, Hester, Balingup and Greenbushes.
The announcement, which takes effect from today, will allow about 6,000 households to water their gardens on more than only one or two days a week.
"The improved rainfalls this winter and more strategic management of water supplies by the Water Corporation have enabled dam levels to recover and allowed the water restrictions to be lifted," Mr Kobelke said.
"For example, water supplies are at about 90 per cent of capacity for the Bridgetown, Hester and Boyup Brook scheme, which is 15 per cent higher than this time last year.
"Millstream Dam, which is the largest of the three dams supplying this scheme, is now overflowing and water is being transferred to Hester and Boyup Brook Dams.
"The overall storage in the Balingup and Greenbushes scheme is now at 96 per cent of capacity, which is 32 per cent higher than this time last year."
The restrictions had been implemented because of record droughts in the South-West, with the lowest rainfall on record in the previous four years.
The Minister, who made the announcement at the recently filled Millstream Dam near Bridgetown, said locals had been on either one or two day-a-week sprinkler restrictions since last November.
"I would like to thank local people for displaying such a strong sense of community spirit and commitment to water conservation in meeting the restrictions," he said.
"It is clear residents of these towns realised their local dams were heavily affected by the drying climate and made a great effort to pull together and save water."
Mr Kobelke said planning was well under way for the State Government's $70million Bridgetown Regional Water Supply Scheme to secure water supplies in the area for the next 50 years.
"The scheme will give local communities a secure, high-quality water supply, catering for population growth and the area's burgeoning tourism and garden industry," he said.
The Minister stressed responsible water use remained vital to secure water supplies.
"We need residents to continue to assist and, of course, they should be aware that sprinkler use is still not permitted between 9am and 6pm," he said.
Minister's office: 9222 9211
