YOUR INDUSTRY
Unrestricted pumping declared as Gascoyne flows into Carnarvon
W
ater Minister Dave Kelly announced unrestricted pumping from the Gascoyne River and Riverbed Sands aquifer in February. The announcement came after the water started flowing at Nine Mile Bridge at around 8.30pm on 17 February. Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) measured the first flows of good water quality at 209mg/L TDS.
The flows were generated by substantial rain in the upper Gascoyne catchment as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Damien. An earlier flow triggered by ex-Tropical Cyclone Blake, reached Nine Mile Bridge but did not provide sufficient water for unrestricted pumping.
3 THIS is the fourth year growers have experienced unrestricted pumping.
“It is good to see one of the State’s horticultural food bowls getting some good news in the form of extra irrigation water,” Minister Kelly said.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Damien delivers significant flows to Carnarvon region.
Unrestricted pumping was last declared in May 2019. It provides irrigators with access to water above their annual water entitlement from Subarea A, with no monthly limit.
“Unrestricted pumping provides not only the opportunity for irrigators to get some extra water, but it helps DWER manage the salinity of the aquifers that are used for high value horticulture by replenishing groundwater with new fresh flows.
“This is the fourth year that Carnarvon aquifers have been recharged and growers have experienced unrestricted pumping. “This is good news for growers and regional water security after a tough few years prior to this. It is also good for Perth as most of the fruit and vegetables grown in Carnarvon are sold within Western Australia.” MORE INFORMATION For more information go to: www.dwer.wa.gov.au
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WA Grower WINTER 2020
