THE State Government has succumbed to community backlash and ruled out a plan to dam the Denmark or Styx Rivers.
Water Minister Graham Jacobs said the Water Corporation’s plans to provide drinking water for the lower Great Southern would no longer include damming the rivers.
However, Bow River would remain under consideration, along with seawater desalination and a groundwater replenishment scheme based on Marbelup Brook.
“This decision is a recognition of the local public response to the Corporation’s structured community consultation process,” Dr Jacobs said.
“The Government has decided now is the time to rule out the Styx and Denmark Rivers.”
About 140 landowners would have been affected if a dam on either river was selected by WaterCorp.
Many were concerned about the loss of their land in a compulsory Government buy-back.
They said immediate uncertainty would have reduced land values and prevented them getting a fair price.
Information on the remaining three options will be presented by the Water Corporation at another community meeting at the Denmark Civic Centre on November 25.
A similar event will be held that evening at Albany’s Dog Rock Convention Centre.
“Bow River would remain because it was the most preferred of the dam options on wide-ranging parameters and should be explored as part of the ongoing process,” Dr Jacobs said.
“Because we don’t know the very long-term population for the region, what the climate will be like and many other factors, it would be irresponsible to rule out all of these options forever,” Dr Jacobs said.
“As far as the Styx and Denmark Rivers are concerned, they will not be part of the ongoing evaluation process and the Bow River is ranked behind the desalination and groundwater options.”
Dr Jacobs said he was thoroughly briefed by the Water Corporation in the past few days on all aspects of the long-term regional supply options.
It resulted in the Styx and Denmark Rivers being placed further down the rankings on social, environmental and economic parameters.
“I indicated I did not want people in Denmark to be placed in a period of long-term uncertainty and today I am acting on this to rule out the options for dams on the Styx and Denmark Rivers,” he said.
Blackwood-Stirling MLA Terry Redman welcomed the Minister’s decision.
“I am delighted that Minister Jacobs has acted so decisively to rule out these river dam proposals and to put landowners’ and the wider community’s minds at rest on this issue,” he said.
“This has been a troubling period for landowners in the vicinity of the Denmark and Styx Rivers,” he said.
“I have no doubt that the decision will come as an enormous relief to them.”
Mr Redman said he would have preferred that Bow River was also ruled out of the equation.
However, he was satisfied it was ranked behind desalination and groundwater options and would only be a last resort in long-term planning.
“I cannot see any short or medium term role for the Bow dam proposal and I would expect all other avenues to be exhausted before any long-term thought was given to that option,” Mr Redman said.
“It’s clear the Water Corporation is working hard on water solutions for the region but it’s also clear that the handling of this issue has caused landowners and the community unnecessary heartache.”
“There’s no doubt that lessons will have been learned and that Water Corporation will be keen to improve community liaison when progressing alternative water supply solutions.
While applauding the decision, the Conservation Council remains opposed to any damming of the Bow River.
Conservation Council water policy officer Steven McKiernan said the area had the highest most consistent rainfall of the state and other options were needed.
“The long-term options for the south coast must include compulsory rain water tanks for residential use, and fit-for-use recycled water for industry,” he said.
“We have a long-standing opposition to any new dams in WA.
“Dams are hugely damaging to the environment and to the social structure of the primarily rural area.
“They involve huge areas of clearing, and interrupt ecological water above and below the dam wall.”
Mr McKiernan said that any desalination proposal for the South Coast must be powered by renewable energy.
“We must manage for climate change and avoid any more energy intensive power sources,” he said.
“The south coast from Walpole to Albany needs a consultative approach to water planning, and we urge the community in this region to attend the water planning forum held by Water Corporation on November 25.”