Myalup–Wellington Project
The Myalup–Wellington project is an industry-led initiative, proposed by Collie Water, to reduce salinity in Wellington Dam – the major water resource in WA’s South West with a capacity of 185 gigalitres (GL).
It is a significant economic development project involving industry, the State Government and the Commonwealth, to substantially increase production capacity, create jobs and allow economic uplift in the region.
It is proposed that the most saline water flowing into Wellington Dam be extracted from the Collie River East Branch to a nearby mine void, with that extracted water then treated in a new treatment plant located near Collie.
The treated water will be piped to Harris Dam to provide a long-term solution to declining drinking water supplies for Collie and Great Southern Towns.
Extraction of salty water from the upper catchment of the Collie River, east of Collie will quickly improve the water quality of the River and in turn this will significantly improve water quality of Wellington Dam within a few years.
The project is a major opportunity to help diversify Western Australia’s regional economy through irrigated agriculture. Currently, less than 20% of the available hectares of the Collie River, Harvey and Waroona districts are irrigated.
Below the dam it is proposed that a new weir will be built to enable water delivery to be powered by gravity – clean, green and perpetual energy. Old open irrigation channels will be replaced with a new pressurised pipe network to reduce water losses and improve supply to irrigators.
The solution to the long-standing issues in Wellington Dam and the impact on agriculture requires both private and public sector investment. Whilst the majority of funding is from the private sector, some funding is being sought through the Commonwealth’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
The Commonwealth Government initially invested $1 million towards due diligence and feasibility assessments and has subsequently committed a further $140 million in grant funding to support the project.
The State Government has committed $35 million for this important project through its Water for Food program.
For more information on Water for Food, please refer to www.waterforfood.wa.gov.au
© State of Western Australia
Key outcomes:
Reduce salinity in the Collie River and Wellington Dam
Provide a long-term supply of drinking water to Collie and other regional towns
Boost agricultural, horticultural and forestry opportunities
Create jobs and economic uplift
Attract investment to the region
Diversify the South West region’s economy
Wellington Dam Needs a Total Solution
A multi-pronged solution to the salinity problem of Wellington Dam and the surrounding agricultural area is required.
The solution must include both ‘above’ and ‘below’ dam elements:
- Extraction of intermittent high salt flows before it reaches Wellington Dam
- Treatment of the extracted water, and excess water from mine dewatering, through a treatment plant
- Reforestation of areas where blue gum plantations are currently being harvested
- Piping of the CRID to improve delivery efficiency and reduce water wastage
- Extension of the piped network to MIAP to allow for irrigated agriculture using water from Wellington Dam
Solving Wellington Dam’s Salinity is Critical
SIZE
Wellington Dam has a capacity over 185 billion litres (second only to the Ord in WA). Less than 20% is currently used by irrigators.
SALINITY
Each year the Collie River East Branch delivers between 60,000 and 110,000 tonnes of salt to Wellington Dam.
OPPORTUNITY
Solving Wellington Dam’s salinity is critical to boosting the region’s agricultural and horticultural industries, creating jobs and attracting investment.