Collie and Myalup Regions
The Collie and Myalup regions are critical to WA agriculture:
The Collie region is a major producer of milk, beef, feed crops and horticulture.
The Myalup precinct produces a significant portion of WA’s horticultural produce.
The Salinity Problem
Both Wellington Dam and Myalup groundwater are in critical danger due to increasing salinity.
The salinity levels of Wellington Dam and parts of Myalup are currently over 1,100 ppm (up to 1,400 ppm) causing some farmers to walk away from their farms or reject water supply.
The principal cause of salinity in Wellington Dam is saline water flowing in from rivers in the catchment, particularly from the Collie River East Branch – as a result of historic land clearing.
Across at Myalup, growing extraction of water in a drying climate, together with salt ingress from farming activities, has seen increased salinity.
If salinity is not rectified and continues to increase, the result could be catastrophic for WA agriculture with loss of produce, investment, business and jobs.
Our Solution
Collie Water has worked for many years to develop a solution that will:
reduce salinity in Wellington Dam (by extraction of the CREB “salty” water to mine voids)
treat water coming from the CREB and mine dewatering
recharge the Myalup aquifer
provide additional water to the Myalup Irrigated Agricultural Precinct
provide improved water quality and supply to the Collie River Irrigation District by working with Harvey Water
supply potable water to the Water Corporation and other water providers and industrial users
assist reforestation in Collie River South to prevent salt build-up from that area
improve environmental flows in the Collie River
Project Map
SOLUTION LED BY INDUSTRY
An industry initiative, led by Collie Water, as part of the State’s Water for Food program.
FUNDING PARTNERSHIP
Majority funded by industry, with support from the Commonwealth and State Governments.
LOCAL JOBS, STATEWIDE RETURNS
Providing local jobs and growing the State’s economy.