LENNOX
WEIR
453. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to the answer to part 2(c)–(d)
of question without notice 251 asked on 15 June 2021 about Lennox Weir on the
Carbunup River in the City of Busselton in which the minister told the house —
Surface
water will still be available to adjacent landowners but likely at reduced
levels. The Water Corporation is working with adjacent landowners to
explore other opportunities.
(1) Has the Water
Corporation had discussions with adjacent landowners?
(2) If yes to
(1), when?
(3) If no to (1),
when will those discussions occur?
(4) What options
for access to water has the Water Corporation discussed with adjacent
landowners and what amount of water has been identified as available?
(5) What is the
salt level of the water the Water Corporation expects to provide to or give
access to the adjacent landowners?
Hon ALANNAH
MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the
member for the question. The Minister for Water has provided the following
information.
(1) Yes.
(2) A meeting was
held on Wednesday, 26 May 2021.
(3) Not
applicable.
(4) The surface water that collects upstream of the weir,
which is accessible to landowners, will still be available. The volume
of water and the level of salinity is dependent on climatic conditions,
rainfall and the tidal movements and will vary throughout the year. The Water
Corporation will continue to work with the adjacent landowners to determine
their water-use requirements for agricultural purposes and work toward a mutually
agreeable outcome.
(5) Removing the
weir stop boards and steel frames may see a short-term, temporary increase of
saline water in the upstream during storm surge events; however, this is an
entirely natural process experienced in other river systems throughout the
region. It should be noted that the current structure is not impervious and
currently allows some saline intrusion.