Harvey Water has welcomed Federal Government funding of $190 million for the Myalup Wellington project which will secure the future of a critical Western Australian farming sector and provide significant economic benefits to the South West.
Harvey Water General Manager Bradd Hamersley said the $140 million in grant funding, plus the $50 million concessional loan facility announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday would enable the $400 million project to start; which aims to rectify serious salinity issues in the Wellington Dam and provide better quality water to local farmers and irrigators.
Harvey Water irrigator members will contribute $30 million, alongside $37 million from the State Government and $143 million in private debt and equity from project proponents Collie Water.
Collie Water will deliver the 'above the dam' component of the project, constructing a 20GL desalination plant in Collie to treat saline water from the Collie River East Branch for sale to the Water Corporation to provide water security to Great Southern towns.
With the highly saline first winter flows treated, the remaining water in Wellington Dam will gradually refresh, providing significant benefits to the crucial Collie River Irrigation District and Myalup Irrigated Agricultural Precinct.
'Below the dam' work includes construction of a new Burekup Weir to create a more efficient gravity pressure piping system for delivery to the irrigation districts.
"With increasingly saline irrigation water from Wellington Dam causing productivity loss, germination problems and the virtual elimination of horticultural crops, our members were facing an almost certain end to their existing farming enterprises, but by securing this government funding partnership, the future is now looking positive," Mr Hamersley said.
"We look forward to bringing prosperity to the 730 agri-businesses Harvey Water represents as well as the delivering wider socio-economic benefits to the community.
"The project will provide significant benefits to the South West, enhancing its role as a leading agricultural centre and will enable an increased irrigation and agriculture production footprint in the Collie and Myalup irrigation districts.
"I would like to acknowledge the vision and commitment of the former and current State Governments to this project as well as Collie Water which has worked beside Harvey Water to secure Federal Government support and make it a reality."
For further information contact Bradd Hamersley on (08) 9729 0100.
Harvey Water General Manager Bradd Hamersley said the $140 million in grant funding, plus the $50 million concessional loan facility announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday would enable the $400 million project to start; which aims to rectify serious salinity issues in the Wellington Dam and provide better quality water to local farmers and irrigators.
Harvey Water irrigator members will contribute $30 million, alongside $37 million from the State Government and $143 million in private debt and equity from project proponents Collie Water.
Collie Water will deliver the 'above the dam' component of the project, constructing a 20GL desalination plant in Collie to treat saline water from the Collie River East Branch for sale to the Water Corporation to provide water security to Great Southern towns.
With the highly saline first winter flows treated, the remaining water in Wellington Dam will gradually refresh, providing significant benefits to the crucial Collie River Irrigation District and Myalup Irrigated Agricultural Precinct.
'Below the dam' work includes construction of a new Burekup Weir to create a more efficient gravity pressure piping system for delivery to the irrigation districts.
"With increasingly saline irrigation water from Wellington Dam causing productivity loss, germination problems and the virtual elimination of horticultural crops, our members were facing an almost certain end to their existing farming enterprises, but by securing this government funding partnership, the future is now looking positive," Mr Hamersley said.
"We look forward to bringing prosperity to the 730 agri-businesses Harvey Water represents as well as the delivering wider socio-economic benefits to the community.
"The project will provide significant benefits to the South West, enhancing its role as a leading agricultural centre and will enable an increased irrigation and agriculture production footprint in the Collie and Myalup irrigation districts.
"I would like to acknowledge the vision and commitment of the former and current State Governments to this project as well as Collie Water which has worked beside Harvey Water to secure Federal Government support and make it a reality."
For further information contact Bradd Hamersley on (08) 9729 0100.