Media Statement - 4th November 2007
A Rudd Labor Government will invest $6.6 million to fund 50 per cent of the cost of the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project.
The Western Australian Government and Gascoyne Water will contribute the other 50 per cent to fully fund a high pressure irrigation water delivery system across the Carnarvon Irrigation Area.
The $13.2 million Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project is the second major irrigation project to get support from Federal Labor – after the Harvey Water Piping Project – which helps increase the efficiency of irrigators in farming areas, south of Perth.
Both projects will be funded from the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security.
The Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline brings the total investment to improve water efficiency of irrigation infrastructure in Western Australia to $55.6 million.
The Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project will mean Gascoyne Water will be able to construct a high pressure irrigation water delivery system which will:
- Use technology that can be implemented in other irrigation areas;
- Reduce system losses by as much as 30 per cent; and
- Reduce the incidence of rising water tables or saline water run-off.
For 11 years, the Howard Government has ignored the water crisis in Australia.
Mr Howard has ignored Western Australia’s water crisis, but Federal Labor will invest in efficient irrigation infrastructure and urban water projects to ensure water security for Western Australia.
On 19 February 2007, Kevin Rudd announced that a Federal Labor Government will invest $49 million to support the Harvey Water Piping Project – to help increase the efficiency of irrigators in farming areas, south of Perth. This innovative project will allow for 17 gigalitres (17 billion litres) of water to be traded to the integrated water supply system for drinking water.
Federal Labor’s $49 million support for the Harvey Water Piping Project will allow irrigators in important farming areas south of Perth to minimise seepage and evaporation and reduce water use by 30 per cent.
The Howard Government has been dragging its feet on the Harvey Water Piping project. It has been re-announcing the project since September 2004 – almost three years ago – and yet no money has been forthcoming.
Only a Rudd Labor Government will deliver on the Harvey Water Piping Project and the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project.
Western Australia does not need Federal Government words. What WA needs is a Federal Government willing to back their innovative approach to water management and supply, and that is what a Rudd Labor Government will do.
A truly national water plan covers all of Australia and does not stop at the Western Australian border.
A Rudd Labor Government will work with the Western Australian Government to secure the State’s long-term water supply – in the face of climate change and protracted drought.
The funding for the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project brings to a total of $121.8 million Federal Labor’s investment in crucial water infrastructure projects in Western Australia.
For Western Australia, in addition to the $6.6 million for the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline Project, a Rudd Labor Government will invest:
- $20 million in a Centre of Excellence in Desalination in Perth;
- $2 million towards the “Saving Hyde Park” project in Perth;
- $4 million towards the $8 million Urban Waterways Renewal project in the Canning and Southern River area;
- $10 million towards a $20 million desalination plant at Wellington Dam to secure water supply from the Collie Basin to the power industry, irrigators and potentially to supply drinking water;
- $49 million towards the Harvey Water Piping Project;
- $30 million towards the Gnangara Mound aquifer recharge project; and
- $200,000 for the development of a coordinated and linked Water Cycle Management Plan for the Peel Harvey Catchment Council.