Dealing with salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys - Department of Water

with Salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys Conference
Dealing
Prospects and Practical Options
Processes,
PUBLIC ASSETS
Use the investment framework to value and prioritise public assets, so resources allocated to NRM can be spent
appropriately.
Look at what constitutes a viable local government size – people
- budget
- size
Government needs to be approached in regard to devoting public funds for
a) blue sky research into economic options
b) employing people to empower communities.
Agencies need to stop making own research/extension visions and listen to what the farming and general community
needs to know,…then act.
An inter-agency approach needs to be taken re the arterial drainage to the ocean project. The best research people
from whatever agency and appropriate community people need to be involved in a feasibility study.
Establish a dialogue with former groups (Liebe, WANTFA, SPA) to identify and celebrate former successes in
sustainable land management for valley floors.
FORGET SALINISATION!
The issues are complex, this has been forgotten recently.
Complex issues requires integrated management systems –
• surface water management
• perennial planting/systems
• veg protection and biodiversity enrichment
• PORSL options
• agriculture
• etc new industries
Not a single tunnel vision response (deep drainage)
Identify and financially support a wheatbelt valley community (not ‘group’) to plan, implement and evaluate salinity
management at a substantive scale.
Survey our ancient river systems (valley floors) to determine how they intercept, receive and carry water; retain and
detain water and how might the hydraulic behaviour be improved to facilitate better drainage.
Gain the confidence of the other growers who aren’t here!…
• document the existing experiences and quality/quantify (authenticate/provide rigour) those experiences.
• encourage others to uptake and become involved by raising their awareness and understanding of the
issues and options
• this needs to be done by local, relevant demonstrations/trials and with local relevant training/workshops etc.
• support those who are willing to try
• support those “groups” who will be extending this information to the on-ground growers
Other steps
• develop new profitable and sustainable options
• encourage innovation
The next generation must be involved and have ownership! (of the vision, strategies etc).
Need to address soil structure so that water can be absorbed and held in the soil so it can be accessed in dry periods
for greater plant growth and production.
Reinvigorate progress towards getting the NAP aligned to WA visions with appropriate partnerships with WA
community.
Allocate the $6M in Catchment Demonstrations to priority OPUS/PURSL initiatives (not old farm planning).
Website: www.wheatbelt2021.com.au