Dealing with salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys - Department of Water

with Salinity in Wheatbelt Valleys Conference
Dealing
Prospects and Practical Options
Processes,
Respondents were given the opportunity to provide qualitative information on what should be done with land
severely impacted by salinity. Responses varied from do nothing to full reclamation. Emphasis was placed
on finding economic uses for the land in the areas of salt and mineral mining, aquaculture, saltland pastures
and energy production. Other options concentrated on creating a new saline ecosystem, through fencing
and revegetation with native salt tolerant vegetation. Some people considered drainage, pumping and
evaporation pumps as other alternatives.
EXPENDITURE
In light of the theme of the conference, we would expect the scenario where respondents were asked to
allocate 10 million dollars of additional government funds to be strongly biased towards the environment.
However, respondents obviously still had the bigger picture in mind with funds being spent in both surveys
on health, education, law and order and other areas.
Total investment by attendees in the first survey was as follows; health 12%, education 20%, law and order
6%, environment 59% and other areas 3%. The distribution of investments in the second survey was very
similar and included; health 11%, education 22%, law and order 6%, environment 53% and other areas 8%.
Government investment in viable options for salinity was generally viewed as being insufficient in the areas
of developing existing plant based options, finding new commercial options, developing engineering options
and communicating new information. Respondents were more optimistic about government investment in
new commercial and engineering options at the end of the conference (see figure below). The level of public
support was also viewed by most as being insufficient.
Question 4.3 In which of the following areas is the current level of government
investment sufficient to find effective and affordable options to tackle salinity in
Wheatbelt valleys?
40
35
30
25
Before
20
After
15
10
5
0
Percent of people
Developing
existing plant
based options
Finding new
commercial
options
Response
Developing
engineering
options
Communicating
new information