A History of Salinity in Western Australia Important (and some unimportant) Dates By D Bennett and D K Macpherson1
30 March St Allouarn annexes Western Australia in the name of the French 1772 King at Turtle Bay 2 4 Sep Capt Hamelin of the ‘Naturaliste’ sets up an alembic (condenser) at 1802 Pt Peron 3 1817 Capt De Freycinet sets up a condenser at Shark Bay and conducts experiment to show aborigines drank salt water 4 1829 British settlement (Fremantle and Perth) 30 Oct Ensign Dale discovers salt affected country 5 1830 1830 Flood 6 1833 Bunbury remarks on brackish pools in Avon and Williams Rivers 7 1833 Flood 8 1834- Dry Conditions 9 1838 1835 Very dry season 10 April- Sheep goats and bullocks die of poisoning on the road to York11. A June 1835 Factor which contributed to the settlers not clearing the Helena catchment. 1839 Nathaniel Ogle writes “The alternations of salt pools and fresh streams even in the same channel, have puzzled exploring parties, but will hereafter be easily accounted for, and probably the cause made useful, like all the bountiful and various provisions of Providence, to mankind” 12 1840 Flood 13 1844-46 Dry Conditions 14
1 Additional Comments and Dates by Dr Richard George and Dr Bob Nulsen (January 2002). 2 Marchant, L R (1982 ‘France Australe’ Artlook Books, Perth, p64 3 Marchant, L R (1982 ‘France Australe’ Artlook Books, Perth, p180 4 Marchant, L R (1982 ‘France Australe’ Artlook Books, Perth, p216 5 Dale, R ‘Report of Expedition East commencing 25 October 1830’ 6 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications; Cameron, J.M.R. (1978) ‘Learning as a factor in land use: The inevitability of Pastoralism in Early Western Australia’ J. Aust. Studies No. 3: p34 and p40 7 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 8 Cameron, J.M.R. (1978) ‘Learning as a factor in land use: The inevitability of Pastoralism in Early Western Australia’ J. Aust. Studies No. 3: p34 and p40 9 Cameron, J.M.R. (1978) ‘Learning as a factor in land use: The inevitability of Pastoralism in Early Western Australia’ J. Aust. Studies No. 3: p34 and p40 10 Cameron, J M R (1977). ’10 – Poison plants in Western Australia and colonizer problem solving’ J. Roy Soc. W.A. 59 (3), p71-7, p72 11 Cameron, J M R (1977). ’10 – Poison plants in Western Australia and colonizer problem solving’ J. Roy Soc. W.A. 59 (3), p71-7, p72 12 Ogle, N (1839) ‘The colony of Western Australia. A Manual for Emigrants 1839’. Republished 1977 (John Ferguson: St Ives NSW), p34 13 Cameron, J.M.R. (1978) ‘Learning as a factor in land use: The inevitability of Pastoralism in Early Western Australia’ J. Aust. Studies No. 3: p34 and p40 14 Cameron, J.M.R. (1978) ‘Learning as a factor in land use: The inevitability of Pastoralism in Early Western Australia’ J. Aust. Studies No. 3: p34 and p40 1847 Severe Flood 15 1849 J S Roe (Surveyor-general) predicts a spring at Warkelup “will probably become as brackish as the spring at nearby Kojonup” 16 1849 Flood 17 1862 Exceptional flood in which salt lakes overflow into the Avon 18 8 Oct E H Hargraves (the discoverer of gold at the Ophir in NSW 19 and 1862 contracted by the WA Government, leaves Albany to look for goldfields from Jerramungup to the Big Bend of the Murchison 20 23 Feb E H Hargraves returns to Albany after 2200 miles reporting that 1863 (with the exception of the rivers flowing west from the Darling Range) WA rivers are “beds of salt, pools of brine and brackish water” 21 1871 First artesian borehole sunk in Perth 22 1872 Flood 23 1875 Poor drainage blamed for 137 deaths in Perth. Public concern grows 24 Early Railway (Fremantle to Guildford) opened for traffic 25 1881 18 Jan Railway timetable suspended due to breakdown of two engines in 1882 part because of “the omission to provide in time a supply of proper water” 26 1884 Railway extended to Chidlows Well 27 1885 G Shenton, Mayor of Perth proposes artesian bores 28 1885 First gold discoveries at Yeeda Station, Kimberleys 29 1885 Sanitation Commission presents options for Perths water: (1) wells, (2) lagoons – Mongers Lake, (3) Hills 30
15 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications; Cameron, J.M.R. (1978) ‘Learning as a factor in land use: The inevitability of Pastoralism in Early Western Australia’ J. Aust. Studies No. 3: p34 and p40
16 Bignell, M (1971) ‘First the Sping – A history of the Shire of Kojonup WA’ (University of WA Press: Nedlands) 17 Cameron, J M R (1977). ’10 – Poison plants in Western Australia and colonizer problem solving’ J. Roy Soc. W.A. 59 (3), p71-7, p72 18 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications; Garden, D S (1979) ‘Northam: An Avon Valley History’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne) 19 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p29 20 “Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics” (1863) 3rd April p3 21 Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics” (1863) 27th March p3 22 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p8 23 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications; Garden, D S (1979) ‘Northam: An Avon Valley History’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne) 24 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p13; WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 25 Western Australia (1882) ‘Papers and correspondence relative to the supervision of traffic on the Eastern Railway in January 1882’ (Government Printer: Perth), p3 26 Western Australia (1882) ‘Papers and correspondence relative to the supervision of traffic on the Eastern Railway in January 1882’ (Government Printer: Perth), p4 27 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p29 28 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p27 29 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p30 1885 Railway extended to York 31 1885 E Hardman (Government Geologist) reports on artesian well supply for Perth 32 1885 Railway extended to Beverley 33 1887 Hills Water Proposal by Saunders & Barrett 34 1886 Gold Discovered on the Yilgarn Field 35 21 Oct City of Perth Waterworks Company formed 36 1889 1889 Great Southern Railway built to Albany by a private company 37 1889 City of Perth Waterworks Company decides to build Victoria Dam 38 1890 Commission on Agriculture, WA colony 39 7 Jan Perth Water Supply Reserve (Victoria Reservoir) proclaimed 40 1891 Murchison Goldfield proclaimed 41 3 Oct Victoria Reservoir opened 42 1891 19 Sep Serious goldrush of the Yilgarn begins 43 1892 15 Jun Paddy discovers Hannan gold at Kalgoorlie 44 1893 1894 Railway from Midland Junction to Walkaway opened 45 1894 Sir John Forest decides to build a water pipeline to Goldfields 46 1894 Perth’s highest daily consumption 200,000 gals 1895 Perth’s highest daily consumption 238,000 gals 1895 Typhoid, 566 cases, 70 deaths 47 1895 Water supplies become critical on goldfields 15,000 gals per day delivered by railways from Burlong Pool 48
30 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p28 31 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p29 32 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p28 33 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p29 34 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p29 35 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p29 36 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p31 37 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p29 38 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p31; WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 39 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 40 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 41 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p33 42 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p34 43 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p33 44 ‘The West Australian’ 11th Feb 1983 p10 45 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p29 46 Alexander, F, Crowley, F K and Legge, J D (1954) ‘The origins of the Eastern Goldfields Water Scheme in Western Australia (University of WA Press: Nedlands) 47 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p34 23 Mar Official opening of railway to Coolgardie 49 1896 3 Sep Sir John Forrest’s goldfields water supply loan bill (£2.5 x 106) is 1896 passed by parliament Oct 1896 Metropolitan Waterworks Board buys City of Perth Water Supply Co. Ltd 50 1896 C Y O’Connor decides to use Helena Catchment for goldfields over 17 alternatives including a site near Greenmount 51 1896 Perth’s highest daily consumption 537,000 gals, “Great Water Famine” commences 52 1896 Typhoid, 663 cases, 89 deaths 53 1896 Hills supply supplemented by artesian bores 54 6 Mar Victoria Reservoir water supply found contaminated 55 1897 May 1897 First instalment of the Coolgardie water supply loan fails in London 56 1897 Typhoid peaks at 1408 cases, 134 deaths 57 1897 W E Wood hears of the relationship land clearing and stream salinity in Northam-Toodyay district 58 1897 Railway built to Kalgoorlie 59 1897 Drought 60 Apr 1898 Excavations for Mundaring Weir commenced 61 1898 Drought 62 1898 Typhoid, 800 cases, 74 deaths 63
48 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p53 49 Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth, p255 50 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p42; WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 51 Tauman, I M (1978). ‘The Chief: C Y O’Connor’ (University of WA Press: Nedlands), p67 52 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p43; WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 53 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p34, p43 54 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p44 55 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p46 56 Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth, p175 57 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p34; WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 58 Wood, W E (1924) ‘Increase of Salt in Soil and Streams following the Destruction of Native Vegetation’. J. Roy. Soc. WA 10 (7): 35-47 59 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p47 60 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 61 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth; Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p68 62 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 63 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p34 1899 Typhoid, 200 cases, 19 deaths 64 1899 Drought 65 Jan 1900 Excavations for Mundaring Weir completed, wall commenced 66 1900 Wet year 67 1901 Dry year 68 10 Mar C Y O’Connor commits suicide 69 1902 22 Apr Water (in pipe) reaches Cunderdin 70 1902 Jun 1902 Mundaring Weir wall completed 71 1 Jul W C Reyoldson appointed engineer in charge of the Goldfields 1902 Water Supply Scheme 72 22 Aug Water in pipe reaches Merredin 73 1902 22 Dec Water reaches Coolgardie 74 1902 1902 Dry year 75 1902 Victoria Reservoir capacity increased 1902 Cranbrook railway water supply goes salt 76 1902 Decision to ringbark about 20,000 acres of Mundaring Catchment to increase inflow 77 1902 Water Board abolished by Act of Parliament – superseded by Minister of Works 24 Jan Water delivered to Kalgoorlie 78 1903 Sep 1903 Mundaring Weir overflows for the first time 79 1903 J Davies (Under Secretary for Works, Sydney) proposal to construct gravitational supply, Canning River 1903 First branch of Goldfields pipeline to Tammin installed 80
64 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth) 65 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 66 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p69 67 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 68 Batini, F B and Selkirk, A B (1978) “Salinity sampling in the Helena catchment’, Western Australia Forests Department of WA Research Paper No 45. 69 Tauman, I M (1978). ‘The Chief: C Y O’Connor’ (University of WA Press: Nedlands), p229; Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p80 70 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p70 71 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p69 72 Tauman, I M (1978). ‘The Chief: C Y O’Connor’ (University of WA Press: Nedlands), p251 73 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p86 74 Ewers, J.K. (1935). ‘The story of the pipeline’ (Carroll’s: Perth), p86 75 Batini, F B and Selkirk, A B (1978) “Salinity sampling in the Helena catchment’, Western Australia Forests Department of WA Research Paper No 45. 76 Bleazby, R (1917) ‘Railway Water-Supplies in Western Australia: difficulties caused by salt in soil’. Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 203: 394-400, p398 77 Batini, F B and Selkirk, A B (1978) “Salinity sampling in the Helena catchment’, Western Australia Forests Department of WA Research Paper No 45. 78 Alexander, F, Crowley, F K and Legge, L D (1954) ‘The origins of the Eastern Goldfields Water Scheme in Western Australia’ (University of WA Press: Nedlands), p8 79 Tauman, I M (1978). ‘The Chief: C Y O’Connor’ (University of WA Press: Nedlands), p256 1904 Salt noted at Goomalling 81 1904 Flood 82 1904 Goldfields Water Supply Scheme Consumption at 1,263,000 gallons per day 83 Jul 1904 Typhoid, 341 cases 84 – Jun 1905 23 Dec Frank Wilson, Minister for Works, introduces an act to authorise 1905 development of Canning Dam 85 1907 Guildford and Midland reticulated from Mundaring 86 1907 E A Mann (government analyst) comments on relationship between clearing and salinity 87 1907 A board (under W C Reynoldson) is appointed to report on hills supply, recommends upper Canning dam over raising Mundaring, Kelmscott, & Lower Canning – report shelved 88 6 Feb Bickley Brook catchment area proclaimed 89 1909 Apr 1909 Metropolitan Water Board reconstituted when 1904 Act declared 90 15 Jun W C Reynoldson analyses problems of salinity of Mundaring weir 1909 and advises regrowth and planting which is adopted 91 1909 Yornaning railway water supply on Hotham goes salt 92 1909 Chidlows well goes salt, reservoir emptied 93 1911 Drought 94 1911 Bickley Brook pipehead completed 95 5 Mar Metropolitan Water Board makes first land purchase to protect hills
80 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 81 Wood, W E (1924) ‘Increase of Salt in Soil and Streams following the Destruction of Native Vegetation’. J. Roy. Soc. WA 10 (7): 35-47 82 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications; Garden, D S (1979) ‘Northam: An Avon Valley History’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne) 83 Tauman, I M (1978). ‘The Chief: C Y O’Connor’ (University of WA Press: Nedlands), p257 84 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p56 85 Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth, piii 86 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 87 Mann, E A (1907) ‘Does clearing increase salt in ground.’ J. Agric. WA 15: 193. 88 Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth, piv 89 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 90 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p58 91 WA Government (1963) ‘Salinity Problems in Western Australian Catchments with particular reference to Wellington Dam – compiled by W H Power’. File PWWS 251/51, Appx 9. 92 Bleazby, R (1917) ‘Railway Water-Supplies in Western Australia: difficulties caused by salt in soil’. Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 203: 394-400, p398 93 Bleazby, R (1917) ‘Railway Water-Supplies in Western Australia: difficulties caused by salt in soil’. Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 203: 394-400, p399 94 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 95 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p66 1912 catchment and buys 4 ha (Canning No 255) in Victoria catchment for £33 12s 96 1912 Blackwood at Bridgetown too salty for use by railways 97 1912 Department of Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage formed 98 1914 Drought 99 1914 West Yuna railway water supply goes salt 100 28 Jul Serpentine River, Canning Reservoir, Churchman’s and Wungong 1915 Brooks water reserves proclaimed 101 1915 Flood 102 1915 Chidlows Well railway water supply goes salt, cleared land brought back and reforested 103 1916 Harvey Weir completed 104 1917 Royal Commission into Esperance mallee lands recommends development 105 despite claims from Foundation Professor of Agriculture at UWA (J W Paterson) that one third of land too salty for farming (Paterson knew of salt accession via rainfall) 106 1917 Flood 107 1917 R Bleazby publishes paper “Railway Water-Supplies in Western Australia: Difficulties Caused by Salt in Soil” reporting that revegetation on Burlong Catchment, Northam had eliminated salt problems 108 1918 Metropolitan and Goldfields water supply departments split 1920 Melbourne engineer (E G Ritchie) recommends to the minister (W J George) that Perth be supplied by dams in the hills rather than from salt artesian bores 109 29 Jun Lower Bickley Brook’s water reserves or catchment area 1920 proclaimed 110 1921 Lower Bickley reservoir completed 111 1922 F Lawson recommends the building of Churchman’s Brook and
96 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 97 Wood, W E (1924) ‘Increase of Salt in Soil and Streams following the Destruction of Native Vegetation’. J. Roy. Soc. WA 10 (7): 35-47, p36 98 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p60 99 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 100 Bleazby, R (1917) ‘Railway Water-Supplies in Western Australia: difficulties caused by salt in soil’. Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 203: 394-400, p398 101 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 102 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 103 Bleazby, R (1917) ‘Railway Water-Supplies in Western Australia: difficulties caused by salt in soil’. Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 203: 394-400, p399 104 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 105 WA Government (1917) ‘Report of the Royal Commission on the Mallee Belt and Esperance Lands’ (WA Government Printer: Perth). 106 WA Government (1917) ‘Report of the Royal Commission on the Mallee Belt and Esperance Lands’ (WA Government Printer: Perth), p167 107 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 108 Bleazby, R (1917) ‘Railway Water-Supplies in Western Australia: difficulties caused by salt in soil’. Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 203: 394-400, p399 109 MWB File 636/20 110 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 111 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth Canning dams Jan – Feb Press reports on problems for Perth residents of water quality and 1923 quantity 112 22 Mar 2000 ratepayers protest at water quality in front of Sir James 1923 Mitchell (Premier) at Rosemount Picture Theatre, North Perth 113 22 Mar Sir James Mitchell (Premier) presents plan to parliament for 1923 successively damming Churchman’s Brook, Wungong Brook, Canning River 114 16 Aug Kangaroo Gully water reserve proclaimed 115 1923 13 Nov W E Wood presents paper “Increase of salt in soil and streams 1923 following the destruction of native vegetation” to the Royal Society of WA 116 suggesting salt accession via rainfall Nov 1923 Churchman’s Brook Dam commenced 117 1 Mar W E Woods paper 118 published 1924 Nov 1924 F Lawson Chief Engineer Water Supply Department commits suicide 119 1924 Report to select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to inquire into the operations of the MWSSDD points out that it would be best for all if the metropolitan area drew water from Mundaring and recommends the employment of a qualified engineer to develop Hills water supply 120 Apr 1925 3500 Farms Scheme proposed 121 Sep 1925 Purity of Water Committee formed at the direction of the Minister for Works 122 5 Nov Canning River (comprising Canning and Kangaroo Gully), and the 1925 Wungong Brook catchment areas proclaimed 123
112 Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth, piv; Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p60 113 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p68 114 Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth. 115 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 116 Wood, W E (1924) ‘Increase of Salt in Soil and Streams following the Destruction of Native Vegetation’. J. Roy. Soc. WA 10 (7): 35-47 117 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p68 118 Wood, W E (1924) ‘Increase of Salt in Soil and Streams following the Destruction of Native Vegetation’. J. Roy. Soc. WA 10 (7): 35-47 119 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p70 120 Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth. 121 Western Australia Parliamentary Votes and Proceedings (1928-9) Report of the Undersecretary for Lands and Immigration 122 Samuel, L W (1972) Note on ‘Committee Charter’ to Chairman Purity of Water Committee dated 19 May 7 Dec Official ceremony to turn on Hills Scheme 124 1925 1925 Wungong Brook pipehead completed 125 1926 W K Weller presents paper “Note on the Salinity of the Mundaring Reservoir” pointing out the salt input from rain was approximately equal to salt output in river 126 1926 Flood 127 Dec 1928 Churchman’s Brook Dam completed under supervision of R J Dumas and R J Cavanagh 128 Dec 1928 L J H Teakle publishes paper “Soil Alkali” 129 Mar 1929 And its sequel 130 1930 Professor J A Prescott of CSIR Soils Division supports Teakle’s views on inappropriateness of developing 3500 farms scheme 1930 1930 Great Britain cancels 3500 farms scheme 131 1930 Flood 132 1930 N Fernie publishes “Water Supplies from Rock Catchments in the Western Australian Wheatbelt” stating that “A large amount of boring by the Government of Western Australia has failed to locate the existence of fresh underground water to any extent. … The heavily timbered country is the best wheat land, and the underground water in this class of country is invariably too salt for stock.” He then proceeds to describe how rocky areas have been harnessed as catchments 133 1931 Expansion of Harvey-Drakes Brook Dams commenced 1933 Wellington Dam on Collie River completed 1933 Canning Dam started 134 4 Apr J Parr (engineer PWD) recommends to E W Tindale (PWD) that 1933 Serpentine Catchment be ringbarked to increase water flow – not accepted 135
123 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 124 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p69 125 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p69 126 Weller, W K (1928) ‘Note on the salinity of the Mundaring Reservoir’. Aust. Assoc. Adv. Sci.: Rpt 18th Meeting Perth 1926 (Government Printer: Perth). 127 Garden, D S (1979) ‘Northam: An Avon Valley History’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne) 128 Hunt, S (1980) ‘Water – the Abiding Challenge’ (Ed. F B Morony) (Metropolitan Water Board: Perth), p69 129 Teakle, L J H (1928) ‘Soil Alkali’ J. Agric. WA 6: 88-102. 130 Teakle, L J H (1928) ‘Soil Alkali’ J. Agric. WA 6: 88-102. 131 Burvill, G H (1979) ‘The forward move 1889-1929’ In (Burvill, G H Edit) Agriculture in Western Australia: 150 years of development and achievement 1829-1979 (University of WA Press: Nedlands). 132 Garden, D S (1979) ‘Northam: An Avon Valley History’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne) 133 Fernie, N (1930) ‘Water Supplies from Rock Catchments in the Western Australian Wheat Belt’ Inst. Engineers J. 2: 198-208 134 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 135 WA Government (1963) ‘Salinity Problems in Western Australian Catchments with particular reference to Wellington Dam – compiled by W H Power’. File PWWS 251/51, Appx 10 15 Mar “…There is but little known concerning the reasons for one soil 1935 drifting of scouring, while another does not ………cultivate on the contour where possible… arrange a system of intercepting drains to check seepage and runoff [ Memo from Teakle to Director of Agriculture] 136 30 Sep “…The Agriculture Bank is pursuing a policy of stocking up wheat 1936 farms with sheep…” 137 Dec 1936 Soil erosion committee (later Soil Conservation Committee) formed 138 28 May “…6. Fallows: 1937 Mr Thomas drew attention to the need for monitoring a cloddy surface on fallows during the summer months and recommended that the largest clods should be about the size of a fist. The use of harrows during the summer months was condemned… As far as possible, cultivation in areas liable to wind erosion should be across the direction of the prevailing wind [Minutes of Meeting] 139 16 Aug [Advises preservation of “ridge top laterite areas” uncleared to help 1938 “prevent the worst effects of erosion and salt rise from appearing” re Avon Location 17759] Memo from A C Morris, District Forest Officer Kelmscott to Kessell 140 19 Aug “I find it rather hard to believe that the withholding from selection 1938 of a few isolated patches …. are likely to have an important bearing on the soil erosion problems in the District” Memo from Kessell to Teakle 141 [No reaction from Teakle on the file] 31 Oct “Wheat Belt Water Supply. Interim Report by Economic Committee 1938 [Including G K Baron Hay] …The [Agriculture Bank] Branch Managers … have decided almost invariably that the Scheme, in their opinion is economically unsound. They were not advised, however, of the intention to treat the scheme as a national undertaking… …. It is therefore suggested that in view of the large expenditure that will be involved … further time be given in which complete data can be obtained, and something of the revenue collectable from all sources, and the direct and indirect benefits which may be derived from such a scheme, can be assessed (Draft 25 Oct 1938) final version 142 1938 L J H Teakle publishes “Soil Salinity in Western Australia” 143 1938 L J H Teakle and G H Burvill publish paper “The movement of soluble salts in soils under light rainfall conditions” 144
136 Battye 1545/AN 82/3 721/29 Vol. 2 137 ‘The West Australian’ 30 Sep 1936 (on Battye ACC 935) 138 Battye 1545/AN 82/3 721/29 Vol. 2 139 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 77 140 Battye 1545/AN 82/3 PF5 FD 1270/29 141 Battye 1545/AN 82/3 PF5 142 ACC 935 143 Teakle, L J H (1938) ‘Soil Salinity in Western Australia’ J. Agric. WA 5 434-52. 13 Mar “It might appear … that the project is so uneconomic that it should 1939 not be contemplated, but the Government is convinced that only by some such system of water conservation can a start be made towards the economic development of Western Australia … the Government is confident that … the indirect benefits … would more than outweigh the direct loss” [A memo working out indirect benefits: Change from 3.5 to 3 acres/sheep Sheep @ 9/8/64 /head Multiply this value by anticipated extra sheep [Letter from Premier to Prime Minister] 145 4 Apr “[the description of the Wheat Belt water Supply scheme] merely 1939 goes to show that even the engineers do not understand the trouble, which is that water cannot be stored in an earth reservoir in the Great Southern districts without the water eventually becoming too salty for use [examples] and yet the engineers state that our trouble is an insufficiency of rain, and in order to overcome that supposed trouble are bituminising that catchment, or a portion of it, at Narrogin … [no suggestion of what the engineers should be saying] the economic committee improved when a supply of good water is available for sheep throughout the summer [denounces use of Agricultural Bank Branch Managers’ opinion]” Letter from H S Seward Parliament House 146 1939 19 stream gauging stations established 1939 Wet winter 147 Jan 1940 “More judicious cropping, contour working and the use of contour banks on long steep slopes have been suggested … Burning of stubbles should not be followed as a general practise. There appeared to be a very general appreciation of the part of farmers, of the need for soil conservation.” J Dept of Agric WA XVII (Second Series): 153-9 148 1940 Drought 149 1940 Canning Dam completed 150 1941 Samson Brook Dam completed 19 Nov “Members reported that measures involving the construction of 1943 contour banks had proved satisfactory in a number of instances” Minutes of meeting: Soil Conservation Committee [Just before discussions on the setting up of the Soil Conservation Act 1944] 151 24 Nov “Dear Sir
144 Teakle, L J H and Burvill, G H (1938) ‘The movement of soluble salts in soils under light rainfall conditions’ J. Dept. Agric. WA. 15 218-45. 145 Battye ACC 935 146 ‘The West Australian’ 4 Apr 1939 (on Battye ACC 935) 147 Garden, D S (1979) ‘Northam: An Avon Valley History’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne) 148 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 76 – Soil Conservation and Erosion – Soil Erosion, Committee Correspondence 149 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 150 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 151 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 76 – Soil Conservation and Erosion – Soil Erosion, Committee Correspondence 1943 I have heard that a proposal to considerably extend the capacity of the Wellington Dam is under consideration. Personally I would very much like to see this work proceeded with, but there is one point which may have been overlooked but which, to my mind, might have been a very serious effect on the ultimate success of the whole venture. I am referring to the possible increases in the salt content of the Collie River following the removal of further timber in the catchment area.” [Letter from D R Moore District Field Officer of the Forests Department at Collie to R J Dumas] 152 30 Nov ‘Attached is a copy of a memo … concerning the danger of erosion 1943 (sic) developing in the Wellington Dam catchment owing to possible post war alienation of forest country. I understand you have in mind the formation of a Soil Erosion Committee to cover the State generally. Will you kindly peruse the memo and let me have your comments. I regard the matter as of considerable importance.” [Memo from R J Dumas to the Surveyor General] 153 22 Aug [A long review of Western Australian Problems on which CSIR 1945 might help; closest to salinity are soil surveys and desalinisation of water. Some tendency for CSIR representatives to go for the basic knowledge e.g., plant ecology. Burvill and Teakle put in a suggestion for studies of soil physics but were away and Baron-Hay representing the Department of Agriculture felt himself unable to elaborate on what they meant] [Baron Hay] “The Rural Reconstruction Committee dealing with land settlement suggested that no major programme be submitted in Western Australia until the land in question had had the “once-over” by some competent soil authority to determine the suitability of that soil for certain types of agriculture and agricultural practices. That has thrown a big strain on the CSIR Soils Division” 154 1945 Very wet winter – record rain in Perth 52 inches 155 1945 Whitehead (Hines Hill, near Muntagin) suggests sub-soiling for dry land salinity 156 9 Jan Soil Conservation Act, 1945 Assented 157 1946 1 Jul Soil Conservation Act, 1945 Proclaimed 158 1946 1 Jul L J H Teakle appointed first Commissioner for Soil Conservation 159
152 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 76 on PWWS 1098/41 153 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 76 on PWWS 1098/41 154 Battye 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 2 minutes of the 73rd meeting CSIR State Committee 155 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications; Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 2nd Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1948 (dated 30 Nov 1948) 156 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947) 157 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p1 158 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p1 1946 1946 H Whittington claims in 1975 that salt was causing problems to the viability of his farming enterprise 160 1946 Wet winter 161 1946 WA Government (A R G Hawke, Premier) proposes extensions of pipeline supplies to country towns 1946 Department of Agriculture conducts trials at Hines Hill to determine whether subsoiling affects salinity 162 14 Feb L J H Teakle leaves State to become Professor of Agriculture at the 1947 University of Queensland 163 21 Apr G H Burvill appointed second Commissioner for Soil Conservation 1947 164 6 Nov Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service States:- 1947 “Land is being mapped into six classes according to its varying suitability for cropping and grazing purposes, and it is expected that these surveys will provide a reliable basis for rehabilitation by the Rural Bank.” “In a number of districts the salt water level in low lying situations or on extensive flats has come closer to the surface during the past 15 years and an increase in salt affected soils has resulted” 165 1947 Commonwealth Government agrees to help finance extensions of water supplies to agriculture areas 166 1947 G H Burvill publishes his Presidential address to AIAS (WA Branch): “Soil salinity in the agricultural area of Western Australia” 167 1947 S T Smith and J E Watson survey the Lake Grace, Pingrup area to enable the Agriculture (R&I) Bank to reconstruct 175 farms 168 1948 Stirling Dam completed 21 Apr Two soil conservation districts the ‘North Eastern’ comprising 1950 Koorda, Mt Marshall, Mukinbudin, Westonia and Yilgarn Roads Boards and the “Eastern’ comprising Wyalkatchem, Kunnunoppin-
159 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p1 160 Whittington, H S (1975) ‘A Battle for Survival Against Salt Encroachment at “Springhill” Brookton, Western Australia.’ Unpub. 11p. 161 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 2nd Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1948 (dated 30 Nov 1948), p2 162 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p3 163 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p1 164 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p1 165 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p2 166 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 167 Burvill, G H (1947) ‘Soil salinity in the agriculture area of Western Australia’ J. Aust. Inst. Agric. Sci. 13: 9-19 168 Watson, J E (1982) Personal communication; Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947). Trayning, Nungarin, Kellerberrin, Merredin, Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Kulin proclaimed 169 26 May Under “Salt erosion a “menace” to fertile lands” 1950 “At Wongan Hills the party [of visiting soil conservationists] spent some hours on the property of Mr J H Ackland, where a serious water erosion hazard had been handled successfully” 170 14 Jul Under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Soil Conservation Act regulations 1950 are proclaimed such that “any landholder in the (conservation) district is required to give three months notice to the Commissioner of Soil Conservation of his wish to clear land, and the clearing of land without a permit is illegal”. 171 17 Nov Minister for Works approves the formation of a Purity of Water 1950 Committee for Wellington Dam 172 9 Mar Submission by PWD to Water Purity Committee to ban further 1951 clearing in Collie catchment (freehold) 173 20 Apr Reply received “There are no means to control clearing. Refer 1951 matter to Crown Law Department” 174 12 Jul R R Pennefather Report recommends community action for salt 1951 land management 175 1951 Mundaring Weir raised 9.75m 176 1951 G H Burvill publishes his presidential address to the Royal Society of WA ‘Soil conservation in WA with special reference to avenues for further scientific investigation’ 177 19 Sep Field day at H Whittington’s to demonstrate D of A supervised 1952 banks for erosion control 178 23 Sep Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service States:- 1952 “Salinity studies of the waters of the tributaries of the Collie River feeding Wellington Dam are also on hand through the Public Works Department” 179 25 Sep Pinjarra water supply area (approximately South Dandalup 1952 catchment) constituted, 180 26 Sep “The 16mm colour film on “Salting and Reclamation” prepared by
169 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service Fourth Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1950, p3 170 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 73 ‘The West Australian’ 26 May 1950 171 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service Fourth Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1950, p3 172 Samuel, L W (1972) Note on ‘Committee Charter’ to Chairman Purity of Water Committee dated 19 May 173 Pennefather, R R (1951) ‘Our Soil Salinity Problems’ “The Western Mail” July 12 174 Whittington, H S (1975) ‘A Battle for Survival Against Salt Encroachment at “Springhill” Brookton, Western Australia.’ Unpub. 11p. 175 Pennefather, R R (1951) ‘Our Soil Salinity Problems’ “The Western Mail” July 12 176 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth; Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth, p260 177 Burvill, G H (1951) ‘Soil Conservation in WA with special reference to avenues for further scientific investigation’ J. Roy. Soc. WA. 37: V-XV 178 “The Brookton-Pingelly Leader” 17 September 1982. 179 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 6th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1952 (dated 23 Sep 1952) 180 Valenti, J (1981) Personal communications 1952 the CSIRO Film Unit in association with the Department of Agriculture, NSW has now been completed … includes a passing reference to the Western Australian salt position”. [Suggests S T Smith visit Murrumbidgee] Letter from R R Pennefather to G H Burvill 181 29 Nov I put a case before CSIRO Executive that they recommend an 1952 experienced US hydrologist be brought out for a year or two under the Fullbright Scheme … There is some knowledge of the principles and techniques of groundwater hydrology in Australia but as far as I know there is little knowledge or experience of watershed hydrology, for example along the lines developed by the late R E Horton …” [Letter from R R Pennefather to G H Burvill] 182 5 Mar “Sir – I see this conference in Perth of the agricultural scientists has 1953 put another page or two on the file about salt problem. That’s been going on for the last 50 years, and it must be a good thick file by now. But there’s never been a shovel put in to try and cure it – H Parker, Quairading” 183 Ca 1953 “The Manifestations, origin and distribution of salt in the agricultural areas of Western Australia We require a better understanding of the general disposition of salt before agricultural development and the redistribution under our agricultural system … … (1) Does further development of the sandy and gravelly areas inevitably mean more water table rise and salting on already developed areas? (2) Can water table rise be checked or reversed by engineering or farming methods? (3) Can saline soils be developed and used without danger if managed suitably from the outset? (4) Can our agricultural system be adapted to more efficient water use? [G Burvill and T C Stoneman] 184 1953 “The possible benefits of surface drainage are important.” File notes by G H Burvill on a report of visits to Dowerin/Wongan Hills area 185 1953 T Poutsma (CSIRO Div. Soils) Reports (5-53) on salinity of soils in N Stirling area for war service land settlement 1953 Widespread heavy rains and thunderstorms in early winter causes serious erosion damage 186 15 Apr “The work of Mr Smith and Mr Stoneman is directed on two main 1954 lines … (1) Study of all aspects of water movements over and through soils and deeper layers, to further an understanding of salt movements and possible benefits of drainage schemes. (2) Field
181 Battye ACC 1565/AN 82/3 182 Battye ACC 1565/AN 82/3 183 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ‘The Farmers Weekly’ 5 Mar 1953. Department of Agriculture WA ARC 95 – Salt Lands – farm surveys and technical reports. 184 Battye ACC 1565/AN 82/3 185 Battye ACC 1565/AN 82/3 186 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 7th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1953 (dated 14 Oct 1953). investigations to improve the productivity and plant cover on soils already salt affected to some extent. Investigations under (1) are very difficult to pursue to conclusive results. No spectacular progress can at present be reported, but some aspects are more clearly understood than before.” [Statement by Minister] 187 6 Jul “The problem of salt encroachment is one that has been placed 1954 before the public and Governments over the last five or six years. There again the Department is so small and we have so few experts that they are unable to get around and advise farmers of the best methods to adopt.” [Extract from speech by Hon L A Long in Legislative Council Address in Reply] 188 near and before: 8 ? 1954 “The general secretary of the [Farmers] Union (Mr A G Thaine) said yesterday that a number of the delegates present [quarterly executive meeting] felt that the rapidly increasing salinity of soils in some areas was not viewed seriously enough by the Department of Agriculture” 189 29 Dec “SOIL SALINITY 1954 Movement of salt so that it can concentrate and cause bare sterile areas depends on water movement and evaporation, leaving the salt behind. Consequently research officers have studied three main phases of soil moisture movement and use:- (a) entry of water into soil on salt patches and adjacent grassed areas; (b) water usage and soil moisture changes under various conditions, especially crop, volunteer pasture and bare fallow; (c) the occurrence of free water (water tables) under flats where salt is a problem, and its possible relation to surface flooding and to underground movement from higher land” 190 1955 Serpentine Dam commenced 191 16 Metropolitan Purity of Water Committee amalgamates with Feb1955 Wellington Dam Purity of Water Committee 192 29 Feb Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:- 1956 “Wellington Dam Catchment The following points have shown up:- 1 There is evidence that clearing does have an effect on salinity of water 2 There is considerable variation in the salinity of seepage water even under similar degrees of clearing and development 3 There is a tendency for seepage to increase in salinity as the winter progresses’ 193
187 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 73 ‘The Farmers Weekly’ 15 Apr 1954. 188 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 73 189 Battye ACC 1545/AN 82/3 ARC 73 ‘The West Australian’ 8 ? 1954 190 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 8th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1954 (dated 29 Dec 1954), p5. 191 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 192 Samuel, L W (1972) Note on ‘Committee Charter’ to Chairman Purity of Water Committee dated 19 May 27 Apr G H Burvill Commissioner for Soil Conservation transferred to 1956 Chief Plant Research Division 194 and L C Lightfoot appointed Acting Commissioner 195 4 Jun South Australian Country Water Supplies – report by Assistant 1956 Under Secretary (to the Minister, Mr Millington) “… the supply of water [in SA] at these low rates is creating a problem, for the reason that it encourages settlers in South Australia to use water for purposes other than ordinary requirements for which it was intended … as it is we are forced to discourage the free use of water by charging a high price. It is, I think, certain that settlers must be further encouraged to go in for mixed farming [wheat and sheep] and so adequate supplies of water must be provided, irrespective of their ability to pay high rates. It is easy to levy a rate which is sufficient to return operating expenses and full Interest, but experiences have proved that it is only possible to collect about one-third of the rates and charges levied [markets] … This Department when undertaking the several agricultural water supply schemes, have always considered each of them as having what is known as a “business undertaking”, but I am now convinced that (1) the rates levied must be reduced to something below a maximum of 6d; (2) the price for excess water should be considerably reduced; and above all, that (3) the source of supply to be reticulated must at all times be reliable and sufficient. This involves extra Capital expenditure and a reduced direct return on cash to the Treasury but, on the other hand, the indirect return would, I think, be greater than it has been up to date …” (Mr C A Munt) 196 30 Jun Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:- 1956 “(ii) Management of Salt Land On salt land in various parts of the wheatbelt many experiments have been initiated with the object of determining, (a) the advantage of protecting such areas from grazing; (b) the effect of cultural practices on salt land; and (c) the effectiveness of using various salt tolerant plants for the different conditions” 197
193 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 9th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1955 (dated 29 Feb 1956) 194 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 10th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1956. 195 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 10th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1956.
196 Battye ACC 935, PWWS 195/36 in Department of Agriculture WA 626/35 197 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 10th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1956, p9 14 Aug Ackland opposes Mundaring repurchases in WA parliament and 1956 suggests further alienation 198 1956 Recommendations to buy back land in Mundaring Catchment to control bacterial pollution and salinity 1956 G H Burvill publishes results of first salt land survey 199 1956 J G Lewis recommends to War Service Land Settlement Authority and to minister (D Brand) to stop further alienation in Denmark Catchment 200 29 May L C Lightfoot appointed third Commissioner for Soil Conservation 1957 201 30 Jun Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:- 1957 “(iv) Watertable Investigations observations have continued on a number of sites in which test wells have been placed to observe the watertable fluctuations in valley systems underlain with salt water. In general, these have shown:- (a) In many cases there is a seasonal fluctuation in underground water pressure equivalent to a head of 3 ft of water (b) The hydraulic head measurements in test wells placed across valley systems show that in most cases the hydraulic grade lines slope towards the lower portion of the valley. This would indicate that the underground water movement is from the higher land to the lower land in the valley system. It seems logical therefore, to postulate in such cases that surface flooding has not been the causal factor of the watertable and, as a consequence, surface drainage will not remove this threat of salt encroachment” 202 1957 Serpentine pipehead dam completed 203 1958 The Whittington’s family home collapses 204 30 Jun Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under: 1958 “SALINITY OF WELLINGTON DAM It has been quite conclusively shown that the seepage water (water flowing out of the soil) is increased in salinity by three to sixfold after clearing’ 205 11 Aug S T Smith submits report to Purity of Water Committee on 1958 “Clearing in relation to salinity Wellington Dam Catchment” 206
198 Western Australian Parliamentary Debates (1956) 22nd Parliament 1st Session p156. 199 Burvill, G H (1956) ‘Salt Land Survey 1955’ J. of Agric. WA. 5 (New Series): 113-9 200 Lewis, J G (1981) Interview 16 October. 201 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 11th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1957. 202 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 11th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1957, p9. 203 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 204 Whittington, H S (1975) ‘A Battle for Survival Against Salt Encroachment at “Springhill” Brookton, Western Australia.’ Unpub. 11p 205 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 12th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1958, p9. 206 Western Australia (1981) Public Works Department ‘Control of Clearing – extracts of the file PWWS 251/51’; Smith, S T (1962) ‘Clearing in Relation to Water Salinity. Wellington Dam Catchment on file held by G H Burvill. 1959 Crest gates installed on Mundaring Weir 207 1960 Wellington Dam wall raised 30 Jun L C Lightfoot fails to produce an Annual Report for the Soil 1960 Conservation Service (see note for 30 Jun 1961) 30 Aug Purity of Water Committee recommends to Crown Lands 1960 Department a ban on further alienation of land in Collie Catchment which is adopted Sep 1960 Agriculture Department Suggests salinity problem in Wellington now a PWD concern 30 Jun L C Lightfoot again fails to produce an Annual Report for the Soil 1961 Conservation Service despite section 47 of the Soil Conservation Act 1945 which states:- “(1) As soon as may be after the thirtieth day of June in each year the Commission shall prepare and forward to the Under Secretary for Agriculture a report – (a) setting forth the activities of the Commissioner under this Act and the results thereof during the period of twelve months ended on such day; and (b) containing estimates for the financial year then ensuing of the work proposed to be undertaken by or under the Commissioner and of the moneys likely to be required for carrying into effect the purposes of this Act (2) Every such report shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament” 208 1961 Serpentine Dam completed 209 1961 Ban on further alienation in the Kent Catchment 1962 S T Smith submits Masters thesis “Some aspects of soil salinity in WA” 210 29 Mar 31 Crown land applications in Collie refused on recommendation of 1962 Purity of Water Committee Jun 1962 Crown Lands Committee (technical) set up “to investigate and report on salinity danger by further land development” 211 1962 Sir John Parker recommends to Premier (D Brand) that bauxite mining proceed in Wungong and Serpentine Catchments 212 1962 L C Lightfoot, S T Smith and C V Malcolm publish the second Salt land survey 213 Apr 1963 W H Power asked to correlate available information regarding the salinity problem 214 – Report distributed to members of the Purity of
207 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth; Western Australia (1924) ‘Report of the select committee of the Legislative Council appointed to enquire into the operations of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department.’ Government Printer, Perth, p260
208 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 2nd Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1948 (dated 30 Nov 1948), pi 209 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 210 Smith, S T (1962) ‘Some Aspects of soil salinity in WA’ Unpub. Masters Thesis University of WA. 211 Western Australia (1981) Public Works Department ‘Control of Clearing – extracts of the file PWWS 251/51’ 212 Benson, W (1981) Interview 23 March 213 Lightfoot, L C, Smith, S T and Malcolm, C V (1964) Saltland Survey 1962 J. of Agric. WA. 5 (4th Series): 396-410 Water Committee 215 1963 Logue Brook Dam completed 1963 Commonwealth Government agrees to additional funds for agriculture water supplies 216 1963 Heavy rains from January through to June 217. Floods in early July and August 218 Apr-Jun Flash floods in April due to Cyclone Katie 219 followed by a wet 1964 June 4 May Purity of Water Committee requests Crown Law Department to 1964 consider whether by-law 34 constitutes power to control clearing May 1964 Crown Law replies that it considers this “ultra vires” the Act 220 9 Sep PWD requests Lands Department to aerial photograph Collie 1964 Catchment 221 1964 E Bettenay, A V Blackmore and F J Hingston publish paper “Aspects of the hydrological cycle and related salinity in the Belka Valley, Western Australia” 1964 Wellington Dam Catchment Investigation Committee, inaugural meeting 1964 Special sub committee for catchment areas formed Sep 1965 Field survey of Wellington Catchment by Barrett, Smith and Co 222 Oct 1965 L W Samuel (Director, Government Chemical Laboratories) analyses information on relationship between clearing and salinity in Wellington Catchment and finds the information unconvincing 223 Purity of Water Committee drops the issue Nov 1965 Lands Department supplies map of alienated and Conditional Purchase lands in Collie Catchment 224 1965 PWD ceases to buy back land in Mundaring catchment 25 Jul R J Keating (Engineer Country Water Supply) recommends to D C 1966 Munro (Director of Engineering) that he resist Crown Land alienation in Collie Catchment 225
214 Western Australia (1981) Public Works Department ‘Control of Clearing – extracts of the file PWWS 251/51’ 215 WA Government (1963) ‘Salinity Problems in Western Australian Catchments with particular reference to Wellington Dam – compiled by W H Power’. File PWWS 251/51. 216 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 217 Stirling Associates (1979) ‘Resolving Land Use Conflicts on the South West Region. A Report to the South West Regional Development Committee’. Department of Industrial Development Western Australia (54, p122) 218 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p2. 219 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, First Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1947 (dated 6 Nov 1947), p2. 220 Western Australia (1981) Public Works Department ‘Control of Clearing – extracts of the file PWWS 251/51’ 221 Western Australia (1981) Public Works Department ‘Control of Clearing – extracts of the file PWWS 251/51’ 222 Western Australia (1981) Public Works Department ‘Control of Clearing – extracts of the file PWWS 251/51’ 223 Personal files of Dr L W Samuel 224 Western Australia (1981) Public Works Department ‘Control of Clearing – extracts of the file PWWS 251/51’ 225 Western Australia (1966) Extract from PWD file 788/62 1966 H Whittington starts experimenting with deeper contouring 226 28 Sep Dandalup Rivers and Dirk Brook water reserve proclaimed 1967 1967 L C Lightfoot resigns as Commissioner of Soil Conservation due to ill health. S T Smith appointed 4th Commissioner 227 1967 Clive Malcolm of WA Department of Agriculture visits USA, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Israel to search for productive halophytes. 1967 Proposal for CSIRO paired catchment studies 30 Jun Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:- 1968 “Groundwater Studies Busselton … A most intensive network of test holes will be required before the pattern of groundwater flow can be determined” 228 Jul 1968 Extensive water erosion in Lake Grace and Esperance Shires and other parts of Central, Southern and South Eastern parts of the cereal growing areas 229 1968 Serpentine Scheme completed 230 1969 CSIRO Paired catchment studies in the Collie Catchment commence 1969 South Dandalup Dam commenced 231 1969 Drought 232 1969 Glen Mervyn Dam completed 1970 North Dandalup pipehead completed 233 1970 First groundwater supply for Perth Established at Mirrabooka 234 1 May V F Taylor (Engineer Country Water Supply) recommends to 1970 Director that clearing by the Colonial Estate in the Collie Catchment be controlled 235 6 May Accepted 236 1970 30 Jun Annual Report for the Soil Conservation Service states under:- 1970 “7.4 Salinity Survey, Collie Irrigation Area Following farmer concern a survey was conducted in the Collie Irrigation Area (36,700 acre) to define the distribution and extent of saline soils and to determine the possible origin of the salinity. The affected soils are inherently saline showing high levels of soluble salts to depth and are underlain by shallow, saline water tables at 4ft
226 Lawson, J (1970) “Contour Banks used in fight against salt” “The Countryman”, Perth. 227 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 21st Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1967. 228 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 22nd Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1968, p12. 229 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service 23rd Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1969, p1. 230 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 231 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 232 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications. 233 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 234 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 235 Western Australia (1966) Extract from PWD file 788/62 236 Western Australia (1966) Extract from PWD file 788/62 to 7ft below ground level. The water table is confined under slight pressure. High initial levels of salt in the soil profile are the probable cause of salinity problems following development for agriculture. Some 400 to 500 acres were found to be salt affected within the irrigation area” 237 Mar 1971 Cyclonic rains causes widespread flooding and damage to roads, bridges, culverts, ferries(?) and water supplies in Northern and Eastern wheatbelt 238 1971 C V Malcolm publishes review of factors affecting the establishment of plants in saline environments239 1971 CSIRO State Committee propose CSIRO studies land use issues, including salinity, relating to bauxite mining 240 1971 S T Smith replaced by G W Spencer as 5th Commissioner for Soil Conservation 241 1971 Lower Helena Dam completed 242 10 May Murray River water reserve proclaimed 243 1972 1972 CSIRO set up the Collie Salinity Advisory Committee under the auspices of the Australian Water Resources Council 244 1972 B Beggs Conservator of Forests approaches the CSIRO Collie Salinity Advisory Committee to seek advice on the effects of bauxite mining. Alex Trendall (Geological Survey) insists that it would be improper to do so as the Committee’s purpose is to advise CSIRO 245 1972 A CSIRO committee endorses the CSIRO State Committees proposals 246 1972 CSIRO State Committee recommends that CSIRO investigate “… Systems Analysis Studies in Resource Management in Western Australia” 247 May 1973 Bauxite Policy Committee established by Cabinet to advise on policy matters related to Bauxite Mining 248
237 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 24th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1970, p12. 238 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 25th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1971, p7. 239 Published as WADA Technical Bulletin 240 Brodie-Hall, L C, Bunning, C R, Grieve, B J, Landford, J N, Munro, D C, Quirk, J P, Ride, W D L, Wallace, W R and Mulcahy, M J (1971) ‘Proposals for environmental studies into some aspects of natural resource utilisation in South Western Australia’ (CSIRO: Perth) 241 Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 25th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1971 242 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 243 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 244 Darling Range Study Group (1982)’Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p98 245 Interview M Mulcahy 9/3/82 246 Stewart, G A , Mulcahy, M J, Costin, A B , Fleming, P M and Charles, A W (1972) “Ecological effects of bauxite mining in the Darling Range of Western Australia: A report to the Executive of CSIRO’ (CSIRO:Canberra) 247 Stern, W R, O’Brien, B J and Wallace, W R (1972) ‘Report of a sub-committee of the CSIRO Western Australian State Committee on Systems Analysis Studies in Resource Management for Western Australia’ (CSIRO:Perth) Oct 1973 Minister for Works, at the request of the Minister for Environmental Protection asks that the Kelsall Committee be formed to advise on salinity aspects of Forest Management in the woodchip licence area 249 1973 South Dandalup Dam completed 250 1973 A J Peck and D H Hurle publish paper “Chloride balance on some farmed and forested catchments in southwestern Australia” confirming increased saltflow following clearing 251 1973 Hunt Steering Committee established by Bauxite Policy Committee to advise (inter alia) on “… studies , investigations and trials to evaluate the soil salinity characteristics of the various catchment areas and quantify the effect of mining” 252 1973 Agricultural water supply schemes costing ($50, 850, 000) completed 253 May 1974 South Caroling farmers inspect H Whittington’s farm 254 30 Jun Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under: - 1974 “Wellington Catchment The future quality of water from the Wellington Dam could depend on what changes are made in the near future in use of land in the catchment of the dam. …. Salinity of the dam water fluctuates with rainfall but regular testing of water from Wellington Dam by Public Works Department since 1968 has shown that all samples contained more than 400 mg/L and two in three had more than 500mg/L TDS. The overall trend has been for salinity to increase by 4.3 mg/L TDS per year. Soils Division officers are helping in several lines of study. Public Works Department regularly samples water from a network of points in the Wellington catchment. Salt and water balance studies are in progress to provide a basis for other research work and decision making” 255 And under “Salt land trials “Seepage interceptors, over-depth contour drains sited with the aim of reducing water and salt movement into seepage areas, are under trial on two farms in the Narrogin advisory district…” 256 1974 Wet winter causes some erosion 257 1974 Reverse osmosis desalinisation plant installed at Useless Loop, Shark Bay 258
248 Darling Range Study Group (1982)’Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p87 249 Darling Range Study Group (1982)’Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p97 250 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 251 Peck, A J and Hurle, D H (1973) ‘Chloride balance of some farmed and forested catchments in southwestern Australia’ Water Resources Res. 9: 648-57. 252 Darling Range Study Group (1982)’Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p87 253 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 254 “The Countryman”, Perth, 11 May 1978. 255 Soil Conservation Service Annual Report for the year ended June 30th 1974, p8-9 256 Soil Conservation Service Annual Report for the year ended June 30th 1974, p11 257 Soil Conservation Service Annual Report for the year ended June 30th 1975, p2. 30 Jun Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:- 1975 “Wellington Catchment … Various suggestions have been advanced to halt or reverse the salinisation process: they include partial reafforestation and diversion of saline water from some streams. Selective reafforestation to retain salt stored in the soil profile could be the cheapest approach but the density and species of trees and the areas involved are not yet known. A survey of farms in the Wellington catchment was carried out at the request of the Environmental Protection Authority. The results showed that a ban on further clearing of alienated land would prevent only a small numbers of farmers from achieving economic viability” 259 1975 Gwelup groundwater scheme established 260 1976 CSIRO Hotham Valley plantations planted 1976 Hunt Steering Committee reports to Cabinet (Darling Range Sub- Committee) 261 1976 C V Malcolm and T C Stoneman publish the third saltland survey 262 23 Sep Legislation to control clearing in the Wellington Catchment 1976 introduced to Parliament 263 1976 Drought 264 Jan 1977 Regulations controlling clearing in the Wellington Catchment proclaimed 265 2 Jun WAIT – Aid Report on salinity control problems attacked by 1977 Director of Agriculture 266 30 Jun Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:- 1977 “Salt land management In recent years some non-departmental sources have claimed that the main cause of salinisation is flow of water through near-surface layers of the soil, enhanced by clearing and poor farming methods, and the consequent waterlogging of lower slopes and valley bottoms’ 267 1 Jul Country based staff of the Soil Conservation Branch transferred to 1977 Regional Service Division 268 1977 Advisory Committee on Purity of Water publishes a study of catchments and recreation 269
258 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 259 Soil Conservation Service Annual Report for the year ended June 30th 1975, p9. 260 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 261 Darling Range Study Group (1982)’Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p87 262 Malcolm, C V and Stoneman, T C (1976) ‘Salt encroachment – the 1974 saltland survey’ J. Agric. WA 17 (4th Series): 116-9. 263 ‘West Australian’ 24 Sep 1976 264 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications 265 ‘The Countryman’ 24 Mar 1977 266 “The West Australian” 2 June 1977. 267 Soil Conservation Service, Annual Report for the year ended June 30th 1977, p8. 268 Soil Conservation Service, Annual Report for the year ended June 30th 1977, p13. 1977 Salinity Research Committee and WA Water Research Council formed 1977 Department of Agriculture publishes “Saltland and what to do about it” 270 1977 Northern Arthur River Wetlands Committee established to review impact of salinity at Lake Toolibin 1977 Stirling Associates report to the SW Regional Development Committee urging more research, data and communication on regional planning 271 1977 Graham Report 272 recommends a WA Planning Commission under a Minister for planning. Report made public 273 15 Mar WISALTS – Whittington Interceptors Salt-affected Land Treatment 1978 Society formed at Quairading 274 10 Aug WISALTS Branch formed at Dowerin 1978 15 Dec Government proclaims legislation extending clearing bans to 1978 Mundaring, Denmark and Kent catchments (R J O’Connor – Minister) 275 1978 State Coordinating Council and attacks the recommendations of the Graham Report 276 on the grounds that the proposed Ministry for Planning would remove decision-making from Departments where statutory responsibilities lay. It would also cause complications and bottlenecks 277 1978 Alcoa of Australia submits Environmental Review and management Plans for Wagerup Refinery 278 1978 SRI International Report submitted to the Department of Industrial Development 279 recommending a Darling Range Policy Advisory Committee 280. Report not made public 281
269 Advisory Committee on Purity of Water (1977) ‘A study of catchments and recreation in Western Australia’ Compiled by the working Group on Catchments and Recreation. 270 West Australian Department of Agriculture (1977) ‘Saltland and what to do about it’ Bulletin No 4048. 271 Stirling Associates (1979) ‘Resolving Land Use Conflicts on the South West Region. A report to the South West Regional Development Committee’. Department of Industrial Development Western Australia. 272 Graham Report (1977) ‘Proposals for an Integrated Planning System for Western Australia’ by the Committee to Review Planning Authorities. 273 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p87. 274 “The Countryman”, Perth, 11 May 1978. 275 ‘Western Farmer & Grazier’ 11 Jan 1979. 276 Gorham Report (1978) ‘Proposals for an Integrated Planning System for Western Australia’ Senior Officers Committee Report. 277 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p93. 278 Alcoa of Australia (1978) ‘Wagerup Alumina Project – Environmental Review and Management Programme’. 279 Sachs, D and Harvey, E. (1978) ‘Mechanisms for resolving Land Use Issues in the Darling Range’ Prepared for the Department of Industrial Development, Western Australia by SRI International. 280 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p237. 281 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p92. 1978 Drought 282 1978 South Dandalup Dam completed 283 1978 Mining Management Planning Liaison Group established to coordinate and recommend on Alcoa’s mining plans 284 1978 Hunt Steering Committee publishes ‘Research on the effects of bauxite Mining in the Darling Range’ 285 1978 Technical Advisory Group to Department of Conservation and Environment recommends to the Environmental Protection Authority that bauxite mining be allowed in irrigation catchments but should be resisted east of the 1100mm isohyet - adopted 18 Jun WA Cabinet approves the establishment of the Darling Range Study 1979 Group 286 18 Jun The Research Coordinating Committee appointed by Cabinet to 1979 determine research priorities and coordinate funding 287 30 Jun Annual Report of Soil Conservation Service devotes three pages to 1979 a discussion of results from Batalling Creek and Yalanbee 288 Sep 1979 Resource 1 Exhibition and National Hydrology Conference, 289 30 Oct J W Holmes report on Batalling Creek trials tabled in WA 1979 Legislative Council 290 19 Nov Inaugural meeting of the Research Coordinating Committee 291 1979 1979 Wungong Dam commenced 292 1979 Worsley Alumina submits Environmental Review and Management Programme for Mt Saddleback 293 1979 Wanneroo groundwater scheme established 294 Jan 1980 Darling Range Study Group begins work 295 1980 Salt Research Committee Reports to Parliament 1980 Drought 1980 C J Henschke publishes the fourth saltland survey 296
282 Burvill, G H (1981) Personal Communications. 283 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 284 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p87. 285 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p119. 286 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p1. 287 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p99. 288 Soil Conservation Service, Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1979, p2-5. 289 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 290 ‘The West Australian’ 31 Oct 1979. 291 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p102. 292 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth. 293 Worsley Alumina (1980) ‘Plan of Proposed Mining Operations 1981-1990 Initial Submission to the State of Western Australia’ 294 WA Government (1979) ‘Resource 1’. WA Government Printer, Perth 295 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p1. 296 Henschke, C J (1980) ‘Saltland in statistics … the 1979 saltland survey’ J. Agric. WA 21 (4th Series): 116-9 Nov 1980 International Land and Stream Salinity Seminar held in Perth and later published 297 Mar 1981 Hunt and Kelsall Committees combined into the Research Steering Committee 298 30 Jun Annual Report for the Soil Conservation Service states:- 1981 “While the result is forced by the arbitrary selection of the boundary condition, the area, which is about 25 per cent of the catchment area, could be a potential recharge area for the groundwater which is causing the presently small areas of salinity lower in the catchment” 299 “These data have been combined with aquifer thickness to create a transmissivity map of the study catchment for use in a flow net analysis to determine groundwater recharge and discharge areas” 300 21 Oct Minister of Agriculture foreshadows amendments to Soil 1981 Conservation Act to control salinity problems caused by clearing 1981 Research demonstrates critical depth to saline watertable required for salinity in WA wheatbelt and extent of salinity in Wongan- Ballidu Shires301. 1981 Metropolitan Water Board now owns 7000 ha of purchased land as part of its catchment protection policy 302 1981 Dr Graeme Robertson appointed 5th Commissioner of Soil Conservation May 1982 Darling Range Study Group publishes report 303 16 Sep Cabinet releases Darling Range Study Group report for public 1982 comment 304 Report recommends more public participation, a Land Use Advisory Committee with an Executive Support Group and more research 1982 Continued debate as to the role of shallow and perched aquifers, Conacher et al305 publish work at Denbarker 1981 Malcolm and Allen paper describing niche seeding technique for establishment of forage shrubs in saline soils306. Dec 1982 Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945 amended recognising land and water salinity as land degradation. Enabled the establishment of Soil Conservation Districts 1983 Wheatbelt Salinity: A review of the saltland problem in South Western Australia published by Clive Malcolm307. 1983 Department of Agriculture given extra funding in state budget to increase activity in salinity R&D. Significant expansion in the
297 Holmes and Talsma (Eds), ‘Land and Stream Salinity’, Elsevier, pp392 298 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May, p102. 299 35th Annual Report of Soil Conservation Service (1981), p46. 300 35th Annual Report of Soil Conservation Service (1981), p56 301 Nulsen 302 Valenti, J (1981) Personal Communications. 303 Darling Range Study Group (1982) ‘Land Use in the Darling Range Western Australia’, Perth, May 304 “The West Australian” (1982) 17th Sept p4. 305 Conacher, et al 306 Malcolm, C.V. 307 Malcolm, C.V. ‘Wheatbelt Salinity’, Dept of Agric. Technical Bulletin 52 Department’s hydrological investigations. Jan 1986 Regulations introduced under the Soil and Land Conservation Act requiring landholders to notify the Commissioner for Soil and Land Conservation of their intent to clear more than 1ha of native vegetation. The Commissioner given 90 days to object to clearing on the grounds of land degradation. April CSIRO convene and later publish (1987) the results of a symposium 1986 on the Hydrology and Salinity of the Collie River Catchment; 16- 18th April, Perth. The conference and papers review the results of the first systematic evaluation of salinity and its processes in WA308. 1986 Link between salinity and waterlogging established309 1987 Paper published on the influence of dolerite dykes on salinity in WA310. 1988 Department of Agriculture publishes a situation statement on the soil and land conservation program in the state. 1988 Department of Agriculture obtains funding for co-operative research project on ‘Forage Production on Saline and / or Alkaline Soils’ with five institutions in Pakistan. Nov 1988 Soil and Land Conservation Act amended. Soil Conservation Districts changed to Land Conservation Districts 1988 Malcolm and Swaan report on the results of 12 years of field screening tests on a range of halophytes311 1989 Saltland statistics for the 1989 were compiled, following on from 5 previous surveys by the ABS. The surveys complied from farms responses were 1955 (73,476 ha), 1926 (123,543 ha), 1974, (167, 294 ha) and 1979 (263,752 ha). In 1984 the area was 254, 690 while in 1989 it has increased to 443,441 ha, or 2.83% of the cleared area312. 1990 Journal of Agriculture Vol 31, publishes 11 articles and reviews of the impact drains on waterlogging and salinity on crop and pasture yields 1990 Temporary regulations introduced under the Soil and Land Conservation Act requiring landholders to notify the Commissioner of their intent to drain or pump saline water. July 1990 Technical Working group published background papers on SW Irrigation area; leading to the eventual privatisation of the area. Papers report 25-35% of the irrigation areas was saline, Paper 26 pp) Dec 1990 The Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation established by the Commonwealth Government. Dr Graeme Robertson inaugural Chair of the Board.
308 Journal of Hydrology Vol 94, 1-2. 309 Barrett-Lennard. (1986) ‘The effects of waterlogging on …vascular plants under saline conditions.’ Reclamation and Revegetation Research, 5, p241-261. 310 Engel, McFarlane and Street, ‘The influence of dolerite dykes. WA’ Aust. J. Soil Res., 25, 125-136. 311 WADA Technical Bulletin No 18 312 WADA Journal of Agriculture no 4, 1990. 1991 ACIAR Workshop on the Productive Use of Saline Land held in WA313 June 1992 Drainage regulations gazetted requiring landholders to notify the Commissioner of their intent to drain or pump saline water. 1993 Hobbs and Saunders publish book which accounts impacts of clearing in Wheatbelt on environment, economic and social systems314. July 1993 National Dryland Salinity Program established by the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation to improve the coordination of the national R,D&E activities in salinity. The first phase (until June1998) concentrated on five focus catchments. The Upper Kent River Catchment was the WA focus catchment. 1995 First State Salinity Strategy (written by the WA Water Resources Council and SLCC) leaked to the "West Australian”. Minister calls for a revision, which was supervised by the CEO’s of Agriculture, W&R, DEP and later CALM (Technical Committee). 1996 Situation Statement and Salinity Action plan published by WA State Government as blueprint for Salinity Action in WA. State Salinity Council with Alex Campbell as Chair, Executive and Research and Development Technical group established. RTDG reviews R&D priorities and publishes results. 1996 PUR$L Conference held in Albany. Estimates of Salinity for WA published315. 1996 The threat and impact of salinity on native vegetation documented316 March Director General of Agriculture (Dr Graeme Robertson) 1996 acknowledges the depth of the problem of salinity in a speech in Albany. Novembe Situation Statement and Salinity Action plan published by WA State r 1996 Government as blueprint for Salinity Action in WA. State Salinity Council with Alex Campbell as Chair, Executive and Research and Development Technical group established. Also proposed were: 1. A formally established inter-agency collaboration, resources and budget ($10M). Large part of this was for tree planting in high and medium rainfall areas. 2. This established the concept of 'priority catchments’ some were Focus (the responsibility of AGWEST) some were Water Quality supervised by the Water & Rivers Commission (W&RC) and some Recovery Catchments (up to 6 were to be established), supervised the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) where remedial action was to be a higher priority, because areas of high conservation value were
313 ACIAR Proceedings No 42 314 Hobbs and Saunders (Eds), ‘Reintegrating Fragmented Landscapes’, Springer Verlag, pp332. 315 Ferdowsian, George, Lewis, McFarlane, Short and Speed. “Extent of dryland salinity in WA’. pp 98-98.. 316 George, McFarlane and Speed in “The Role of Networks” Conference in Geraldton (edited by Saunders, Craig and Mattiske, 1996) at risk. The Focus Catchments are where agricultural values are high, or the Catchment Committee is willing to take action. 3. Set up a Ministerial Committee, the “State Salinity Council” (the Council contained formal representation of organisations and many of those nominated had little or no understanding of salinity and CEOs attend these meetings but who did not get to vote), formal meetings of CEOs and Senior Officers and “the Reference Group” which was to advise the Salinity Council, consisting of Chairs of Regional natural resource management committees, together with representatives of conservation groups and other interest groups. 5.4. The Plan also lead to CALM receiving $s for a biodiversity survey of species at risk (conducted by Greg Keighery). 1996 Paul McLeod is commissioned to chair a ‘Taskforce for the review of natural resources management and viability of agriculture in WA’. The report was rejected by Government. July 1997 Land Monitor project initiated to accurately map the extent of salinity, change in vegetation condition and salinity risk. 1997 Review of the impacts of salinity on land, water, infrastructure and ecosystems published317 Early As a consequence a lot of pressure from all stakeholders, the 1998 Salinity Council decided to review the Salinity Action Plan. March Catchment Hydrology Group publish a review of groundwater 1998 trends from monitored bores across the WA wheatbelt318 1998 Two million-dollar National Airborne Geophysics Project completed319. Results show that the technology is quantitative; can significantly improve NRM mapping and has some management outcomes when adequately field-tested and when skilled interpreters are available. 1998 National Land and Water Resources Audit project announced. Project encompasses 7 themes, including Dryland Salinity. Four projects involve WA; State assessment of current salinity, risk (2020; 2050), Lake Warden modelling, Implementation project (methods assessment) and Classification of catchments 1998 State of Environment Report Published by EPA Septembe David Hartley appointed Commissioner for Soil and Land r 1998 Conservation (Kevin Goss was appointed between Robertson and Hartley). 1998 NDSP release the results of the Kent Focus catchment study and a booklet reviewing the results of research on causes, impacts, costs and management of dryland salinity320 Novembe Revised Draft of the 1996 State Salinity Plan put out for public r 1998 comment. January Tom Hatton (CSIRO) starts to point out that all the scientific 1999 calculations indicate the need for more than 80% of the landscape to
317 George, McFarlane and Nulsen 318 Nulsen et al., 1998 319 George, 1998 National Airborne Geophysics Project, See www.ndsp.gov.au 320 LWRRDC NDSP Occasional paper 1998 be replanted with perennial vegetation if salinity effects were going to be halted (a figure of about 20% had previously been conceived). Richard George (Department of Agriculture) and others supported him. May 1999 International Conference on Diffuse Pollution held in Perth. Paper by R Nulsen questions the impact of the 1996 Salinity Action Plan. 1999 Salinity Council asks the Research and Development Technical Group (RDTG) to model the impacts of the current recharge based options and pumping on salinity. The RDTG (George, Hatton, Clarke321) reviews the impacts recharge based approaches to reduce the eventual extent of salinity, the impacts on flood risk, on biodiversity and develops saltland classes. Flowtube modelling showed recharge based options were less likely to be effective than first considered, that flood risks would increase by at least two-fold and that native plant and animal extinctions were likely to result from salinity. 1999 Agriculture Western Australia322 compiles a review of the impacts of trees on groundwaters and salinity. The study identifies that only large plantings seem likely to influence the current trajectory of salinity. Septembe Tom Hatton and the technical team start briefing people including r and members of the State Parliament about the new findings and extent October of problem. 1999 1999 Dr Tom Hatton (CSIRO) awarded the first National W.E. Wood award for excellence in research in salinity within Australia (see references to Wood in 1923-4 above). 1999 Peter Curry produces three papers on risk assessment and priorities. This helps to drive the need for risk assessment. Jan 2000 In excess of 100-150mm of rains falls in central and southern wheatbelt. Flooding from 1:20 event. Swan River closed due to algal blooms. Over 1.2MT of salt is carried by Avon River323. Early Proposals for a new Strategy go to Cabinet, with expansion of funds 2000 from $10M in 2000 to $30M in 2005, a new Salinity Council (the old council plus the reference group – CEOs will attend), a partially elected executive will be controlling body for the implementation of the Strategy. The Council will be responsible to the Government’s Standing Committee on Natural Resources (Deputy Premier to Chair on behalf of the Premier), Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Environment, Minister for Water Resources and attended by the Chair of the State Salinity Council. March Salinity Strategy for natural resource management 2000 and Salinity 2000 Actions released (Ref?). March Water Corporation provides $3million for community support 2000 scheme projects. Funds administered by the Salinity Council.
321 http://www.kcl.ac.uk/kis/schools/hums/geog/advemm/vol1no2.html 322 George, Nulsen, Raper and Ferdowsian, J of Agric. Water Manage; 39, 91-113 323 Muirden, 2000 ‘Avon River Flooding’, WRC Report HY01. March Final report of the Native Vegetation Working Group (Alex 2000 Campbell Chair) released March Rural Towns Program launches a comprehensive assessment of 6 2000 towns and an investigation of a further 29 towns to assess risks, options and economics of actions. March Deep Drainage Taskforce (Hon Dexter Davies Chair) report and 2000 recommendations released by the Minister for Primary Industry Septembe Salinity Council recommends funding of $3 M for the Community r 2000 Support Scheme (20 projects). Novembe National Conference on Dryland Salinity held in Bendigo, 7 years r 2000 after the first. NDSP reviews operation and looks to revise its structure after mid-term review. Spatial data and tools to assist decision makers, PUR$L, engineering and development of new perennials appear as priorities. Novembe Dr Richard George awarded the second National W.E. Wood award r 2000 for excellence in research in salinity within Australia. Novembe Prime Minister’s National Action Plan on Salinity and Water r 2000 Quality released. COAG State and Regional intergovernmental agreements in progress. Novembe National Land and Water Resources Audit release the Dryland r 2000 Salinity Theme results for Australia February WA election returns Labor Government committed to allocate 2001 additional $6million to fund demonstration catchments and $4million for evaluation of engineering options. February Hon Judy Edwards appointed Minister for Conservation, 2001 Environment and Salinity. May 2001 Government establishes a Taskforce (Fionnuala Frost, Michael Lloyd, Bruce Hamilton and David Pannell) to review salinity management in WA. 1 July Cooperative Research Centre for Plant Based Management of 2001 Dryland Salinity commenced operation. Headquarters at University of WA with nodes in SA, Vic and NSW. Prof Phil Cocks of UWA the CEO. 30 July Conference on the Future of Wheatbelt Valleys held in Merredin, 2001 Seasonal drought breaks with 40-50mm opening season rains. August Rural Towns Program releases the economic impact study on six 2001 towns. Major infrastructure cost caused by salinity is damage to roads within the towns. Recharge control limited to better water management within the town (mains leakages, more efficient and economical watering of parks and gardens and tree planting within the town). Septembe Salinity Taskforce submits its report to Government. Report r 2001 contains 94 recommendations. October The WA Dept of Treasury and Finance publishes “Economic tools 2001 to tackle dryland salinity in Western Australia” by David Pannell October The Water & Rivers Commission publishes a report on modelling in 2001 the Collie Catchment that shows that, to achieve the Government’s target of 500 ppm salt, between 88% and 91% of the catchment will have to be replanted with trees. Engineering options are available324. February The western node of the CRC for Plant Based Management of 2002 Dryland Salinity officially launched by the Governor of WA Lt. General John Sanderson.
324 Mauger G W, et al. (2001) “Salinity Situation Statement – Collie River” Water and Rivers Commission Report WRT 29