A new groundwater plan to reduce the effects of climate change on Perth’s water resources has angered some experts.
Key points:
- Rules are imminent to reduce home use of the garden hole to twice a week
- Large licensed water users have more time to reduce their groundwater use
- WA Water Minister says changes are key to Perth and Peel’s future
WA Water Minister Dave Kelly on Friday announced Gnangara’s new groundwater plan and a list of garden sprinklers to reduce water consumption.
Homes with a garden hole in the Perth and Peel regions have until Sept. 1 to prepare for a new sprinkler program that limits the use of holes to twice a week.
The plan also offers large licensed water users north of the Swan River, including industry, irrigators and local governments, six years to reduce their groundwater use by 10 percent.
The WA government believes the plan will ensure that Perth remains a green and livable city. (ABC News: James Carmody)
The Water Corporation promised in a statement to reduce groundwater abstraction by 27% before the 2028 deadline.
Some industries, such as schools, hospitals, and commercial daycares, are exempt from the reduction.
‘Time is not on our side’: Minister of Water
In a statement, Kelly said the plan would minimize the impact of climate change.
“If everyone makes small changes in the way they use groundwater, we can deliver environmental benefits, provide clarity and certainty to the industry, and protect this precious resource for future generations,” he said.
Water Minister Dave Kelly says the government must act immediately. (ABC News: Rebecca Turner)
Mr Kelly said there was no choice but to act quickly.
“The weather is not on our side. We have to make changes and that’s why this plan makes some important changes. But if we implement them, we can still have a green and livable city.”
‘I think there is an imbalance’: Hydrogeologist
Perth hydrogeologist Ian Hunt said early spring was too early to wait for homes to prepare for change.
“If you look at other older users, this is almost six years into the future.
“I think there’s an imbalance. Stopping users from the garden hole is quick and easy, but I don’t think it solves the problem.”
Mr Hunt believes new rules for home users are coming too fast.
Mr Hunt said the state government was on the verge of some of the blatant problems with the water supply.
If you think it won’t affect you, “it’s great”: gardening expert
Horticulturist Sabrina Hahn told ABC Radio Perth that the measure would greatly increase manual irrigation and also have a massive effect on district heating.
“Can Water Corp., which of course can get large amounts of income from people switching to manual irrigation, be able to cope with this huge increase?”
Ms Hahn said the measure would reduce the number of gardens in Perth.
“People are going to say, ‘Oh, we can’t water the garden, we can’t have it, or we can put succulents or cactus in it.'”
Gardening expert Sabrina Hahn believes the changes will result in fewer gardens and make Perth a warmer city. (Provided by: Sabrina Hahn)
“This will have a massive effect on district heating.”
Ms Hahn said that within five years, 50 per cent of the existing garden would be built and that the side effect of district heating would affect people living in the city.
“If you live in an apartment and you think I’m not bored, I don’t have a garden, it won’t affect me at all: it’s very good. It will have a significant effect on everyone who lives in the city.”
Ms. Hahn said WA’s top comfort horticulture agency proposed a voluntary hole registration plan, which would allow registered properties to run their sprinklers three times a week.
He said the industry received comments that the plan was too difficult.
Wetlands must be protected
Michael Hammond, of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, said the plan was vital to protecting Perth’s groundwater.
“Our groundwater-dependent ecosystems are some of the most biologically diverse and ecologically significant parts of our landscape and also support most of our wildlife,” he said.
Hammond believes the government’s plan will secure the future of Perth’s remaining wetlands. (ABC News: Glyn Jones)
Hammond said Perth had lost about 80 percent of its wetlands over the past 200 years due to development.
“The remaining wetlands we have are really worth protecting, and that’s a big part of that plan.”