A history of salinity in Western Australia – A salty bunch of dates

St Allouarn annexes Western Australia in the name of the French King at Turtle Bay [2]

Capt Hamelin of the ‘Naturaliste’ sets up an alembic (condenser) at Pt Peron [3]

Capt De Freycinet sets up a condenser at Shark Bay and conducts experiment to show aborigines drank salt water [4]

British settlement (Fremantle and Perth)

Ensign Dale discovers salt affected country [5]

Flood [6]

Bunbury remarks on brackish pools in Avon and Williams Rivers [7]

Flood [8]

Dry Conditions [9]

Very dry season [10]

Sheep goats and bullocks die of poisoning on the road to York [11]: a factor which contributed to the settlers not clearing the Helena catchment.

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]

Flood [13]

Dry conditions [14]

Severe flood [15]

J S Roe (Surveyor-general) predicts a spring at Warkelup “will probably become as brackish as the spring at nearby Kojonup” [16]

Flood [17]

Exceptional flood in which salt lakes overflow into the Avon [18]

E H Hargraves (the discoverer of gold at the Ophir in NSW [19] and contracted by the WA Government, leaves Albany to look for goldfields from Jerramungup to the Big Bend of the Murchison [20]

E H Hargraves returns to Albany after 2200 miles reporting that (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]

First artesian borehole sunk in Perth [22]

Flood [23]

Poor drainage blamed for 137 deaths in Perth. Public concern grows [24]

Railway (Fremantle to Guildford) opened for traffic [25]

Railway timetable suspended due to breakdown of two engines in part because of “the omission to provide in time a supply of proper water” [26]

Railway extended to Chidlows Well [27]

G Shenton, Mayor of Perth, proposes artesian bores [28]

First gold discoveries at Yeeda Station, Kimberleys [29]

Sanitation Commission presents options for Perths water: (1) wells, (2) lagoons – Mongers Lake, (3) Hills [30]

Railway extended to York [31]

E Hardman (Government Geologist) reports on artesian well supply for Perth [32]

Railway extended to Beverley [33]

Hills water proposal by Saunders & Barrett [34]

Gold discovered on the Yilgarn Field [35]

City of Perth Waterworks Company formed [36]

Great Southern Railway built to Albany by a private company [37]

City of Perth Waterworks Company decides to build Victoria Dam [38]

Commission on Agriculture, WA colony [39]

Perth Water Supply Reserve (Victoria Reservoir) proclaimed [40]

Murchison Goldfield proclaimed [41]

Victoria Reservoir opened [42]

Serious goldrush of the Yilgarn begins [43]

Paddy discovers Hannan gold at Kalgoorlie [44]

Railway from Midland Junction to Walkaway opened [45]

Sir John Forest decides to build a water pipeline to Goldfields [46]

Perth’s highest daily consumption 200 000gals

Perth’s highest daily consumption 238,000gals

Typhoid, 566 cases, 70 deaths [47]

Water supplies become critical on goldfields 15 000gals per day delivered by railways from Burlong Pool [48]

Official opening of railway to Coolgardie [49]

Sir John Forrest’s goldfields water supply loan bill (£2.5 x 106) is passed by parliament

Metropolitan Waterworks Board buys City of Perth Water Supply Co. Ltd [50]

C Y O’Connor decides to use Helena Catchment for goldfields over 17 alternatives including a site near Greenmount [51]

Perth’s highest daily consumption 537 000 gals, “Great Water Famine” commences [52]

Typhoid, 663 cases, 89 deaths [53]

Hills supply supplemented by artesian bores [54]

Victoria Reservoir water supply found contaminated [55]

First instalment of the Coolgardie water supply loan fails in London [56]

Typhoid peaks at 1408 cases, 134 deaths [57]

W E Wood hears of the relationship land clearing and stream salinity in Northam–Toodyay district [58]

Railway built to Kalgoorlie [59]

Drought [60]

Excavations for Mundaring Weir commenced [61]

Drought [62]

Typhoid, 800 cases, 74 deaths [63]

Typhoid, 200 cases, 19 deaths [64]

Drought [65]

Excavations for Mundaring Weir completed, wall commenced [66]

Wet year [67]

Dry year [68]

C Y O’Connor commits suicide [69]

Water (in pipe) reaches Cunderdin [70]

Mundaring Weir wall completed [71]

W C Reyoldson appointed engineer in charge of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme [72]

Water in pipe reaches Merredin [73]

Water reaches Coolgardie [74]

Dry year [75]

Victoria Reservoir capacity increased

Cranbrook railway water supply goes salt [76]

Decision to ringbark about 20 000 acres of Mundaring Catchment to increase inflow [77]

Water Board abolished by Act of Parliament – superseded by Minister of Works

Water delivered to Kalgoorlie [78]

Mundaring Weir overflows for the first time [79]

J Davies (Under Secretary for Works, Sydney) proposal to construct gravitational supply, Canning River

First branch of Goldfields pipeline to Tammin installed [80]

Salt noted at Goomalling [81]

Flood [82]

Goldfields Water Supply Scheme Consumption at 1,263,000 gallons per day [83]

Typhoid, 341 cases [84]

Frank Wilson, Minister for Works, introduces an act to authorise development of Canning Dam [85]

Guildford and Midland reticulated from Mundaring [86]

E A Mann (government analyst) comments on relationship between clearing and salinity [87]

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]

Bickley Brook catchment area proclaimed [89]

Metropolitan Water Board reconstituted when 1904 Act declared [90]

WC Reynoldson analyses problems of salinity of Mundaring weir and advises regrowth and planting which is adopted [91]

Yornaning railway water supply on Hotham goes salt [92]

Chidlows well goes salt, reservoir emptied [93]

Drought [94]

Bickley Brook pipehead completed [95]

Metropolitan Water Board makes first land purchase to protect hills catchment and buys 4 ha (Canning No 255) in Victoria catchment for £33 12s [96]

Blackwood at Bridgetown too salty for use by railways [97]

Department of Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage formed [98]

Drought [99]

West Yuna railway water supply goes salt [100]

Serpentine River, Canning Reservoir, Churchman’s and Wungong Brooks water reserves proclaimed [101]

Flood [102]

Chidlows Well railway water supply goes salt, cleared land brought back and reforested [103]

Harvey Weir completed [104]

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]

Flood [107]

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]

Metropolitan and Goldfields water supply departments split

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]

Lower Bickley Brook’s water reserves or catchment area proclaimed [110]

Lower Bickley reservoir completed [111]

F Lawson recommends the building of Churchman’s Brook and Canning dams

Press reports on problems for Perth residents of water quality and quantity [112]

2000 ratepayers protest at water quality in front of Sir James Mitchell (Premier) at Rosemount Picture Theatre, North Perth [113]

Sir James Mitchell (Premier) presents plan to parliament for successively damming Churchman’s Brook, Wungong Brook, Canning River [114]

Kangaroo Gully water reserve proclaimed [115]

W E Wood presents paper “Increase of salt in soil and streams following the destruction of native vegetation” to the Royal Society of WA [116] suggesting salt accession via rainfall

Churchman’s Brook Dam commenced [117]

W E Woods paper [118] published

F Lawson, Chief Engineer Water Supply Department, commits suicide [119]

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]

3500 Farms Scheme proposed [121]

Purity of Water Committee formed at the direction of the Minister for Works [122]

Canning River (comprising Canning and Kangaroo Gully), and the Wungong Brook catchment areas proclaimed [123]

Official ceremony to turn on Hills Scheme [124]

Wungong Brook pipehead completed [125]

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]

Flood [127]

Churchman’s Brook Dam completed under supervision of R J Dumas and R J Cavanagh [128]

L J H Teakle publishes paper “Soil Alkali” [129]

And its sequel [130]

Professor J A Prescott of CSIR Soils Division supports Teakle’s views on inappropriateness of developing 3500 farms scheme 1930

Great Britain cancels 3500 farms scheme [131]

Flood [132]

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]

Expansion of Harvey–Drakes Brook Dams commenced

Wellington Dam on Collie River completed

Canning Dam started [134]

J Parr (engineer PWD) recommends to EW Tindale (PWD) that Serpentine Catchment be ringbarked to increase water flow – not accepted [135]

“…There is but little known concerning the reasons for one soil 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]

“…The Agriculture Bank is pursuing a policy of stocking up wheat farms with sheep…” [137]

Soil erosion committee (later Soil Conservation Committee) formed [138]

“…6. Fallows:

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]

[Advises preservation of “ridge top laterite areas” uncleared to help “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]

“I find it rather hard to believe that the withholding from selection 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]

“Wheat Belt Water Supply. Interim Report by Economic Committee [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]

LJH Teakle publishes “Soil Salinity in Western Australia” [143]

LJH Teakle and GH Burvill publish paper “The movement of soluble salts in soils under light rainfall conditions” [144]

“It might appear … that the project is so uneconomic that it should 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]

“[the description of the Wheat Belt water Supply scheme] merely 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]

19 stream gauging stations established

Wet winter [147]

“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]

Drought [149]

Canning Dam completed [150]

Samson Brook Dam completed

“Members reported that measures involving the construction of 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]

“Dear Sir

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]

‘Attached is a copy of a memo … concerning the danger of erosion (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]

[A long review of Western Australian Problems on which CSIR 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]

Very wet winter – record rain in Perth 52 inches [155]

Whitehead (Hines Hill, near Muntagin) suggests sub-soiling for dry land salinity [156]

Soil Conservation Act, 1945 Assented [157]

Soil Conservation Act, 1945 Proclaimed [158]

L J H Teakle appointed first Commissioner for Soil Conservation [159]

H Whittington claims in 1975 that salt was causing problems to the viability of his farming enterprise [160]

Wet winter [161]

WA Government (A R G Hawke, Premier) proposes extensions of pipeline supplies to country towns

Department of Agriculture conducts trials at Hines Hill to determine whether subsoiling affects salinity [162]

L J H Teakle leaves State to become Professor of Agriculture at the University of Queensland [163]

G H Burvill appointed second Commissioner for Soil Conservation [164]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service States:

“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]

Commonwealth Government agrees to help finance extensions of water supplies to agriculture areas [166]

G H Burvill publishes his Presidential address to AIAS (WA Branch):

“Soil salinity in the agricultural area of Western Australia” [167]

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]

Stirling Dam completed

Two soil conservation districts the ‘North Eastern’ comprising Koorda, Mt Marshall, Mukinbudin, Westonia and Yilgarn Roads Boards and the “Eastern’ comprising Wyalkatchem, Kunnunoppin–Trayning, Nungarin, Kellerberrin, Merredin, Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Kulin proclaimed [169]

Under “Salt erosion a “menace” to fertile lands”

“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]

Under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Soil Conservation Act regulations 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]

Minister for Works approves the formation of a Purity of Water Committee for Wellington Dam [172]

Submission by PWD to Water Purity Committee to ban further clearing in Collie catchment (freehold) [173]

Reply received “There are no means to control clearing. Refer matter to Crown Law Department” [174]

R R Pennefather Report recommends community action for salt land management [175]

Mundaring Weir raised 9.75m [176]

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]

Field day at H Whittington’s to demonstrate D of A supervised banks for erosion control [178]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service States:

“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]

Pinjarra water supply area (approximately South Dandalup catchment) constituted, [180]

“The 16mm colour film on “Salting and Reclamation” prepared by 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]

I put a case before CSIRO Executive that they recommend an 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]

“Sir – I see this conference in Perth of the agricultural scientists has 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]

“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]

“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]

T Poutsma (CSIRO Div. Soils) Reports (5-53) on salinity of soils in N Stirling area for war service land settlement

Widespread heavy rains and thunderstorms in early winter causes serious erosion damage [186]

“The work of Mr Smith and Mr Stoneman is directed on two main 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 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]

“The problem of salt encroachment is one that has been placed 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:

“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]

“SOIL SALINITY

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:

1. entry of water into soil on salt patches and adjacent grassed areas;
2. water usage and soil moisture changes under various conditions, especially crop, volunteer pasture and bare fallow;
3. 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]

Serpentine Dam commenced [191]

Metropolitan Purity of Water Committee amalgamates with Wellington Dam Purity of Water Committee [192]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“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]

G H Burvill Commissioner for Soil Conservation transferred to Chief Plant Research Division [194] and L C Lightfoot appointed Acting Commissioner [195]

South Australian Country Water Supplies – report by Assistant 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]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“(ii)    Management of Salt Land

On salt land in various parts of the wheatbelt many experiments have been initiated with the object of determining,

1. the advantage of protecting such areas from grazing;
2. the effect of cultural practices on salt land; and
3. the effectiveness of using various salt tolerant plants for the different conditions” [197]

Ackland opposes Mundaring repurchases in WA parliament and suggests further alienation [198]

Recommendations to buy back land in Mundaring Catchment to control bacterial pollution and salinity

G H Burvill publishes results of first salt land survey [199]

J G Lewis recommends to War Service Land Settlement Authority and to minister (D Brand) to stop further alienation in Denmark Catchment [200]

L C Lightfoot appointed third Commissioner for Soil Conservation [201]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“(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:-

1. In many cases there is a seasonal fluctuation in underground water pressure equivalent to a head of 3 ft of water
2. 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]

Serpentine pipehead dam completed [203]

The Whittington’s family home collapses [204]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“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]

S T Smith submits report to Purity of Water Committee on “Clearing in relation to salinity Wellington Dam Catchment” [206]

Crest gates installed on Mundaring Weir [207]

Wellington Dam wall raised

L C Lightfoot fails to produce an Annual Report for the Soil Conservation Service (see note for 30 Jun 1961)

Purity of Water Committee recommends to Crown Lands Department a ban on further alienation of land in Collie Catchment which is adopted

Agriculture Department Suggests salinity problem in Wellington now a PWD concern

L C Lightfoot again fails to produce an Annual Report for the Soil 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 –

1. 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
2. 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]

Serpentine Dam completed [209]

Ban on further alienation in the Kent Catchment

S T Smith submits Masters thesis “Some aspects of soil salinity in WA” [210]

31 Crown land applications in Collie refused on recommendation of Purity of Water Committee

Crown Lands Committee (technical) set up “to investigate and report on salinity danger by further land development” [211]

Sir John Parker recommends to Premier (D Brand) that bauxite mining proceed in Wungong and Serpentine Catchments [212]

L C Lightfoot, S T Smith and C V Malcolm publish the second Salt land survey [213]

W H Power asked to correlate available information regarding the salinity problem [214] – Report distributed to members of the Purity of Water Committee [215]

Logue Brook Dam completed

Commonwealth Government agrees to additional funds for agriculture water supplies [216]

Heavy rains from January through to June [217]. Floods in early July and August [218]

Flash floods in April due to Cyclone Katie [219] followed by a wet June

Purity of Water Committee requests Crown Law Department to consider whether by-law 34 constitutes power to control clearing

Crown Law replies that it considers this “ultra vires” the Act [220]

PWD requests Lands Department to aerial photograph Collie Catchment [221]

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”

Wellington Dam Catchment Investigation Committee, inaugural meeting

Special sub committee for catchment areas formed

Field survey of Wellington Catchment by Barrett, Smith and Co [222]

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

Lands Department supplies map of alienated and Conditional Purchase lands in Collie Catchment [224]

PWD ceases to buy back land in Mundaring catchment

R J Keating (Engineer Country Water Supply) recommends to D C Munro (Director of Engineering) that he resist Crown Land alienation in Collie Catchment [225]

H Whittington starts experimenting with deeper contouring [226]

Dandalup Rivers and Dirk Brook water reserve proclaimed

L C Lightfoot resigns as Commissioner of Soil Conservation due to ill health. S T Smith appointed 4th Commissioner [227]

Clive Malcolm of WA Department of Agriculture visits USA, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Israel to search for productive halophytes.

Proposal for CSIRO paired catchment studies

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“Groundwater Studies Busselton

… A most intensive network of test holes will be required before the pattern of groundwater flow can be determined” [228]

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]

Serpentine Scheme completed [230]

CSIRO Paired catchment studies in the Collie Catchment commence

South Dandalup Dam commenced [231]

Drought [232]

Glen Mervyn Dam completed

North Dandalup pipehead completed [233]

First groundwater supply for Perth Established at Mirrabooka [234]

V F Taylor (Engineer Country Water Supply) recommends to Director that clearing by the Colonial Estate in the Collie Catchment be controlled [235]

Accepted [236]

Annual Report for the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“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 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]

Cyclonic rains causes widespread flooding and damage to roads, bridges, culverts, ferries(?) and water supplies in Northern and Eastern wheatbelt [238]

C V Malcolm publishes review of factors affecting the establishment of plants in saline environments [239]

CSIRO State Committee propose CSIRO studies land use issues, including salinity, relating to bauxite mining [240]

S T Smith replaced by G W Spencer as 5th Commissioner for Soil Conservation [241]

Lower Helena Dam completed [242]

Murray River water reserve proclaimed [243]

CSIRO set up the Collie Salinity Advisory Committee under the auspices of the Australian Water Resources Council [244]

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]

A CSIRO committee endorses the CSIRO State Committees proposals [246]

CSIRO State Committee recommends that CSIRO investigate

“… Systems Analysis Studies in Resource Management in Western Australia” [247]

Bauxite Policy Committee established by Cabinet to advise on policy matters related to Bauxite Mining [248]

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]

South Dandalup Dam completed [250]

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]

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]

Agricultural water supply schemes costing ($50 850 000) completed [253]

South Caroling farmers inspect H Whittington’s farm [254]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“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]

Wet winter causes some erosion [257]

Reverse osmosis desalinisation plant installed at Useless Loop, Shark Bay [258]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“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]

Gwelup groundwater scheme established [260]

CSIRO Hotham Valley plantations planted

Hunt Steering Committee reports to Cabinet (Darling Range Sub-Committee) [261]

C V Malcolm and T C Stoneman publish the third saltland survey [262]

Legislation to control clearing in the Wellington Catchment introduced to Parliament [263]

Drought [264]

Regulations controlling clearing in the Wellington Catchment proclaimed [265]

WAIT – Aid Report on salinity control problems attacked by Director of Agriculture [266]

Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service states under:

“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]

Country based staff of the Soil Conservation Branch transferred to Regional Service Division [268]

Advisory Committee on Purity of Water publishes a study of catchments and recreation [269]

Salinity Research Committee and WA Water Research Council formed

Department of Agriculture publishes “Saltland and what to do about it” [270]

Northern Arthur River Wetlands Committee established to review impact of salinity at Toolibin Lake

Stirling Associates report to the SW Regional Development Committee urging more research, data and communication on regional planning [271]

Graham Report [272] recommends a WA Planning Commission under a Minister for planning. Report made public [273]

WISALTS – Whittington Interceptors Salt-affected Land Treatment Society formed at Quairading [274]

WISALTS Branch formed at Dowerin

Government proclaims legislation extending clearing bans to Mundaring, Denmark and Kent catchments (R J O’Connor – Minister) [275]

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]

Alcoa of Australia submits Environmental Review and management Plans for Wagerup Refinery [278]

SRI International Report submitted to the Department of Industrial Development [279] recommending a Darling Range Policy Advisory Committee [280]. Report not made public [281]

Drought [282]

South Dandalup Dam completed [283]

Mining Management Planning Liaison Group established to coordinate and recommend on Alcoa’s mining plans [284]

Hunt Steering Committee publishes ‘Research on the effects of bauxite Mining in the Darling Range’ [285]

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

WA Cabinet approves the establishment of the Darling Range Study Group [286]

The Research Coordinating Committee appointed by Cabinet to determine research priorities and coordinate funding [287]

Annual Report of Soil Conservation Service devotes three pages to a discussion of results from Batalling Creek and Yalanbee [288]

Resource 1 Exhibition and National Hydrology Conference, [289]

J W Holmes report on Batalling Creek trials tabled in WA Legislative Council [290]

Inaugural meeting of the Research Coordinating Committee [291]

Wungong Dam commenced [292]

Worsley Alumina submits Environmental Review and Management Programme for Mt Saddleback [293]

Wanneroo groundwater scheme established [294]

Darling Range Study Group begins work [295]

Salt Research Committee Reports to Parliament

Drought

C J Henschke publishes the fourth saltland survey [296]

International Land and Stream Salinity Seminar held in Perth and later published [297]

Hunt and Kelsall Committees combined into the Research Steering Committee [298]

Annual Report for the Soil Conservation Service states:

“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]

Minister of Agriculture foreshadows amendments to Soil Conservation Act to control salinity problems caused by clearing

Research demonstrates critical depth to saline watertable required for salinity in WA wheatbelt and extent of salinity in Wongan–Ballidu Shires [301].

Metropolitan Water Board now owns 7000ha of purchased land as part of its catchment protection policy [302]

Dr Graeme Robertson appointed 5th Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation

Darling Range Study Group publishes report [303]

Cabinet releases Darling Range Study Group report for public comment [304] Report recommends more public participation, a Land Use Advisory Committee with an Executive Support Group and more research

Continued debate as to the role of shallow and perched aquifers, Conacher et al [305] publish work at Denbarker

Malcolm and Allen paper describing niche seeding technique for establishment of forage shrubs in saline soils [306].

Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945 amended recognising land and water salinity as land degradation.  Enabled the establishment of Soil Conservation Districts

Wheatbelt Salinity: A review of the saltland problem in South Western Australia published by Clive Malcolm [307].

Department of Agriculture given extra funding in state budget to increase activity in salinity R&D.  Significant expansion in the Department’s hydrological investigations.

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.

CSIRO convene and later publish (1987) the results of a symposium 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 WA [308].  

Link between salinity and waterlogging established [309]

Paper published on the influence of dolerite dykes on salinity in WA [310]

Department of Agriculture publishes a situation statement on the soil and land conservation program in the state.

Department of Agriculture obtains funding for co-operative research project on ‘Forage Production on Saline and / or Alkaline Soils’ with five institutions in Pakistan.

Soil and Land Conservation Act amended. Soil Conservation Districts changed to Land Conservation Districts

Malcolm and Swaan report on the results of 12 years of field screening tests on a range of halophytes [311]

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 476ha), 1926 (123 543ha), 1974, (167, 294 ha) and 1979 (263,752 ha).  In 1984 the area was 254 690ha while in 1989 it has increased to 443 441 ha, or 2.83% of the cleared area [312].

Journal of Agriculture Vol 31, publishes 11 articles and reviews of the impact drains on waterlogging and salinity on crop and pasture yields

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.

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)

The Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation established by the Commonwealth Government.  Dr Graeme Robertson inaugural Chair of the Board.

ACIAR Workshop on the Productive Use of Saline Land held in WA [313]

Drainage regulations gazetted requiring landholders to notify the Commissioner of their intent to drain or pump saline water.

Hobbs and Saunders publish book which accounts impacts of clearing in Wheatbelt on environment, economic and social systems [314].

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.

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).

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. 

PUR$L Conference held in Albany. Estimates of Salinity for WA published [315].

The threat and impact of salinity on native vegetation documented [316]

Director General of Agriculture (Dr Graeme Robertson) acknowledges the depth of the problem of salinity in a speech in Albany.

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.  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 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.
4. The Plan also lead to CALM receiving $s for a biodiversity survey of species at risk (conducted by Greg Keighery).

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.

Land Monitor project initiated to accurately map the extent of salinity, change in vegetation condition and salinity risk.

Review of the impacts of salinity on land, water, infrastructure and ecosystems published [317]

As a consequence a lot of pressure from all stakeholders, the Salinity Council decided to review the Salinity Action Plan.

Catchment Hydrology Group publish a review of groundwater trends from monitored bores across the WA wheatbelt [318]

Two million–dollar National Airborne Geophysics Project completed [319].  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.

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

State of Environment Report Published by EPA

David Hartley appointed Commissioner for Soil and Land Conservation (Kevin Goss was appointed between Robertson and Hartley).

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 salinity [320]

Revised Draft of the 1996 State Salinity Plan put out for public comment.

Tom Hatton (CSIRO) starts to point out that all the scientific calculations indicate the need for more than 80% of the landscape to 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.

International Conference on Diffuse Pollution held in Perth.  Paper by R Nulsen questions the impact of the 1996 Salinity Action Plan.

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, Clarke [321]) 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.

Agriculture Western Australia [322] 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.

Tom Hatton and the technical team start briefing people including members of the State Parliament about the new findings and extent of problem.

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).

Peter Curry produces three papers on risk assessment and priorities. This helps to drive the need for risk assessment.

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 River [323].

Proposals for a new Strategy go to Cabinet, with expansion of funds 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.

Salinity Strategy for natural resource management 2000 and Salinity Actions released (Ref?).

Water Corporation provides $3million for community support scheme projects.  Funds administered by the Salinity Council.

Final report of the Native Vegetation Working Group (Alex Campbell Chair) released

Rural Towns Program launches a comprehensive assessment of 6 towns and an investigation of a further 29 towns to assess risks, options and economics of actions.

Deep Drainage Taskforce (Hon Dexter Davies Chair) report and recommendations released by the Minister for Primary Industry

Salinity Council recommends funding of $3 M for the Community Support Scheme (20 projects).

National Conference on Dryland Salinity held in Bendigo, 7 years 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.

Dr Richard George awarded the second National W.E. Wood award for excellence in research in salinity within Australia.

Prime Minister’s National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality released.  COAG State and Regional intergovernmental agreements in progress.

National Land and Water Resources Audit release the Dryland Salinity Theme results for Australia

WA election returns Labor Government committed to allocate additional $6million to fund demonstration catchments and $4million for evaluation of engineering options.

Hon Judy Edwards appointed Minister for Conservation, Environment and Salinity.

Government establishes a Taskforce (Fionnuala Frost, Michael Lloyd, Bruce Hamilton and David Pannell) to review salinity management in WA.

Cooperative Research Centre for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity commenced operation.  Headquarters at University of WA with nodes in SA, Vic and NSW.  Prof Phil Cocks of UWA the CEO.

Conference on the Future of Wheatbelt Valleys held in Merredin,  Seasonal drought breaks with 40–50mm opening season rains.

Rural Towns Program releases the economic impact study on six 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).

Salinity Taskforce submits its report to Government.  Report contains 94 recommendations.

The WA Dept of Treasury and Finance publishes “Economic tools to tackle dryland salinity in Western Australia” by David Pannell

The Water & Rivers Commission publishes a report on modelling in 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 available [324].

The western node of the CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity officially launched by the Governor of WA Lt. General John Sanderson.

Final Report - The Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands Sub-Program of the Land, Water and Wool Program [9] (PDF)

Agency Statement of Important NRM Assets in Western Australia [10] (PDF 2.8MB) published. The report complements the Salinity Investment Framework and is consistent with the NRM Review in Western Australia (2006).

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) completed a major analysis of groundwater trends in the agricultural areas of south-west Western Australia [18] in 2014 and published the results.
Detailed records for 1500 surveillance bores showed that in the period 2007–12, groundwater levels continued to rise in and adjacent to areas of salinity hazard in lower landscape positions over much of the region. [333]

Western Australian Auditor General releases Report 8 – Management of Salinity [21] – and found 'There is no regular, on-going monitoring and reporting of dryland salinity. As a result, no one accurately knows the extent, impact, cost and potential spread of dryland salinity'. And as a result of poor coordination, 'efforts to manage dryland salinity are unlikely to achieve any landscape wide improvement.' [330]