Reports of the GWG

Links to New Reports ( or download here)

Chairman’s Report 6th AGM

GINGIN WATER GROUP SPECIAL AGM

Chairman’s Report 5th AGM of Gingin Water Group

GINGIN and LENNARD BROOKS TIPPED TO DRY

Previous Reports Links (use them to view or download these)

Chairman’s Report 4th AGM of Gingin Water Group

Minutes of 4th AGM of Gingin Water Group Sat October 31st 2015

Landholder Workshop – SURFACE WATER HEALTH and SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES FACING AGRICULTURE and WETLANDS ECOLOGY

Community Waterway Monitoring Project Quarterly Report March 2015

Gingin Water Group Inc AGM October 20th 2014 Chairmans Reports

Submission to Public Environmental Review Of Image Resources Boonanarring Mineral Sands Mine February 7th 2014

Summary of flow rates of Gingin Brook and Lennard Brook to February 5th 2014

Submission to SECURING WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S WATER FUTURE January 15th 2014

Submission to GINGIN GROUNDWATER ALLOCATION PLAN December 5th 2013

Chairmans report for AGM – Inaugural AGM March 6th 2013

Minutes of AGM and Public Forum

Notes on GWG Water Issues Bus Tour

REVISED OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (MOORE RIVER SOUTH)

WETLANDS UNDER THREAT

REPORT OF THE INTERIM COMMITTEE OF THE GINGIN WATER GROUP TO THE GINGIN COMMUNITY

New reports

Chairman’s Report 6th AGM of Gingin Water Group

Gingin Water Group has had a steady year of achievement in local water matters. The organisation is small and still struggles to achieve  a significant paid up membership to underpin the role it is playing in representing the entire community in matters relating to the sustainable use of the water resource.
My pragmatic approach is to keep  GWG  involved and viable and trust that the community support is present if not paid. However this approach and attitude may well be counter-productive if it exacerbates continued community malaise to steadily worsening regional water issues.

The role GWG plays in community affairs is mostly quiet and unseen. Our budget is minimal, the website basic and means of communication limited to our email list , the website and the NV News and Gingin Community News. However our knowledge base is significant and ever growing and areas of interest and influence extend across the full range of issues involving water use. Our bias remains within Natural Resource Management and Landcare while we represent all levels of farming , urban and mining water use.

Gingin Water Group could not continue to exist without the support of our ex officcio members , Perth NRM, NACC,MCC, Gingin Shire and DWER.
The fact that all these agencies have come to recognise GWG as an objective  science based group representing the full cross section of water users(environment included) has led to our natural inclusion in their role of communicating effectively with the local community. This level of trust and confidence could not be achieved without the participation of the committed and  very experienced committee members which represent the broad spectrum of community water users.

I thank each and every one of these people, and all those others who have helped , educated and encouraged me in my role as chairman.
Since the special general meeting held in November 2016 the new committee has met 5 times.
The main messages we took from that special meeting was:

1. The need to engage the Gingin Shire in a much stronger partnership to communicate the water message to the local community. The Shire Council is the organisation which truly represents every resident and landowner through the local government law and  payment of rates .
2. To ensure that adequate water flows through the unique network of brooks, streams and wetlands to satisfy the needs of the local Gingin community.
3. To communicate to the local community the latest findings of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulations regarding the surface water resources of our unique and much loved wetland system.

To achieve these objectives has been the focus of most of the committees energy this year.

It has involved many  hours of work from many on the committee contributing their various skills and interests.

Perth NRM , Chittering Landcare, NACC and  various officers of DWER have given of their time and expertise to enable GWG to achieve these objectives.
Changed laws governing  Incorporated organisations means that our constitution needs to be revised. We are working towards this end.

Our website is outdated and we are seeking advice as to how best to alter it.

We are now on Facebook. We need help to ensure that  medium is used successfully.

We worked hard to better understand our multi parameter water meter. Ed Fletcher and Terry Grocke are focused on restarting the brook monitoring program in a way that matches community concern with the time and expertise required to carry out the actual measurements.

A professional presentation to the Gingin Shire Council convinced Council to accept the recommendation to form a Gingin Water Advisory Subcommittee and  use the mechanism of community working groups to better engage the community to understand local water issues and achieve desired outcomes. This mechanism is in the process of establishment.

The  focus  of GWG Inc in 2018  must be to work with the new Council committee in a way that achieves ongoing  positive water resource outcomes for the community.

And finally we have developed a mechanism whereby individual landholders and residents  can engage with the water strategies of the Department of Water and Environmental  Regulation in a way that will educate and encourage personal input to help the regulator  make water decisions that reflect community aspirations .

We call this The Community Engagement Project Landholder Water Strategy . It will be able to accessed from the Gingin Resource Centre.
I encourage you to visit the resource and see where you fit into it.

I encourage you contact your neighbours and discuss the issues raised in the strategic documents then become active.

Contact your Gingin Water Advisory Committee through a local Council representative, a member of GWG or phone the Shire.

David Rickson Chairman Gingin Water Group Inc   2017.

David Rickson

GINGIN WATER GROUP SPECIAL AGM

30TH November 2016 at 7pm in Granville Centre Committee Room
Use this final opportunity to support this group … or lose it.

• The Chair and Deputy Chair have stood aside to stimulate new local membership. They have slaved to the organisation.
• Both will continue in committee. Treasurer and Secretary will support  a new leadership team
• DOW, Gingin Shire, Perth NRM, NACC,MCC and Chittering Landcare all support GWG and see the organisation as necessary
• Serious water issues lay ahead for parts of Gingin/Bindoon

Gingin deserves a local collective voice “To keep the Bastards Honest”

David Rickson              

Chairman’s Report 5th AGM of Gingin Water Group

Gingin Water Group has had a steady year of achievement in local water matters. The organisation is small and still struggles to achieve  a significant paid up membership to underpin the role it is playing in representing the entire community in matters relating to the sustainable use of the water resource . I do not have the time and resources to pursue a greater paid up list of members as well as attend the  meetings, research  etc that is required if the community is to be properly represented in the decision making  process that  controls how our local water resource is used. This time commitment will only increase as the resource diminishes and the demands for it increases.

My pragmatic approach is to keep  GWG  involved and viable and trust that the community support is present if not paid. However this approach and attitude may well be counter-productive if it exacerbates continued community malaise to steadily worsening regional water issues.
The role GWG plays in community affairs is mostly quiet and unseen. Our budget is minimal, the website basic and means of communication limited to our email list , the website and the NV News and Gingin Community News. However our knowledge base is significant and ever growing and areas of interest and influence extend across the full range of issues involving water use. Our bias remains within Natural Resource Management and Landcare while we represent all levels of farming , urban and mining water use.

Gingin Water Group could not continue to exist without the support of our ex officcio members , Perth NRM, NACC,MCC, Gingin Shire and DOW . NACC is playing an increasingly important role in our region and I thank  their local field officer Rodger Walker for the regular assistance he gives me. The fact that all these agencies have come to recognise GWG as an objective  science based group representing the full cross section of water users(environment included) has led to our natural inclusion in their role of communicating effectively with the local community. This level of trust and confidence could not be achieved without the participation of the committed and  very experienced committee members which represent the broad spectrum of community water users.

I thank each and every one of these people, and all those others who have helped , educated and encouraged me in my role as chairman.

I do not wish to impose needlessly on this meetings time but will list in point form the more important tasks undertaken this year:

• 4 bi monthly committee meetings, many with a guest or  DOW  expert
•  Submission regarding  the Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5million  and attendance to the regional public presentation meeting
• Several separate meetings with various DOW and NACC officials
• Arranged and produced , with NACC funding , a joint FOMRE, GWG and Lower Moore River working group professional promotional video
• Held a sold out bus tour on Feb 2nd to tour the regions Wetlands with expert help and funding from NACC and DOW
• Wrote several major NV News articles
• Pursued DOW re continued low Brook flows
• Pursued DOW re limited knowledge of  Surficial  and Mirrabooka aquifers , allocations from these and the  interactions with surface water recharge to the Lennard Brook and  eastern Gingin brook system.
• Participated in Moore River estuary monitoring with FOMRE local action group
• Bi monthly monitoring along 25 sites of the waterway system
• Continued to develop understanding of the community owned multiparameter water meter and its calibration and computerised compatibility
• Investigated  and reported on replant of northern Pine forest..ongoing.
• Continued to lobby DOW to better understand the recharge characteristics of the southern Moore river and western Gingin brook
• Prepared submission of support for WA Landcare Network funding application
• Prepared funding application for Feral fox control program
• Prepared grant application for assessment of EWR’s of Gingin and Lennard Brooks
• Many , many phone calls and emails….

In conclusion I commend to the meeting and the community generally the work of the Gingin Water Group over the last six and a half years .
I sincerely thank all those people who have supported , helped and educated me over that time. Collectively we have achieved a lot and more importantly learnt much more.
The drying climate , as we are experiencing it at Gingin, is a steadily moving phenomenon . To deal with the implications of this , the community must individually and  collectively understand the many different parts of a complicated jigsaw of events. It is my earnest belief that we must objectively understand the science of the bits and relate this subjectively to our own position in the total  jigsaw . Only then can we make individual decisions which collectively will help us as a community to deal positively with the consequences of these changes.

My own position in Gingin Water Group must come to an end. I have been unable to match a paid up membership and level of actual voiced support to  underpin the position the organisation constantly takes with the important  organisations we constantly communicate with that the organisation represents the majority of the community.
It is time for someone else to lead.
I therefore will not be renominating for the position of chairman, nor will I accept the deputy role.
I will remain a member of the Group and  will nominate for a committee position and even the secretary position if required. But I will not lead!

David Rickson                    
October 2016

GINGIN and LENNARD BROOKS TIPPED TO DRY

Gingin Water Group

Recent modelling  by Department of Water scientists has indicated that over the next few years there will most likely be periods of NO FLOW  in the upper reaches of the Lennard and Gingin Brooks  during  the peak of dryer summers.

In presenting this startling revelation the scientists stated that the rainfall in the Gingin region had been declining since the mid 1970s. This trend is predicted to continue with all global climate models predicting less rainfall for our region. As a result there will be less water in the brooks.
To date there has been an observed reduction in average annual streamflow of up to 13 per cent in Gingin Brook and up to 20 percent in Lennard Brook.

They said that the ability of farmers to take their full  current licensed entitlements from both brooks  was not feasible. To date users can only take the full entitlement 63 percent of the time from Gingin Brook and 19 percent  of the time from Lennard Brook.
If flows continue to decline, as predicted, there will be continued issues with licensees not being able to access their water entitlements in summer.
In support of its position the DOW said that their scientists had analysed climate projections from all global climate models and used those most accurate to date for South West Western Australia. They then used this data and known abstraction figures to make predictions  of streamflows under a future  Gingin climate centred on 2030.

Their predictions indicate that

• Flows in both brooks will be reduced in addition to what has already been experienced.
• Streamflow will be too low to support the current pattern and volume of use.
• Farmers would have to reduce their annual water take by nearly 90% if they wanted to take their full allocation every  year under the 2030 scenario.
• The brooks will experience an increase in low flow periods and times when some upstream reaches will cease to flow.

RESPONDING TO CHANGE
In the presentation of these facts to Gingin Water Group the Department told of  the actions they may take

• Targeted recoup of unused entitlements
• Encouraging farmers abstraction patterns from summer to winter taking of water
• Improving water use efficiency and reducing abstraction over time in both catchments to match the recharge.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING and AGM of Gingin Water Group
The AGM of Gingin Water Group will be held on Wednesday October 26th at 7pm in the Bendigo Bank Tennis Centre committee room.
After election of new office bearers and presentation of reports the AGM will close. The meeting will then discuss any individual water concerns with the aim to direct the next year agenda.
Light refreshments will be served.

David Rickson  Hon Chairman GWG
Phone 0427612918

Past Reports

Chairman’s Report 4th AGM of Gingin Water Group

Gingin Water Group has had a steady year of achievement in local water matters. The organisation is small and still struggles to achieve  a significant paid up membership to underpin the role it is playing in representing the entire community in matters relating to the sustainable use of the water resource . I do not have the time and resources to pursue a greater paid up list of members as well as attend the  meetings, research  etc that is required if the community is to be properly represented in the decision making  process that  controls how our local water resource is used. This time commitment will only increase as the resource diminishes and the demands for it increases.

My pragmatic approach is to keep  GWG  involved and viable and trust that the community support is present if not paid.

The role GWG plays in community affairs is mostly quiet and unseen. Our budget is minimal, the website basic and means of communication limited to our email list , the website and the NV News and Gingin Community News. However our knowledge base is significant and ever growing and areas of interest and influence extend across the full range of issues involving water use. Our bias remains within Natural Resource Management and Landcare while we represent all levels of farming , urban and mining water use.

Gingin Water Group could not continue to exist without the support of our ex officcio members , Perth NRM, NACC,MCC, Gingin Shire and DOW . NACC is playing an increasingly important role in our region and I thank  their local field officer Rodger Walker for the regular assistance he gives me. The fact that all these agencies have come to recognise GWG as an objective  science based group representing the full cross section of water users(environment included) has led to our natural inclusion in their role of communicating effectively with the local community. This level of trust and confidence could not be achieved without the participation of the committed and  very experienced committee members which represent the broad spectrum of community water users.

I thank each and every one of these people, and all those others who have helped , educated and encouraged me in my role as chairman.

I do not wish to impose needlessly on this meetings time but will list in point form the more important tasks undertaken this year:

• 5 bi monthly committee meetings, many with a guest or  DOW  expert
• Several submissions regarding  water allocation applications
• Several separate meetings with various DOW officials
• Attended NACC strategy workshop on NARvis and Photomon app for photographic monitoring
• Attended Ministerial  release of Gingin Groundwater Allocation Plan and Methods report ..ditributed these documents and others to Gingin library and Resource centre.
• Attended Ministerial  release in Moora of  Water for Food initiative and resultant follow up workshop at Jurien Bay
• Pursued DOW re continued low Brook flows with particular  focus on Neergabby region
• Pursued DOW re limited knowledge of  Surficial  and Mirrabooka aquifers , allocations from these and the  interactions with surface water recharge to the Lennard Brook and  eastern Gingin brook system.
• Bi monthly monitoring along 25 sites of the waterway system
• Purchase of multiparameter water monitor with funds from MCC and Gingin Shire
• Production of Report on the first 3 months of the Waterway monitoring
• Ran a daylong  landholder workshop “  Surface Water Health and Sustainability…..Challenges Facing Agriculture and Wetlands Ecology” with expert guest speakers. Report produced and circulated.
• Investigated  and reported on replant of northern Pine forest..ongoing.
• Attended workshop to begin the monitoring program assessing the health of the Moore River Estuary
• Continued to lobby DOW to better understand the recharge characteristics of the southern Moore river and western Gingin brook
• Joined and attended WA Landcare Network workshop at Chittering Landcare
• Many , many phone calls and emails….

David Rickson                    31 October 2015

Minutes of 4th AGM of Gingin Water Group Sat October 31st 2015

Held in The Bendigo Bank Complex  committee room  at 11am.

Apologies: Shane Love MP, Jill Wilson,Rodger Walker,Sally Calder,Ian and Betty Tubby,Don Cummins (DOW),Terry Grocke,Kerry Fewster,Kerry Thom
Present: 10 members, 10  community members as per attendance sheet.
Quorum achieved ..meeting commenced 11.05am
Minutes of 3rd AGM approved     Reg Berale Mve, Linda Johnson 2nd.
Financial report. Treasurer Aaron Natoli delivered the financial report for the financial year ended 30th June 2015(attached). He reported cash at bank of $3614 and fixed assets(water monitor) of $3185. There were no outstanding amounts payable.He reported a paid up membership of 27 out of a total of 66.
It was resolved to accept the report on motion of Sue Pedrick , 2nd Reg Beale 
Chairmans Report:  David Rickson delivered  the chairmans report(attached)
Election of Office bearers:  After nominations were invited  the following positions were nominated and accepted on the motion of Reg Beale , 2nd Tony Maddern by a unanimous vote
Chairman..David Rickson 
Vice Chairman Terry Grocke
Treasurer ..Aaron Natoli
Secretary.. Lorraine Wyse
Committee members; Adriaan DuToit,Kerry Fewster,Kerry Thom, Kevin House,Jill Wilson.
Ex Officio members represent the following organisations; DOW,Gingin Shire,NACC,MCC,Perth NRM,Chittering Landcare,Citrus Improvement group,FOMRE.
AGM closed at 11.25am
Meeting opened to a general discussion of water issues.
Issues summarised in point form

• Lorraine Wyse summarised the progress of the first year of waterway monitoring. She introduced the multiparameter monitoring meter used and invited  interested landholders to offer to assist. She noted that the Neergabby region, Lennard Brook region and Mungala brook region all needed extra monitoring and  said GWG could assist landholders to do that monitoring , but  did not have the time resource to increase what was already being done.
• The issue of water leaving Gingin for use in bottling was raised with some concern. It was pointed out to be a  legitimate use of the water but that GWG should consult the Shire re the local disruption caused by the water tanker trucks.
• The issue of the health and water levels in the Breera Brook catchment. How does DOW allocate water from this surface water resource and  groundwater taken very close to the Brook.
• Several attendees spoke about their concern for the replant of the northern Gnangara pine plantation and how it might influence their water supply in the future.
• The issue of DOW inspectors or auditors visiting properties either by appointment or unannounced was discussed. Possible biosecurity issues may arise. GWG to communicate with DOW re a code of behaviour etc.
• The issue of  reduced and even ceased water supply from bores was raised. GWG could sponsor an information pamphlet eg “The Health of Your Bore”  In many cases standard cleansing and maintenance of bores can result in much improved performance. GWG to investigate the issue and provide information of local specialists who can perform this work.
• The issue of transparency and public trust in the DOW to effectively monitor use of the water resource by the various levels of licensees and farmers (via their natural rights to extract). GWG still needs to pursue this issue to ensure community understanding and trust “in the system”

Meeting closed at 12.10pm

Landholder Workshop
SURFACE WATER HEALTH and SUSTAINABILITY
CHALLENGES FACING AGRICULTURE and WETLANDS ECOLOGY

DATE & TIME
Thursday 18 June 2015. 09:00 – 14:00

LOCATION
Granville Meeting Room, Gingin W.A.

OBJECTIVES
• To identify priorities to meet and manage the challenges of increased demand and threats to local supply of water in a drying climate.
• To hear from local farmers, of their experience, their insight and advice for the future of agriculture in our unique Gingin surface water catchment
• In seeking to achieve the primary objective the workshop recognised that both agriculture and the natural surface water ecosystem(s) are mutually inclusive and currently suffering the long term effect of reduced rainfall and natural recharge in adrying climate.

PARTICIPANTS & ATTENDANCE
Twenty three names signed the official attendance register.
From a list of forty invitees, representing the full range of land use and significant features within the catchment area, sixteen attended the workshop. Amongst those were members of the GWG committee.
Participants were local famers, graziers and horticulturists who’s land is located on natural water ways within the Gingin regional water catchment area. Of the balance of participants, Gingin Shire council was represented, as was NACC, Perth NRM and DAFWA.

The workshop (less map on page2 ) is available for download.

The map on page 2 is 4 MB also available for download.

Community Waterway Monitoring Project Quarterly Report March 2015

The third sampling run occurred on the 17 February, 2015, building on data recorded in December and October 2014. Collected data assists the Gingin Water Group Inc. (GWG) to better understand the ecology and health of the Gingin Brook and tributaries. The sampling was undertaken by Lorraine Prentis (GWG) and Rodger Walker (NACC) and a local resident volunteer Barry Callen on an overcast summer’s day with high humidity. 14 sites were sampled along Gingin Brook (2 sites at GG5), three sites at Lennard Brook, and 1 each at Wowra, Quinn and Mungala.

Monitoring comprises water quality data based on basic physical-chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature and ORP) and not nutrient, metals or biological analysis. Observations on the general health and assemblage of surrounding vegetation is noted along with any observed disturbance within the area. Measuring these parameters can provide a foundation on which to form a more rigorous monitoring regime in the future.

Monitoring comprises water quality data based on basic physical-chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature and ORP) and not nutrient, metals or biological analysis. Observations on the general health and assemblage of surrounding vegetation is noted along with any observed disturbance within the area. Measuring these parameters can provide a foundation on which to form a more rigorous monitoring regime in the future.

Gingin Water Group Inc AGM October 20th 2014 Chairmans Reports

It gives me great pleasure to deliver my third annual report as chairman of GWG Inc.
Firstly may I welcome you all here with special mention to some special attendees.
Our State MP Shane Love.
Our DOW regional manager Don Cummins and he has brought 3 important departmental officers with him well known to us:

• Susan Worley
• Moe Tiong
• Lidia Boniecka..surface water assessment engineer

NACC has sent from Geraldton one of their biodiversity and climate change specialists Violetta Pristel , and from Jurien Bay their Landcare field officer specialising in coastal and wetland ecologies , Rodger Walker.

Welcome to you all , the community has come to hear your wisdom , not mine.
Your GWG has been silently busy all year forming relationships across the full spectrum of stakeholders who participate in the water cycle as it relates to the greater Gingin region.

Some of these interactions  required input and responses to reports , evaluations and policy statements as they were prepared and issued by various bodies.
GWG did this on behalf of the Gingin community.
Without the GWG the community would not have made a submission to the Gingin  Groundwater Allocation Plan. I am sure our inputs made a real difference to this plan.
Without GWG Image Resources would not have been able to connect with the community as well as it did in the preparation the Public Environmental Review documents of its intended Boonoonarring Sand mining venture. GWG won important considerations of neighbouring wetlands and woodland ecologies.

Without GWG the community would not have submitted a response to this PER  to the EPA.

The State Governments intended Water Law Reform agenda was released  to the community as a discussion paper for comment.
GWG made a comprehensive submission reflecting the likely local impacts of the law changes to our local landholders and water users.
GWG has participated in several forums to keep abreast of the gas and oil industry activity at Red Gully.

GWG hosted a successful forum allowing NACC to gain local input into their attempt to address the effects of climate change and develop strategies to help their constituents deal with the effects into the future.

GWG has consulted closely with the DOW in an attempt to understand the reduced surface water flows across our region. Our persistence in pointing out the local concerns and observations has led to Lidia’s research across the entire Brook system , and her ultimate presence here tonight. GWG thanks the DOW for this  particular effort.

The full committee attended the August meeting to discuss with our special guest John Shannon CEO of Vegies WA , the roles of GWG and develop trust and a positive relationship with the horticultural industry , the main water user in our region. The meeting was productive and successful.

I would like to thank Jacki Shervington and Northern Valley News for printing our articles whenever received. These are being used instead of newsletters as they reach a much wider audience than our current data base.

Over the last year we have written 6 articles , all between 600-900words , some with a picture.
September ,October and November of 2013 carried a comprehensive 3 part series to explain the recently released Gingin Groundwater Allocation Plan (for Public comment)

In April 2014 “Gingin Brook a system under threat” discussed the Evaluation statement  of the Gingin surface water allocation plan released by the DOW.
Uniquely the Gingin region is covered by 3 different water allocation plans . Each contains a mandatory requirement for regular evaluation and release of such statements. The local community will achieve the most benefit from this evaluation process if it has an active ongoing representation in this process. GWG  is in a position to do this.

The August 2014 article introduced the concept of the greater Brook system being part of an important regional biodiversity feature and the October article advertised this forum and discussed the need for a Community Waterway Monitoring project.

I hope that this year of activity has not gone unnoticed in the local community and will be reflected in a larger and more active membership.
NACC has certainly noticed the growth of GWG over the last three years and as such offered to send me to Melbourne  last month to attend the National Landcare conference which celebrated its 25th anniversary.

I thank NACC for that commitment. It was a $2000 subsidy which I accepted on behalf of the  Gingin community. I intend to repay in kind.
The conference was most impressive and my eyes were really opened to the extent  and importance of Landcare activity throughout Australia.
Gingin LCDC and Gingin Brook Preservation Group , both now long dismantled, were once very active  and carried out excellent work. A major report on the health of the Gingin Brook system was completed  locally in 2002 . It made many recommendations most of which need re-evaluation and action.
The conference made it obvious to me that Landcare had come a long way past being just a green movement.

It now engages the fullest possible spectrum from producers to consumers.

I observed very large projects to micro ones. In many cases the most successful farmers in a region were the drivers. They realised that to increase the quality of the natural environment around them was to increase the viability of their farms and make them more money over the longer term.
Anyone watching  ABCs Landline must realise the movement of consumers in driving  producers to encompass Landcare principals not just on their farms , but indeed across regions.

Gingin’s producers are in a unique position to join across the region which is captured between the scarp and the ocean  with significant water aquifers and recharge bushland to the north and south intersected  by our complex freshwater  system of brooks,  streams and the southern Moore river.
Gingin Water Group is not the group to realise that commercial opportunity but it can be guided to help monitor the health of that system, communicate its details to the wider community and continue relationships with our NRM agencies to deliver Landcare outcomes as identified by landholders.
To this end GWG has already initiated the process.

We have a grant before the Bendigo bank to assist us to deliver the Community Wetland Monitoring project.

WE have not heard the outcome of  such at this time . Please all Bendigo Bank customers , a word in the managers ear this week might not go astray!
WE also made an application for a grant under the Clth Ministers 25th Anniversary Landcare Grant offer. The application closed yesterday , and was lodged on Saturday.We had only 11 days to prepare what I consider was a good application within fairly  restricted guidelines. The grant is called “Reconnecting the  Gingin Community to Landcare using weed control and Education”. If approved it  would see the eradication of 10 Ha of invasive weeds (particularly Arum Lilly) along the Gingin Brook bordering the 3 bridges  site and the school brook frontage. It would develop a program to re engage the school children and teachers in Landcare work using their own backyard to the Brook and involve some revegetation.

As a committee , we bit the bullet  at short notice and hope the community  will come on board to commence a more meaningful commitment to Landcare to complement the work already done to understand the sustainable use of water in our region.

Finally I want to sincerely thank the GWG committee and the wider group of experts of various types ,from a variety of organisations, who have helped me to serve you over the past year.

WE must now elect office bearers and a committee for the coming year.

Out of general interest , with a show of hands , who amongst us supports the continuation of GWG

I certainly do not covet the chair ,  nor do I stand to gain in any material way from it , just the reverse. But I am happy to continue if needed , as are the bulk of the existing committee. John Braid wishes to step aside , but remains  supportive and on the end of the phone. Similarly Jill Wilson is overcommitted but is entitled to the  exofficcio seat from NACC. Lorraine Wyse has offered to rejoin the committee. She has  poured the slab of her new home at Wowra Brook. She is an environmental research officer and so has the skills we need for a wetland monitoring project. She also has a bit of time. I support her re inclusion.

I  suggest you reappoint the committee en masse with the addition of any other volunteers.
I now stand aside and ask for nominations for the appointment of chair to the GWG Inc.

I thank you for your attention and remind you that a $10 family membership is now payable. Terry will take it tonight or you can internet transfer it to our Bendigo account. Details on the Membership application form..I have copies..or details on the website.

David Rickson  Hon Chairman
October 2014

Submission to Public Environmental Review Of Image Resources Boonanarring Mineral Sands Mine February 7th 2014

The comment contained in this document relates only to groundwater aspects associated with the Boonanarring Mining Project of Image Resources (IR) and more specifically the information contained in the following documents that forms part of the PER submission to the EPA:

• H3 Hydrogeological Assessment dated 9 August 2013 by URS
• Boonanarring Project – Addendum to H3 dated 4 November 2013 by URS

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• The mine should try not to use any of the inflow waters into the open pits from the superficial aquifer on the mine or during processing.  All of this water needs to be returned to the superficial aquifer through artificial recharge or as direct release into the environment.  This should be the fundamental approach of the mine as the sensitivity of the environment and local population mainly relates to impacts on the superficial aquifer.
• The assumption that there is no connection between the Mirrabooka- and Superficial aquifers as it relates to potential impacts on wetlands should not be taken as fact.  Some leakage/interaction between these aquifers should be assumed.
• The difficulty in successful artificial recharge should not be underestimated and a loss of at least 30-50% should be assumed in the water and environmental balance for the mine as it relates to the superficial aquifer.  Over time monitoring might indicate a more accurate recharge success rate or water loss percentage.
• Groundwater monitoring data should be made freely available to the public, GWG and/or local landowners.

Summary of flow rates of Gingin Brook and Lennard Brook to February 5th 2014

This information is taken from the Gingin Surface Water Allocation Plan Evaluation Statement 2011-2012  which considers flow data to November 2012.
I have used the latest telemetry readings from the WIR (Water information reporting) source of DOW.
The three relevant telemetry sites are:

• Bookine Bookine   # 617003
• Gingin Brooke (town site)  # 617058
• Molecap (Lennards Brook)   # 617165

ML=mega litre
gL= giga litre          1gL = 1000ML

Submission to SECURING WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S WATER FUTURE January 15th 2014

GWG is in general agreement with the key features of the water reform paper as outlined in figure 2 of the document.

The policy drivers are indeed as indicated. The Gingin region is already experiencing the effects of a drying climate and would appear to be headed for the “most severe up to 20 per cent by 2030 …” scenario described by the CSIRO. GWG would urge any law reform designed to guarantee sustainable use of water be capable of   calculating, monitoring and adjusting water use on a LOCAL level based on accurate and transparent scientific evidence, biased to the precautionary principle.

Population growth and the expanding economy is occurring in our region, but more importantly these factors are occurring to an even greater extent on our immediate doorstep (the metropolitan area) which greatly exacerbates our water resource problem and makes it more important that water law reform can serve to manage our local issues for generations into the future.

New and emerging management challenges are not only occurring in the Pilbara. Industrialisation in the Gingin region is destined to bring the major de-watering process of major mineral sands extraction as well as the inevitable use of hydraulic fracturing if shale gas extraction is ever to become economically viable at Red Gully. Add a large regional landfill operation and maturing forestry plantations to the local Gingin situation and it is evident that any water law reform needs to involve a statutory mix of management agencies far broader than just the Department of Water.

Implicit in the combination of features summarised in figure 2 is that there will be sufficient political and legal obligation to adequately fund the accurate and ongoing assessment of the environmental and social water requirement, and that the allocation of that requirement, will be built into the proposed statutory water allocation limits and plans at our local level.

Submission to GINGIN GROUNDWATER ALLOCATION PLAN December 5th 2013

Gingin Water Group Inc. commends the Gingin Groundwater Allocation Plan-for Public Comment and appreciates the efforts of DoW in its collaboration with the Gingin community in the preparation of the Plan.

This submission makes several suggestions which GWG considers will help to improve the community’s faith in the processes described in the Allocation Plan without compromising the need for privacy.

The recommendations centre on;

• Additional monitoring bores to develop a greater understanding of the groundwater resource dynamics
• Identification of significant GDEs
• An elevated priority to social and ecological water requirements
• A transparent and robust reporting system that keeps the community fully informed of water resource issues in the region.

GWG looks forward to seeing timely and regular information on implementation of the Plan being made available to the local community through newsletters, local forums and evaluation statements.

Chairmans report for AGM – Inaugural AGM March 6th 2013

This is the inaugural AGM of Gingin Water Group Inc. Incorporation law requires that the first AGM must be held within 18 months of the date of incorporation , and in future within 4 months of the end of the financial year.The 2nd AGM may be in October this year.

Gingin Water Group Inc arose from a steering committee set up after a public meeting attended by 100 in October 2010. The decision to incorporate was held after a public meeting received the interim committee report in June 2011.

The Management Committee is as dedicated and qualified as a community could expect. It has representatives from the Gingin Shire , NACC, MCC and Perth NRM. These people are local and respected farmers. The other committee members are all local farmers , scattered across the full greater Gingin region. Several have professional qualifications and work in consultant capacities . As a group they bring to Gingin Water Group Inc a breadth of qualification , experience and advice that would be rarely seen in a local country organisation. Their interest in the cause of the sustainable use of water in our region is passionate. However their continued involvement cannot be expected without an equivalent community desire to build and support an organisation to represent the causes as expressed in the Constitution and articulated by the members as being important.

Minutes of AGM and Public Forum

1. AGM Official Tasks. 

David Rickson discussed committee business for 2011/12:
– the Group was incorporated following inaugural public meeting in mid 2011;
– Group’s focus has been to develop working relationships with Department of Water (DoW), NACC, MRCC and other relevant agencies;

1. Group has addressed regional issues as they have arisen, significantly requesting that the Minister for the Environment and DoW release the Draft Gingin Ground Water Allocation Report for public comment, that was written over two years ago;
2. Group had a grant (administered through NACC) to respond to the allocation report however funds will be redirected as the report has not been issued.  Funds contributed to establishing the internet site;
3. Group’s 2012/13 focus will be to increase membership, with annual fee of $10 per household;
4.  Treasury Report passed; and

– Committee positions elected for 2012/13 David Rickson – Chairman, Terence Groeke -Vice Chairman, Secretary not filled, Treasurer – Sally Calder, Committee members – George Gifford, Adriaan du Toit, Lorraine Wyse, Kevin House, Peter Ansell,  Reg Beale, Sandy Pate, Jill Wilson.

Notes on GWG Water Issues Bus Tour

Prepared by John Braid, consultant to the Gingin Water Group Inc (GWG) in collaboration with GWG President David Rickson, and GWG committee.

This report is presented to the Shire of Gingin as acknowledgement of the support provided by the Shire to the GWG and in particular the provision of the Community Bus for the water issues bus tour on the 18th April 2013.

Background to the GWG Water Issues Bus Tour

The bus tour to get first hand information on water resource in the Gingin area arose out of discussions during the public forum following to the GWGs inaugural AGM in March 2013.

The forum was informed of a variety of opinions from local landholders, business operators and hydrogeologists. However, as the timing of the meeting was during the caretaker period of WA Government, Agency representatives were unable to attend. Their absence left many questions unanswered. The State Agency people contacted recognised the problems created by their absence at the forum and greatly appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the tour.

The one hundred people who attended the forum sent a strong message that sustainable water resource allocation/use is a high priority for the Gingin community.

REVISED OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (MOORE RIVER SOUTH)

The Gingin Water Group Inc. (GWG) seeks to make a submission to the Gingin Shire in response to the revised Outline Development Plan (ODP) as presented by Cardno for the Moore River Company (MRC)

GWG considers it inappropriate for it to comment on the general nature and background of the Plan or the specific planning details which relate to matters other than water.

GWG Inc. was set up with a mandate to gain an understanding, on behalf of the community in the greater Gingin region , of  the sustainability of the current and  future use of the water resource available to it and make comment on proposals in the  area which may impact on that resource.

Water resource details of this area are reported in two publications of the Department of Water (DoW) :

1. Gingin Surface Water Allocation Plan (April 2011)
2. Gingin Groundwater Allocation Plan (proposed  2012)

The conclusions of the Surface Water Plan were disturbing. Surface water allocations in all areas were either  in excess of  supply or did not exist at all due to the current lack of supply in these areas. This contrasts to the historical perspective and reflects the predicted further decline of this resource  due to climate change.
The very latest CSIRO report for the Gingin area is that this effect will be at the worse end of the modelled spectrum.

WETLANDS UNDER THREAT

March 2012
Gingin Brook and its wetlands are under threat from reduced rainfall and increased water extraction. The Gingin groundwater catchment is particularly unique in that it contains the freshwater Gingin Brook and a complex association of wetlands.

Currently Department of Water is preparing a groundwater allocation plan and an important issue in this planning is the adequate provision for groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDE).

David Rickson, Chairman of the Gingin Water Group, recently met with Department of Water to discuss this issue and has reservations about the process. “Department of Water has attempted to include GDEs in the planning but have restricted investigation to public land” said Mr Rickson “this is limiting their ability to effectively model impacts on GDEs and it is a concern of the Gingin Water Group the many wetlands on private land will be negatively impacted because they have been ignored.”

REPORT OF THE INTERIM COMMITTEE OF THE GINGIN WATER GROUP
TO THE GINGIN COMMUNITY

18 June  2011
On 27 October 2010 a public meeting held in the Granville Centre at Gingin was attended by 96 interested persons and a wide range of invited experts to discuss concerns about the pattern of water use in the district and the ultimate sustainability of  the water supply in the wider Gingin area in the light of a drying climate and changing agriculture.

The outcome of this meeting  was a mandate to form an interim committee to investigate the matters raised and report back to the community its findings and recommendations.

The committee was formed from volunteers and by personal approach in an effort to gather an objective, broadly based and interested group which would be willing to lend their expertise and time to achieve an outcome in a learned and non-confrontational manner.

As chairman I thank all the members for their efforts in achieving this outcome.