Don't Dam the Donnelly in Glenoran | Community organisation

Don't Dam the Donnelly

Locality: Glenoran

Address: Graphite Road Glenoran, WA, Australia

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25.01.2022 Today's headline and follow-up article in the Manjimup Bridgetown Times, reporting on the briefing session at Manjimup Shire Council last Thursday.

23.01.2022 A great summary from one of our members, John Kilrain about the inequity of the SFIS. Have a read, then share it with someone who doesn't already know about the scheme.

23.01.2022 We have been asked from time to time why the name of this page has not been changed from Don't Dam the Donnelly. After all, we're told, the "current" proposal no longer has a "dam" (weir, call it what you will) on the Donnelly. However the name remains as a reminder. The SFIS and their representatives insist that there is NO plan to dam the Donnelly. But remember, they were insisting that when a concrete dam on the Donnelly was part of their proposal. Thus, we keep the name to remind ourselves, and to remind them, that their strange and creative relationship with the truth convinces nobody. So, every time you see or hear the words "Don't Dam the Donnelly", ask yourself, what is the current lie being promulgated in support of the SFIS?

23.01.2022 I wrote to the Minister with concerns about the clearing and testing for the dam site. His response does not fill me with joy. Keep an eye on those conditions a...s this senseless scheme should not cause damage. He states the EPA assessment will be later this year, the EPA website still says July. Watch this space. Don't Dam the Donnelly Save our Donnelly River

21.01.2022 In their ad in the Manj-Bridgetown Times today, the SFIS says it's still looking for new subscribers. And this is despite recent advice from DWER indicating that there is not even enough water to service current subscribers. In terms of selling something you don't have, the SFIS is on a par with those entrepreneurial souls who have in the past tried to sell the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

20.01.2022 Jeremy Bower, CEO of the SFIS has stated numerous times that the dam footprint (160 hectares) has already been cleared. In this Google Maps (several years old) ...image, you can clearly see the areas which have been logged and are now regrowth, as opposed to the untouched forest along the riparian zone of Record Brook. This week, we hiked only 100m into the inundation footprint of the proposed dam and found dozens of Karri up to 1.5m across, the largest Sheoak I have ever seen, hundreds of habitat branches and one monster Karri over 7m around at chest height (The Stewart Tree is approx 7.5m) Using the overhead map and calculating the regrowth area inside the proposed dam footprint, nearly half of the 160 hectare dam footprint is old growth forest. If this dam gets built, thousands of native animals will die as a result, including several critical, vulnerable or endangered species. This kind of forest is protected from logging. Why isn't it protected from this dam?

19.01.2022 Just in case you missed it.

19.01.2022 Another excellent published summary of Kim Taylor's analysis of the flaws of the Southern Forest Irrigation Scheme from the Australasian Farmers and Dealers Journal. https://afdj.com.au/southern-forest-irrigation-scheme-in-w/

17.01.2022 This graph was provided by senior staff from DWER and it makes a lie of the proposed SFIS claim of 95% reliability. This looks like a 30% reliability scheme. If you were signed up to the scheme on the basis of 95% reliability then you had better check the fine print of the contract.

15.01.2022 Cracking job on the graphics Jeremy

11.01.2022 The Manjimup Water Security Group has continued to challenge DWER's modelling for the Southern Forest Irrigation Scheme. In July this year, DWER released data which demonstrated that in three of the last four years, there was insufficient inflow to the Donnelly River and Record Brook to supply the SFIS (see post from Sept 8). Members of the MWSG pointed out that this is compelling evidence that the initial modelling was fatally flawed, and asked DWER to provide data to show t...hat the scheme is viable. DWER agreed to reply within two weeks. Three months later, DWER responded with an argument that the carry-over buffer remaining in the dam after the end of the summer irrigation season would enable the use of 9.3 gigalitres by the scheme for three of the four years from 2016 to 2019. They seem to be willing to bet $60 million of taxpayers money on the hope that, in a drying climate, every fourth year will be a flood. MWSG suggested that the chances of a flood every four years could be determined by examination of longer term data. Below is the information supplied by DWER showing what would have happened if this scheme was in place from 2011. Have a close look at the figures in the left and right hand columns, showing the years when the dam would have been dry. Then look at the End of year winter storage. How many years do you see enough water to permit supply of 9.3Gl during the irrigation season? Despite this, SFIC has not amended its estimate of 95% water reliability. This scheme is unsustainable, an environmental disaster and an economic absurdity.

07.01.2022 It’s not an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ stance we’re taking - its the long term environment impact that the SFIS seems to overlook. Keep the water in the river, don’t pump it out through an overpriced water scheme #notanothermurraydarling #scam #southernforestsirrigationscheme #water #noplanetb #saveourrivers

06.01.2022 A short clip from last night's news. A few inaccuracies, but the general gist is there. Comments from Paul Omodei omit any acknowledgement that he has a declared financial interest in the SFIS, and that he is expressing a personal opinion rather than a Shire position on the SFIS. As he is identified here as Shire President, he has a responsibility to make this clear.

06.01.2022 An interesting article published in Farm Weekly on Thursday. https://www.farmweekly.com.au//doubts-over-donnelly-water/

06.01.2022 Tune in to Channel 7 at 6.00pm tonight for an update on the Southern Forest Irrigation Scheme. In this the piece members of the Manjimup Water Security Group challenge the WA Government to justify their ongoing support for this environmental and economic travesty. Spread the word to others who may be interested, or need to be interested.

06.01.2022 Our friends across at Save Our Donnelly River have created a parliamentary petition, please help them get as many signatures as possible https://www.saveourdonnellyriver.org/how-can-i-help/

02.01.2022 Watch at 14:00 where Minister Mark McGowan is asked about the Southern Forest Irrigation scheme https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=691720188048318&id=460973797298949&_rdr

01.01.2022 Stop the SFIS, it’s just that simple.