Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan calls for Southern Forests Irrigation Scheme model probe

Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan has announced her party will seek an independent review of the Southern Forests Irrigation Scheme’s climate and catchment modelling if re-elected. The proposed $80 million plan would improve water storage and distribution by constructing a new dam, pipeline and infrastructure to allow water to be traded between farms in and near Manjimup. Ms MacTiernan said it became clear there were concerns around the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s modelling after meeting with the Manjimup Water Security Group. She said the review would be commissioned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The review would take place between March and April, making it available for the WA Environmental Protection Authority to consider as part of their assessment. The Minister said the modelling was in accordance with national guidelines and found “fit-for-purpose” after being independently peer-reviewed but there were still questions surrounding it. “DPIRD have revisited the economics of the scheme using a dry 2050 scenario and has advised there would still be a positive benefit cost ratio,” she said. “Some concerns have been raised to the veracity of the DWER catchment modelling, particularly the influence of groundwater decline on runoff projections. “Given the level of community interest in the proposed scheme and our desire to ensure decisions are based on the best available data, we have committed to undertaking a further independent review of the modelling, its assumptions and conclusions.” MWSG chair John Kilrain said he was pleased with the decision but wanted the Government to be transparent about the process. “I think it’s fantastic that the Minister has finally agreed that we need to have a review of the modelling,” he said. “It’s extremely important now she comes out and further expands on that and allows for some input into the terms of reference for the review. “I think she needs to stop the EPA process until that’s completed because I can’t see the point in the EPA working on modelling that’s potentially flawed. “And I think it needs to be open and transparent and we need to know that the results of that review will certainly be made public. DPIRD has approached the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation to conduct the work.