Mr ADAMSON - 1994-10-12
I understand PAWA proposes some developments in relation to the Darwin water supply. This includes the possibility of re-establishing Manton Dam as a source for the town
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water supply. Will the minister provide details of government plans for the further and future development of Manton Dam?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, following its completion in 1942, Manton Dam was used for some 30 years until 1972 as the water supply for Darwin. Since then, it has acted as a backup supply to the main Darwin River Dam supply. In 1988, the government agreed to allow recreational use of Manton Dam. In fact, I believe it was an initiative developed by the then Minister for Tourism to provide a recreational venue at Manton Dam. Of course, that has proved very successful.
The Power and Water Authority has now sought government approval to investigate a proposal to expand Manton Dam for future water supply use, bearing in mind the continuing growth and development in the Darwin region and the need to plan for an expansion of our water supplies. The proposed move would treble the surface area of the existing dam as it is proposed to raise the dam wall by 7 m. A 3 km open gravity channel would be cut through the ridge connecting Manton Dam and the main Darwin River.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: It is a shame that the Leader of the Opposition does not have the interests of Territorians and the future development of the Territory sufficiently at heart to pay a little attention to what I am saying. No doubt, given his lack of attention, the opposition will be asking Questions in the near future about this development.
The project would increase the capacity of Darwin River Dam by some 33%, providing an extra 14 000 ML. If approved, the development would cost an estimated $4.7m and would allow the government to defer the need to construct the proposed $200m Marrakai Dam by some 20 years. The proposal would be coupled with the development of the Howard East bore field at a combined cost of some $25m to $30m, and the combined effect of those measures would provide an additional 30 000 ML for an extra 75 000 people in Darwin. Thus, the proposal would have a significant impact on the capacity of the Power and Water Authority to supply water to a very much larger Darwin than we know today.
Investigations will be undertaken and these will include consideration of continued recreational use. In fact, a community-based group will be established to investigate and make recommendations to government on appropriate recreational use and catchment management practices. That committee should be established in the not-too-distant future. Recreational use of Manton Dam, as we know it today, has been successful. I refer to water-based activities, including fishing as a result of the introduction of barramundi fingerlings by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries in recent years, and the very pleasant picnic facilities that are provided there. This would provide scope for those type of activities into the future. Those matters will be considered and reported on in due course by the community-based group.
Of course, the development would require extensive environmental assessment. That would be in keeping with the excellent legislation that we have in that regard in the Northern Territory. In respect of the further development of the proposal, I look forward to being able to report to members on further investigations into this concept, the expansion of Darwin's
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water supply and the ability for us to provide adequately for an expanding and developing Northern Territory.
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water supply. Will the minister provide details of government plans for the further and future development of Manton Dam?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, following its completion in 1942, Manton Dam was used for some 30 years until 1972 as the water supply for Darwin. Since then, it has acted as a backup supply to the main Darwin River Dam supply. In 1988, the government agreed to allow recreational use of Manton Dam. In fact, I believe it was an initiative developed by the then Minister for Tourism to provide a recreational venue at Manton Dam. Of course, that has proved very successful.
The Power and Water Authority has now sought government approval to investigate a proposal to expand Manton Dam for future water supply use, bearing in mind the continuing growth and development in the Darwin region and the need to plan for an expansion of our water supplies. The proposed move would treble the surface area of the existing dam as it is proposed to raise the dam wall by 7 m. A 3 km open gravity channel would be cut through the ridge connecting Manton Dam and the main Darwin River.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: It is a shame that the Leader of the Opposition does not have the interests of Territorians and the future development of the Territory sufficiently at heart to pay a little attention to what I am saying. No doubt, given his lack of attention, the opposition will be asking Questions in the near future about this development.
The project would increase the capacity of Darwin River Dam by some 33%, providing an extra 14 000 ML. If approved, the development would cost an estimated $4.7m and would allow the government to defer the need to construct the proposed $200m Marrakai Dam by some 20 years. The proposal would be coupled with the development of the Howard East bore field at a combined cost of some $25m to $30m, and the combined effect of those measures would provide an additional 30 000 ML for an extra 75 000 people in Darwin. Thus, the proposal would have a significant impact on the capacity of the Power and Water Authority to supply water to a very much larger Darwin than we know today.
Investigations will be undertaken and these will include consideration of continued recreational use. In fact, a community-based group will be established to investigate and make recommendations to government on appropriate recreational use and catchment management practices. That committee should be established in the not-too-distant future. Recreational use of Manton Dam, as we know it today, has been successful. I refer to water-based activities, including fishing as a result of the introduction of barramundi fingerlings by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries in recent years, and the very pleasant picnic facilities that are provided there. This would provide scope for those type of activities into the future. Those matters will be considered and reported on in due course by the community-based group.
Of course, the development would require extensive environmental assessment. That would be in keeping with the excellent legislation that we have in that regard in the Northern Territory. In respect of the further development of the proposal, I look forward to being able to report to members on further investigations into this concept, the expansion of Darwin's
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water supply and the ability for us to provide adequately for an expanding and developing Northern Territory.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016