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An emeritus professor from the University of WA will head up an expert panel investigating the feasibility of transporting water from the Kimberley region to Perth. Premier Geoff Gallop said he was pleased to announce that Professor Reg Appleyard would chair the independent four-member panel. "Professor Appleyard has a distinguished career in management and research and has held many important national and international positions," Dr Gallop said. "I have no doubt he has the right credentials to lead an expert team on a crucial study for WA's future." |
The other three panel members joining Professor Appleyard will be the chief of CSIRO's Petroleum Resource Division Beverly Ronalds; Griffith University emeritus professor and recently appointed Australian Conservation Foundation head Ian Lowe; and the recently retired chief executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Don Blackmore. The announcement follows last month's decision by the Gallop Government to proceed with a major study into whether transporting water from the Kimberley region is a viable option. The Premier said the independent study would focus on a number of water access options that have been provided to the State Government for assessment. |
"Under the process, interested parties will have the opportunity to have their water supply alternatives independently evaluated," he said. "Solving our problems with a secure long-term supply of water is crucial to the future of our State." Dr Gallop also wrote to the Prime Minister last month to gauge the level of Commonwealth support for the project, should it prove feasible. "I am extremely disappointed that I have yet to receive a reply from the Prime Minister on what is an important issue for WA and the nation," Dr Gallop said. |