News and events
Carpet shark found in seawater intake station at Southern Seawater Desalination Plant
Media Release
15 November 2011
The Water Corporation has confirmed that a wobbegong (carpet) shark has been found in the seawater intake station at the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant during scheduled maintenance work.
The 22 metre deep station is at the beach end of a 500 metre long, two metre diameter pipeline that brings seawater slowly into the plant from the ocean.
Water Corporation spokeswoman Clare Lugar said the shark had most likely entered the station via the pipeline during the plant's construction while a grated screen was not in place.
"The shark is still alive and we are now attempting to catch it using a net and remove it from the station," she said.
"It is not possible for the shark to enter the main area of the desalination plant, and at no time has water quality been compromised."
Ms Lugar said the shark may have escaped early checks of the system as it was somewhere in the pipeline that could not be visually checked for safety reasons.
"It would not be possible for a similar shark to enter the station again via the pipe as the screen would now prevent this."
Media enquiries
Contact: Media team
(08) 9420 2555
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| Access to intake station is very restricted and requires specialised training. | This is 22 metres deep and filled with seawater. It is now enclosed with a lid that is only opened for operational reasons. |
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Water Corporation John Tonkin Centre site redevelopment
Why does the Water Corporation need a new building?
The John Tonkin Water Centre (JTWC) in Leederville is the central administration hub of a business that delivers water, sewerage and drainage services to the public of Western Australia.
The current JTWC was completed in 1985 and can comfortably accommodate 1200 people. However, the significant growth in our State’s need for water since 1981 has meant that the current building now houses over 1400 people. In addition, some 250 people are housed in numerous buildings leased in and around Leederville.
This is resulting in numerous inefficiencies in how we manage our people and deliver our services. In order to improve our efficiency, in 2008 a decision was made to examine the potential for extending the existing JTWC to accommodate up to 550 additional staff.
How will this new accommodation be funded?
It was decided that in order to minimize the cost to the State Government and our customers, the Water Corporation would release underutilized land along our Newcastle St frontage. This land would be made available to the developer on a long term lease, and in turn the developer would fund the Water Corporation’s new building.
What will the new buildings look like?
In October 2010, a development application consisting of a 9,600m2 extension to the existing JTWC building was lodged with the City of Vincent. This application also included a separate 80,000m2 commercial office development with 240 residential units located along the Newcastle Street frontage. This development would be built and maintained by a private developer. You can see artists impressions of the new development on the attached links.
The application went through an extensive consultation process that included comments from the public and various government agencies. The application was considered at the 11 October 2010 meeting of the COV Council, where it was determined that the application should be approved, subject to conditions.
What happens from here?
The Water Corporation now plans to select a developer though a tender process. It is expected that successful developer will be appointed in early 2012 and construction of the JTWC extension would commence as soon as possible.
The remaining private commercial and residential development would probably be staged, commencing in 2013 and taking at least 5 years to complete.
