FOR hundreds of thousands of years, indigenous Aboriginal people have been the custodians of Minningup Pool, a sacred resting place of the Waugal, the hairy-faced snake.
The pool plays an important role in Aboriginal culture, happy and sorrowful celebrations, births, deaths, health and wellbeing.
In last week’s paper, Phil Ugle was concerned that plans to redevelop Minningup Pool into a busy tourist hub are not in the best interests of the traditional owners, the public or the environment, taking away the sacred site from the black fella - white fellas share Phil’s concerns.
There are many examples of the stance taken by traditional owners to protect WA’s sacred sites and things of importance, meaning and dreamtime.
From day one this concept/development has been all about tourism, WA Government driven and a fait accompli.
There has been scant respect or recognition shown  of the pool’s most important feature and asset – the water body.
At this time, the only water feeding Minningup Pool is a small amount of environmental water from Harris Dam. The East branch has dried to pools, the Bingham water has long gone and Lake Kepwari has been allowed to rob Minningup of water. 
When we consider future rainfall will reduce from 30 to 40 percent, is it a very good idea to spend $10 million with less water available to play in?
Then there is the yearly winter river flush to contend with, a Federal and State Government supported environmental commitment and action.
The recently completed and upgraded Venn Street and Roberts Rock river stops will ensure the 78 year committed environmental river flush is met. This process will reduce by about a third the water level in Minningup Pool during winter rainfall, May to October, by past experience.
There is bound to be some impact on and with tourism. These matters were made known and should have been dealt with by now.
The Collie rivers are dying and drying, and despite my best efforts I have not been able to get any support from Jodie Hanns MLA in getting the Minister for Water to Collie to look, learn, commit and listen to Phil Ugle and people like him.
When visitors to our town complain and write to the West Australian about the dreadful state of the Collie River in town, stating they would not put a toe in the water, it is time to heed and to act.
Some support and action from our local member of the WA Parliament would help.
- Ed Riley,  Walter Drive.