Posted: 11 August 2008
Local company Sunsalt has provided the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) with funding to buy a 12volt Minn Kota electric motor that will allow MDFRC scientists to use boats for research and monitoring in National Parks.
Sunsalt has provided funding to the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre over the last 4 years. The generous cash donations have been put to good use by the Mildura Laboratory, with the purchase of equipment including a portable conductivity meter in 2007, and this year’s acquisition of the electric motor.
The funds are administered through the Murray Darling Association’s Environment Foundation.
The purchase of the electric motor, for use on small punts, has already enabled researchers from MDFRC to use boats in National Park river reaches and wetlands where the use of petrol driven outboards is prohibited. The electric motor, which produces 55lb thrust, is compact and convenient to transport and use, quiet and pollution free.
Wetlands at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, an hour south of Mildura are closely monitored by staff at the MDFRC under The Living Murray Program. With the new Minn Kota motor, boat access to these wetlands is possible such that water quality measurement and fish population surveys can be carried out with greater efficiency
Sunsalt had its beginnings not far from the site where the new motor is being put to work, when, back in 1982 the company commenced production under the name Hattah Salt, harvesting salt from underground saline water at Spectacle Salt Lake a few kilometres west of the Hattah store.
Sunsalt are proud to contribute to the reduction of salt loads to the River Murray floodplain generated by shallow saline groundwater in this region and were awarded the 2004 Engineers Australia National Salinity Award in recognition of their efforts.
For further information please contact Michelle Kavanagh (03) 5051-4059 or 0458 633 727.
Sunsalt motor funding (40 KB)
