The La Grange groundwater subareas are located just south of Broome, within the Kimberley region, approximately 1440 km north of Perth.
Groundwater resources in the plan area
La Grange plan area is divided into two subareas, the La Grange North subarea and the La Grange South subarea. The Broome Sandstone aquifer and the Wallal Sandstone aquifer are in both of these subareas.
The La Grange plan area covers ecologically significant sites that depend on groundwater, including Mandora Marsh, Eighty Mile Beach and Roebuck Plains. To manage these sites we established the Coastal and Mandora management zones.
Water planning in the La Grange area
We have completed an allocation plan for the water resources in the La Grange groundwater areas. The La Grange groundwater allocation plan and Statement of response was released in February 2010 by the Minister for Water.
The plan contains new allocation limits that define water availability for groundwater in the plan area. The plan also includes policies for how we will allocate and manage water resources and sets out how we will monitor, measure and evaluate the objectives of the plan.
The statement of response sets out how we considered the submissions made during the public comment period, in finalising the plan.
Why has the department prepared a water allocation plan?
There is a strong interest in using the La Grange groundwater resources for horticulture and mining development. This is expected to increase in the future.
We undertook planning to ensure that the water needs of the community and the environment are protected while providing users with secure water supplies.
How can I access information on La Grange that the department has produced?
We are committed to making our technical information used in the planning process publicly available.
Please click on the links to access the following documents:
Allocation plan and supporting documents
La Grange groundwater allocation plan
Publish Date: 15/02/2010
La Grange groundwater allocation plan: statement of response
Publish Date: 15/02/2010
Plan Evaluation
Evaluation statement 2010-2011 - La Grange groundwater allocation plan
Publish Date: 30/12/2011
Ecological reports
Wetlands of the northwestern Great Sandy Desert in the La Grange hydrological sub-basin
Publish Date: 05/06/2003
Social and cultural reports
La Grange groundwater allocation: a Kimberley sub-regional allocation plan: overview of stakeholder issues
Publish Date: 20/03/2003
Ngapa Kunangkul : living water : report on the Aboriginal cultural values of groundwater in the La Grange sub –basin.-2nd ed.
Publish Date: 13/12/2002
Further information
For licensing information, please contact the Kimberley Regional office in Kununurra. Phone 08 9166 4100.
For planning information, please contact the Department of Water's Water Allocation Planning branch. Phone 08 6364 7600 or email allocationplanning@water.wa.gov.au