The Jurien groundwater area is located between 150 km and 200 km north of Perth and covers about 5 000 km2.
Groundwater resources in the plan area
The Jurien groundwater area, along with the Gingin and Arrowsmith groundwater areas, covers the Northern Perth Basin. The Jurien groundwater area is divided into the Badgingarra, Cervantes, Dinner Hill, Nambung and Watheroo subareas.
The groundwater resources of the Jurien groundwater area are contained in unconfined Superficial and Surficial aquifers, fractured bedrocks and the semi-confined to confined aquifers of Mirrabooka, Leederville - Parmelia, Yarragadee, Cattamarra, Eneabba, Lesueur, and Otorowiri.
Allocation planning in the Jurien groundwater area
We have completed an allocation plan for the groundwater resources in the Jurien groundwater area. The Jurien groundwater allocation plan was released in September 2010. We also released our statement of response to the comments we received on the plan for public comment between September and December 2009.
The Jurien groundwater allocation plan provides the Department of Water’s direction for managing groundwater use in the Jurien groundwater area. The plan promotes good water management, together with a transparent decision-making process. This plan contains:
- allocation limits, which define how much water is available in the Jurien groundwater area
- licensing policies for how we will allocate and manage the groundwater resources
- objectives, strategies and performance indicators for monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of the plan
- implementation and evaluation information, providing actions to be undertaken to implement the plan and the process for reporting on its performance
Why has the department prepared a water allocation plan?
Demand for water from the groundwater areas of the Northern Perth Basin is increasing. Commercial growth in the mining industry, new horticultural projects, and expanding urban development along the coast is leading to competition for good quality fresh water. Planning is needed to provide users with access to water and security, while meeting the needs of the environment in a drying climate.
Planning is needed to ensure that the needs of the community and the environment are protected while providing users with secure water supplies.
How can I access any of the information on the Jurien groundwater area that the department has produced?
We are committed to making our technical information, which was used in the planning process, available to the public on our website. The most recent reports can be seen via the publications area at the top right of this page.
Please click on the links to access the following documents:
Allocation plan and supporting documents
Jurien groundwater allocation plan
Publish Date: 29/09/2010
Statement of response: Arrowsmith and Jurien groundwater allocation plans
Publish Date: 28/09/2010
Jurien groundwater subarea reference sheets : plan companion for the Jurien groundwater area allocation plan
Publish Date: 18/09/2009
Jurien groundwater area allocation plan draft for public comment : frequently asked questions
Publish Date: 18/09/2009
Review of the Jurien and Arrowsmith groundwater allocation limits : supporting information for the Jurien and Arrowsmith groundwater allocation plans
Publish Date: 04/05/2009
Ecological reports
Environmental considerations for groundwater management of the Northern Perth Basin
Publish Date: 01/05/2009<
Hydrological reports (or hydrogeological)
Groundwater investigation program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020)
Publish Date: 07/01/2003
The hydrogeology of groundwater dependent ecosystems in the Northern Perth Basin
Publish Date: 07/01/2003
Hydrogeology of the coastal plain between Cervantes and Leeman, Perth Basin
Publish Date: 01/02/1997
Further information
For licensing information, please contact the Mid-West Gascoyne Regional office in Geraldton. Phone 08 9965 7400
For planning information, please contact the Department of Water's Water Allocation Planning Branch. Phone 08 6364 7600 or email allocation.planning@water.wa.gov.au