Jurien groundwater plan released for comment
Released 18 Sep 2009
The plan establishes the allocation and management approach for vital groundwater resources across two regional shires in the Mid West Gascoyne.
It confirms how the department licenses, allocates and manages the groundwater resources of the Jurien groundwater area which includes the northern half of the shire of Dandaragan and part of the shire of Moora.
The new draft plan replaces Managing the water resources of the Jurien groundwater area WA – Interim sub-regional allocation strategy which was published in 2002.
The Department of Water's Regional Manager, Mid West Gascoyne, Greg Davis said the department had reviewed the allocation limits and current information on groundwater-dependent ecosystems across the plan area.
"This new plan promotes good water management, together with a transparent decision-making process and outlines the region's water security," Mr Davis said.
"It sets out the available groundwater resources for commercial activities and outlines the policies for how the department manages groundwater abstraction and use in the Jurien groundwater area."
"There is still water available throughout the Jurien groundwater area and water is reserved across different aquifers to ensure water is available for local communities in the future.
"Promotion of efficient use of available resources with a view to optimising regional growth is also taken into account."
Mr Davis said the plan considered:
- existing hydrogeological information
- water requirements for current and future needs in the Mid West region
- community concerns collected as part of the groundwater vision exercisecarried out in 2007.
The department invites all interested parties to one of the following information sessions to be held about the draft plan:
- Badgingarra – Community Recreation Centre– 12 October 2009, 5:00–6:30 pm
- Dandaragan – Blue Room Community Recreation Centre – 13 October 2009, 5:00–6:30 pm
Public comments submitted before finalising the Jurien groundwater area allocation plan will be reviewed and considered by the department. This will be documented in a statement of response which will be released with the final plan.
The draft plan is available from www.water.wa.gov.au/allocationplanning or by contacting the Midwest Gascoyne Regional office on (08) 9965 7400.
Comments can be emailed to allocation.planning@water.wa.gov.au or posted to Midwest Gascoyne Regional office PO Box 73 GERALDTON WA 6530.
Submissions close at 5 pm on 18 December 2009.
Contact: Dianne Dixon
Phone: (08)6364 6983 / 041 991 0847