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Government of Western Australia Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
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Planning for the future Show Sub Nav
Finding water

Finding new water resources, including Royalties for Regions-funded programs and other drilling programs to explore resources across the state.

Water allocation plans

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Rural water support

Click here to apply for rebates and grants for farmers, pastoralists and rural communities to improve local water supplies and for information about assistance to help farmers access water during dry seasons.

Flood planning and mapping

Information, advice and management of flood plans based on flood behaviour research and floodplain mapping for the state's major rivers.

Water and land use planning

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Meeting demand

Information about how we work with government, water service providers, industry and communities to identify water demand management and supply options that enable sustainable water use.

Licensing Show Sub Nav
Water licensing Water Licensing

Licences and how to apply, licensing policies, forms to download and answers to questions frequently asked by current and prospective licensees.

Water trading Water Trading

Find out who is eligible to trade water entitlements and how applications are assessed. Click here to identify potential trading partners from the Water Register.

Metering and measurement

Metering and measuring the water you take helps you understand your water usage to make the most of your entitlements and reduce your overall costs.

Water licensing fees

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Current legislation

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Water reform

We are updating our policy and legislation to deliver water resource management legislation that is flexible, progressive and capable of managing water today and in the future.

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Water services Water Services

Legislation and policy for Western Australia’s water service providers.

Urban development Urban Development

Planning and managing water to enable growing, liveable water smart towns and cities.

Recycling and efficiency Recycling

Information about wastewater recycling, water efficiencies and the use of fit-for-purpose water. Recycling is encouraged whenever it is socially, economically and environmentally acceptable to make smart use of waste water for the ongoing development of the State.

Bores Domestic Garden Watering

For information on groundwater, garden bores and waterwise gardens please visit our Be Groundwater Wise website. You can find questions and answers about garden bores,

Drinking water Mundaring Weir

Protecting and managing public drinking water source areas including policies relating to public drinking water source areas, water source protection plans, water quality strategies and management and review processes.

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Groundwater Ground Water

Information on the state’s groundwater resources, locations, investigations, aquifer recharge and sustainable management of water resources, including an overview of state groundwater investigations.

Surface water Surface Water

Surface water, like rivers and streams used for public water supply, self-supply, irrigation, recreation and hydropower and rainfall and streamflow monitoring, catchment modelling and flood studies to manage surface water.

Water quality Water Quality

Click here for information about water quality, including public drinking water source areas, salinity, brochures, fact sheets and best management practices for various land uses and activities to help protect water quality and public health.

Waterways Rivers and Estuaries

Rivers and estuaries and their importance including information on monitoring and assessing waterways, protecting, understanding, planning, restoring, and risks and threats.

Estuaries

There are 166 estuaries in Western Australia as established through the National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) 2000, where an estuary is defined as

Onshore petroleum and water resources 5.6 Shale_and_tight_gas.jpg

Information on the department’s role in relation to the shale and tight gas industry.

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Maps

Monitoring and data

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Making submissions and complaints about the taking of water

Frequently asked questions

Why are water licence applications advertised and how do I make a submission?

How do I make a complaint about the taking of water, or a bed and banks disturbance?

These responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) are designed to help water users and property owners understand their rights and responsibilities in accessing the state's water resources and managing their water use.

Should you require further information please contact your local Department of Water and Environmental Regulation office.

Why are water licence applications advertised and how do I make a submission?

The department may require a licence applicant to notify the public of their proposed water activity by advertising their project in the 'West Australian' and a local newspaper. Refer FAQ 2: How to apply for a licence or permit.

The requirement to advertise is based on the proposed amount of water to be taken or the potential for significant impact to occur to a water resource. This public notification provides an opportunity for any person to make a submission to the department outlining their opinions, objections and concerns regarding the project.

The timeframe for making comments is stated in the advertisement.

When making a submission you should:

  • state the nature of the objection or concern
  • indicate how the application will directly (or indirectly) affect you
  • suggest how your objection may be overcome
  • indicate the level of monitoring and management that would provide you with an appropriate level of reassurance that your concerns will be addressed.

Following an assessment of all the submissions and relevant information, the department will then decide whether to grant or refuse the water licence application.

A specific condition, or suite of conditions may be included on a licence to manage any potential impacts that have been identified through submissions. The department will notify any person that made a submission of the department's decision.

In the case of large and complex applications, the department may compile a report on the range of issues raised and how these should be addressed. This report may be made available to the public and the applicant.

How do I make a complaint about the taking of water, or a bed and banks disturbance?

If you see any activity you believe to be unlawful taking of water, interference of bed or banks, or the construction of bores or dams, please report this to your local Department of Water and Environmental Regulation office.

Such complaints are managed within a register and where appropriate, investigation and action will occur. Complaints are managed in accordance with the department's policy Operational policy 5.10: Managing breaches of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 on watercourses in Western Australia.

Page last updated - 15 Jan 2018
Making submissions and complaints


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The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was established by the Government of Western Australia on 1 July 2017. It is a result of the amalgamation of the Department of Environment Regulation, Department of Water and the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. This website/publication may contain references to previous government departments and programs. Please contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to clarify any specific information.

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