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Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan

Plan release information

The Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan was released in December 2007.

The Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan evaluation statement for 2009 and evaluation statement 2009–2011 reported on implementation.

The Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan: addendum 2011 provides amendments to the plan as a result of our evaluation.

The plan supports the Gascoyne–Murchison Strategy, a regional initiative that aims to achieve more sustainable groundwater use in the Carnarvon Artesian Basin.

Water allocation planning in the Carnarvon Artesian Basin

The Carnarvon Artesian Basin contains the Birdrong aquifer, Western Australia's most geographically extensive artesian aquifer. Artesian groundwater from the Birdrong has historically been used by the pastoral industry but is under increasing pressure from new developments. While the resources of the Birdrong Aquifer are significant, recharge is limited. This means that it needs to be carefully managed to preserve its water quality and ensure sustainability.

Plan area

The Carnarvon Artesian Basin plan area is about 540 kilometres north of Perth and covers 115 000 km2. The basin stretches along the coast in the state's Mid West, extending from close to the Murchison River in the south, to the mouth of the Fortescue River in the north.

The area is located within the Gascoyne groundwater area and extends into the Pilbara groundwater area.

Water resources

The main water resource in the area is the Birdrong Sandstone aquifer. From shallowest to deepest, the six main hydrogeological formations are Windalia Radiolarite, Windalia Sand Member, and the Nannyarra, Birdrong, Kopke and Tumblagooda sandstones.

For management purposes, the plan area is divided into two subareas – Zuytdorp/Ningaloo (Gascoyne groundwater area) and part of the Ashburton subarea (Pilbara groundwater area).

Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan area

Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan area

Page last updated - 14 Jul 2015
Related publications

Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan

Evaluation statement for 2009: Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan

Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan: Evaluation statement 2009-2011

Carnarvon Artesian Basin water management plan: addendum 2011

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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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