Fitzroy water allocation plan
As part of the Western Australian Government's commitment to sustainable economic development in the Fitzroy River catchment, the department is developing a water allocation plan for surface water and groundwater resources in the area by 2020.
A water allocation plan will provide a sound basis for long-term sustainable use of the region's water resources while making sure the unique environmental and cultural values of the Fitzroy River are protected.
Water planning in the Fitzroy River catchment area outlines:
- the proposed timeframe and process for developing the water allocation plan
- what a water allocation plan is
- how the water allocation plan will be used to manage water resources and support water licensing in the Fitzroy area.
Plan area
The Fitzroy water allocation plan will cover the Fitzroy River catchment, which extends from near Halls Creek in the east, downstream to the coast near Derby in the west. The plan area may also extend beyond the catchment to cover local groundwater resources.
The area is proclaimed for both groundwater and surface water as part of the Canning-Kimberley groundwater area and Fitzroy River catchment area respectively. This means water users, except for small-scale stock and domestic users, require a water licence to lawfully take surface water or groundwater in these areas.
Fitzroy River catchment- indicative water planning area
Water resources
The water allocation plan will cover:
- surface water from the Fitzroy River and its tributaries
- groundwater from aquifers in the Fitzroy Trough and Lennard Shelf area including:
- the Grant Group and Poole Sandstone which are large regional aquifers
- the Liveringa Group which is an extensive variable unit that acts as a minor aquifer in some areas and an aquitard in others
- ancient limestones exposed in the eastern catchment (the Devonian reef complex)
- shallow alluvial aquifers that border major rivers.