Fitzroy water allocation plan
As part of the Government of Western Australia’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.
Discussion paper for stakeholder consultation
On 27 May 2020, Hon. Ministers Kelly, MacTiernan, Sanderson and Dawson announced an extension of the public comment period for the Managing Water in the Fitzroy River Catchment: Discussion paper for stakeholder consultation (Discussion Paper). The public comment period has now been extended until 5pm (WST) on Tuesday 31 August 2021.This paper discusses the options and approaches being considered by the State Government to protect the Fitzroy River and manage the use of water to support sustainable economic development in the Fitzroy River Catchment. The paper has been developed following two years of consultation with people who live and work in the catchment and interact with the Fitzroy River. Your feedback on the options and approaches outlined in the discussion paper will help guide and inform the development of the Fitzroy water allocation plan.
How to make your submission
You can provide your feedback and comments in several ways:
- at a meeting or information session
- online via the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Consultation Hub at https://consult.dwer.wa.gov.au/water-policy/managing-water-in-the-fitzroy-river-catchment
- by sending your written comments by email to fitzroywaterdiscussionpaper@dwer.wa.gov.au or by post to:
Branch Manager
Water Allocation Planning
Locked Bag 10
Joondalup DC WA 6919
If you need more information or would like to meet with us during the consultation period, please email fitzroycommitments@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Water allocation planning in Fitzroy
A water allocation plan will provide a sound basis for the 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 (2019) outlines:
- the 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 includes the Fitzroy River Catchment and where the groundwater resources occur to the north of the catchment (Figure 1).
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 from these areas.
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.
Figure 1 Planning area for the Fitzroy water allocation plan