The Gnangara groundwater areas cover an area of approximately 2200 square kilometres.
Gnangara groundwater resources
The Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan covers the groundwater resources of the Yanchep, Gnangara, Wanneroo, Swan, Mirrabooka, Gwelup, Perth groundwater areas and includes a portion of the Gingin groundwater area.
The Gnangara groundwater areas consists predominantly of three main aquifers: the unconfined superficial aquifer (commonly known as the Gnangara Mound) and the confined Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers. There are also minor aquifers including the Mirrabooka and Fractured Rock.
Allocation planning in the Gnangara groundwater areas
We have developed an allocation plan for the groundwater resources in the Gnangara groundwater areas. The Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan was released on October 2009. We also released our statement of response to the submissions we received on the draft plan in 2008 during a three month public comment period.
The plan contains new allocation limits to define water availability for the groundwater water resources in the plan area. It includes policies for how we will allocate and manage water resources and informs how we will monitor, measure and evaluate the objectives of the plan.
We have received funding from the Australian Government's Water Smart Australia program to improve our understanding and management of Gnangara groundwater resources. For more information on our Water Smart Australia projects please click here.
Why have we developed a water allocation plan for Gnangara groundwater areas?
The Gnangara groundwater system is the largest source of potable water in the south-west of Western Australia and the water resources in the Gnangara area are under increasing pressure.
Decreases in annual rainfall, less water recharge to the aquifers and dams and increasing demand for water to supply the Integrated Water Supply Scheme has made it more difficult to maintain the environment while meeting demand.
How does this plan fit in with the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy and Perth Peel Regional Plan?
This plan reflects the directions of the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy (GSS) by reducing groundwater abstraction, supporting more effective use of water, and limiting the direct impacts of abstraction and use on wetlands and water quality.
This allocation plan was developed while the GSS and Perth Peel Regional Water Plan were in preparation, and aligns with the management direction that will be proposed by these documents.
Further information on the GSS can be found here. Further information the Perth Peel Plan can be found here.
How can I access the information on Gnangara that the department has produced?
We are committed to making our technical information that is used in the planning process available to the public. A list of relevant publications is available in the publication feed at the right of this page.
The Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan
You can find the Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan here.
Statement of response
Our statement of response to the public comments we received on the draft plan is available here.
Further information
For licensing information, please contact the Swan Avon Regional office in Victoria Park. Phone 08 6250 8000.
For planning information, please contact the Department of Water's Water Allocation Planning branch. Phone 08 6364 7600 or email allocation.planning@water.wa.gov.au.