The Arrowsmith groundwater area is located between 200 km and 380 km north of Perth and covers over 10 000 km2.
Groundwater resources in the plan area
The Arrowsmith groundwater area, along with the Jurien and Gingin groundwater areas, cover the Northern Perth Basin. The Arrowsmith groundwater area is divided into the Allanooka, Darling, Dongara, Eneabba Plains, Mingenew, Morrison, Tathra and Twin Hills subareas.
The groundwater resources of the Arrowsmith groundwater area are the unconfined superficial and surficial aquifers, fractured rocks and the semi-confined to confined aquifers of Leederville–Parmelia, Yarragadee, Cattamarra, Eneabba, Lesueur, and Otorowiri.
Allocation planning in the Arrowsmith groundwater area
We have completed an allocation plan for the groundwater resources in the Arrowsmith groundwater area. The Arrowsmith groundwater allocation plan was released in August 2010. We also released our statement of response to the comments we received on the plan for public comment between August and October 2009.
The Arrowsmith groundwater area allocation plan provides the Department of Water’s direction for managing groundwater use in the Arrowsmith groundwater area. The plan promotes good water management, together with a transparent decision-making process. This plan contains:
- allocation limits, which define how much water is available in the Arrowsmith groundwater area
- licensing policies for how we will allocate and manage the groundwater resources
- objectives, strategies and performance indicators for monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of the plan
- implementation and evaluation information, providing actions to be undertaken to implement the plan and the process for reporting on its performance.
Why has the Department prepared a water alocation plan?
Demand for water from the groundwater areas of the Northern Perth Basin is increasing. Commercial growth in the mining industry, new horticultural projects, and expanding urban development along the coast is leading to competition for good quality fresh water. Planning is needed to provide users with access to water and security, while meeting the needs of the environment in a drying climate.
How can I access any of the information on the Arrowsmith groundwater area that the department has produced?
We are committed to making the technical information used in the planning process available to the public on our website. The most recent reports can be seen via the publications area at the top right of this page.
Please click on the links to access the following documents:
Allocation plan and supporting documents
Arrowsmith groundwater allocation plan
Publish Date: 29/09/2010
Statement of response: Arrowsmith and Jurien groundwater allocation plans
Publish Date: 28/09/2010
Arrowsmith groundwater area allocation plan draft for public comment : frequently asked questions
Publish Date: 14/08/2009
Arrowsmith groundwater area subarea reference sheets : plan companion for the Arrowsmith groundwater area allocation plan
Publish Date: 14/08/2009
Review of the Jurien and Arrowsmith groundwater allocation limits : supporting information for the Jurien and Arrowsmith groundwater allocation plans
Publish Date: 04/05/2009
Managing the water resources of the Arrowsmith groundwater area, W.A. : interim sub-regional allocation strategy
Publish Date: 23/12/2003
Ecological reports
Environmental considerations for groundwater management of the Northern Perth Basin
Publish Date: 01/05/2009
Hydrological reports (or hydrogeological)
Hydrogeology of the Dongara Borehole Line
Publish Date: 25/10/2007
Mid west minerals province : groundwater resource appraisal
Publish Date: 21/12/2004
Groundwater investigation program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020)
Publish Date: 07/01/2003
The hydrogeology of groundwater dependent ecosystems in the Northern Perth Basin
Publish Date: 07/01/2003
Hydrogeology of the coastal plain between Cervantes and Leeman, Perth Basin
Publish Date: 01/02/1997
Further information
For licensing information, please contact the Mid-West Gascoyne Regional office in Geraldton. Phone 08 9965 7400, or visit the Water regions website.
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