The Department of Water has released the Arrowsmith groundwater area allocation plan for a three month public comment period starting today.
The plan establishes the allocation and management approach for vital groundwater resources, across six regional shires in the Mid West Gascoyne.
The plan establishes how the department licenses, allocates and manages the groundwater resources of the Arrowsmith groundwater area which includes the shires of Coorow, Carnamah, Irwin and Three Springs, and smaller portions of the Shire of Mingenew and City of Geraldton-Greenough.
The plan replaces Managing the water resources of Arrowsmith groundwater area WA - Interim sub-regional allocation strategy which was published in 2002.
"In drafting this plan the department reviewed the allocation limits and current information on groundwater-dependent ecosystems across the plan area," Department of Water Midwest Gascoyne region manager Greg Davis said.
"The plan promotes good water management, together with a transparent decision-making process.
"It sets out the available groundwater resources for commercial activities and also outlines the policies for how the department manages groundwater abstraction and use in the Arrowsmith groundwater area."
Mr Davis said the plan outlined the region's water security.
"There is still water available throughout the Arrowsmith groundwater area and water is reserved across different aquifers to ensure water is available for local communities in the future," he said. "It also takes into account promotion of efficient use of available resources with a view to optimising regional growth. "
Mr Davis said the plan has considered:
- existing hydrogeological information
- water requirements for current and future needs in the Mid West region
- community concerns collected as part of the groundwater vision exercise carried out in 2007.
The department invites all interested parties to one of the following information sessions to be held on the draft plan:
- Geraldton - Ocean Centre Hotel, Monday 7 September 2009 Time: 5 - 6:30pm
- Mingenew - Community Hall, Victoria Street, Tuesday 8 September 2009 Time: 5 - 6:30pm
- Eneabba - Recreation Centre Hall, Wednesday 9 September 2009 Time: 5 - 6:30pm
The department will review and consider the public comments submitted before finalising the Arrowsmith groundwater area allocation plan. This will be documented in a statement of response which will be released with the final plan.
The draft plan is available from www.water.wa.gov.au/allocationplanning or by contacting the Midwest Gascoyne Regional office on (08) 9965 7400.
Comments can be emailed to allocation.planning@water.wa.gov.au or posted to Midwest Gascoyne Regional office PO Box 73 GERALDTON WA 6530.
Submissions close 5pm 30 October 2009
Media contact: Dianne Dixon (08) 6364 6983 / 041 991 0847