The Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER) has released the finalised plan to rebalance Perth and Mandurah’s groundwater resources at risk from climate change and increasing use.
According to the Department, release of the final plan follows a number of years of stakeholder engagement and community consultation, as well as more than six years of scientific assessments and groundwater modelling.
The Department said the plan includes releasing the new Gnangara groundwater allocation plan and aligning garden bore rosters with a sprinkler roster to save 70 gigalitres of water per year.
Welcoming the plan, the Minister for Water, Dave Kelly said the impacts of climate change, reduced rainfall and increased use have had a significant effect on Perth’s precious groundwater resources.
“We need to reduce our groundwater use in order to minimise the impact that climate change is having on our wetlands, bushland, street trees, recreational parks and groundwater quality,” Mr Kelly said.
“By everyone making small changes to how they use groundwater, we can deliver environmental benefits, provide industry with clarity and certainty, and protect this precious resource for future generations,” he said.
“$11.5 million in funding will be made available through a range of programs to assist groundwater users from industry to local government and domestic bore owners, as they transition to reduced groundwater.”
Mr Kelly said implementing the Gnangara groundwater allocation plan and the garden bore sprinkler roster, the next four years will support the horticulture industry, local government and garden bore users to adapt.
“Since 1980, the impacts of climate change, reduced rainfall and increased groundwater abstraction has seen water tables fall by up to 10 metres – a 1,000GL loss of aquifer storage, equivalent to 1,000 Optus Stadiums full of water,” the Minister said.
“Our precious groundwater systems supply up to 40 per cent of Perth’s drinking water, as well as water for industry and horticulture, garden bores, parks and other green spaces,” he said.
“They also support highly valued environmental assets such as wetlands, bushland and street trees right across Perth and Mandurah.”
“Under the new plan,” Mr Kelly said, “large licensed water users north of the Swan River, including Water Corporation, industry, irrigators and local governments, will be required to reduce their groundwater abstraction as part of the new Gnangara groundwater allocation plan from July 2028.
“Water Corporation will reduce their abstraction by 27 per cent, while reductions in water entitlements for most other licensed groundwater users has been limited to just 10 per cent,” he said.
“Schools and hospitals will be exempt from any reductions in water entitlement.
Details of the new plan can be found at this PS News link.
