A new scientific report released today warns that the Western Australia Government must hold firm on its commitment to no new dams and no further surface-water extraction from the National Heritage listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River, while strengthening protections against large-scale groundwater extraction from aquifers that help keep the river alive through the dry season.
The report, Groundwater: Lifeblood of the Martuwarra, finds the river and many connected Kimberley ecosystems are highly dependent on groundwater, including the Grant Poole and Wallal aquifers, which help sustain river flows, springs, wetlands, riparian vegetation and dry-season refuge habitats.
The report comes as recent pressure is being placed on the WA Cook Government to wind back river protections through the draft Fitzroy-Derby Water Plan. Report author and conservation scientist Angela Pursey said decisions about the Martuwarra must be based on evidence, not assumptions that more water can be taken safely.
“The science is simply not there to justify claims that any more water can be taken from the Martuwarra Fitzroy system without risk,” Ms Pursey said.
“There are major gaps in streamflow monitoring, groundwater level data, mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, understanding of how pumping impacts move through aquifers, and the ecological thresholds needed to protect permanent pools and dry-season refuges.”
“There is no such thing as ‘spare’ water in a living river system like the Martuwarra. Wet-season flows shape floodplains, recharge aquifers, sustain wetlands and billabongs, support fish breeding and carry life to the Kimberley coast.”
“Best-practice water management would require robust baseline data, spatially representative monitoring bores, long-term monitoring, public transparency and enforceable triggers before any major extraction is even considered. The current draft plan falls short on these tests.”
The report also finds pumping impacts can extend tens of kilometres from bore sites, meaning few potential pump locations in the lower Fitzroy are far enough away to avoid threatening dry-season refugia pools, springs and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard said the final water plan must protect the whole river system - surface water, groundwater, wetlands, springs, floodplains and the Kimberley coast - rather than carving it up for more industrial use.
“The WA Government’s commitment to no new dams and no further surface-water extraction was the right call backed by tens of thousands of community members. It must not be weakened under pressure from vested interests,” Mr Pritchard said.
“This report shows the next frontier of risk is groundwater. If the final plan opens the door to large-scale extraction from aquifers that are still poorly understood, it could undermine the very river protections the Government has promised.”
“Ultimately, we need a process that puts the river first. That means strong limits, enforceable protections, independent science, transparent monitoring and Traditional Owner leadership in decisions that affect Country, culture and future generations.”
