Dear Minister Pastorelli,

Congratulations on your appointment as Western Australia's Minister for Water.

I am one of the more than 50,000 people who made a submission on the Draft Fitzroy-Derby Water Plan, calling for the Martuwarra Fitzroy River to be protected.

As someone who lives in the Kimberley, I know how important the Martuwarra is to our communities, culture, wildlife and future generations.

The response from the Kimberley community was extraordinary. More than 1,300 Kimberley residents made a submission - around one in every 9 people who voted in the last state election - showing just how deeply people care about the future of this river.

As you begin your role as Minister for Water, I ask you to listen to the voices of Kimberley communities and Traditional Owners and commit to the priorities raised through this consultation process.

I ask that you:

• Lock-in the commitment to no further surface water take and no dams 
• Significantly limit groundwater extraction to prevent largescale irrigated agriculture taking over 
• Embed strong monitoring, enforcement and transparency
• Supporting Traditional Owners rights and involvement as partners, including supporting a genuine decisionmaking role
• Outline next steps of reform to deliver long-term protection of the river

The Martuwarra Fitzroy River is a living river that has sustained people and Country for tens of thousands of years. I ask you to ensure its future, and the future of the Kimberley region, is protected.

Thank you for considering my concerns and calls for change