Where is the Martuwarra Fitzroy River, and what makes it so special? Who are the Traditional Owners of the Martuwarra Fitzroy catchment? Who lives around the river, and why is it significant? Why is it important to protect the whole Martuwarra Fitzroy catchment, not just the river channel? Why are flood and drought so important in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River system? Why is groundwater so important to the Martuwarra Fitzroy River? How much surface water and groundwater does the river need to stay healthy? Who takes water from the river and its aquifers, and why? Who controls or manages the catchment area and its water resources? What is the cultural significance of the Martuwarra for Traditional Owners?

Why is it important to protect the whole Martuwarra Fitzroy catchment, not just the river channel?

Protecting only the river channel would not take into consideration the wider systems that keep the Martuwarra Fitzroy healthy. Floodplains, tributaries, wetlands, springs and aquifers all help store, move and release water through the seasons. The river’s flows, ecology, and cultural significance depend on these connected parts functioning together. The wet-season flows connect river pools, recharge the alluvial aquifer (shallow aquifers that are near the surface), fill off-channel and connect the river to its floodplain, while dry-season groundwater helps sustain pools and wetlands. 

The WA Government is accepting public submissions until June 30th on its draft water plan that will shape the future of the Martuwarra for generations.

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