Bid to halt Gnangara water increase

Daniel Mercer - The West Australian - 21 December 2010

The Conservation Council has threatened to go to WA’s environmental watchdog seeking an injunction against the Water Corporation which plans to increase its draw on the Gnangara Mound by 45 billion litres next year. 

Council director Piers Verstegen said he was considering a formal request to the Environmental Protection Authority for a full environmental impact assessment of the proposal.  If accepted, it could greatly delay the Water Corporation’s plans.  Mr Verstegen denied such a move would be irresponsible, saying the Government has failed in its duty to protect the Gnangara Mound and could not continue to use it as a sacrificial lamb.

“It seems to be the case the Department of Water hasn’t upheld its responsibility to protect environmental aspects of water and, in particular, maintain the amount of water that needs to be available for groundwater-dependent ecosystems that are on and around the mound, including wetlands, some of which are high conservation value,” he said.  “The fact that the Water Corporation are having to always fall back on the Gnangara Mound, which is already being used in an unsustainable way, just represents very poor planning in terms of the way we’re using our water resources in WA.”

Mr Verstegen’s remarks came after The West Australian revealed last week the Water Corporation was poised to seek its full allocation of 165 billion litres from the Gnangara Mound when it meets Department of Water officials to discuss its annual licence conditions this month.  The revelations came after repeated warnings from the utility that record low run-off into Perth’s dams would leave it with no other option than to increase its take from the underground aquifer. 

A spokesman for Water Minister Graham Jacobs said there were “enough checks and balances” to ensure the Water Corporation’s plans would be adequately vetted, including assessments by the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation.

The department said it would direct the Water Corporation to mitigate its use of the Gnangara by drawing more water from other aquifers, including the Jandakot and Yarragadee systems.