Infrastructure WA

49. Support the long-term sustainable use and management of the state’s strategic water resources by:

1. reviewing self-supply arrangements for strategic water resources (as identified in the proposed state water strategy) across the state, with the Gnangara groundwater system as a priority, to:
   • quantify the amount of water being used for self-supply purposes from each strategic water source, through monitoring and metering
   • understand the economic, environmental, cultural and social value of each strategic water resource to the region and the state
   • understand future use scenarios and any impacts on the timing and scale of major investment in future water supply infrastructure, such as desalination plants 
   • consider possible policy and regulatory approaches that could be implemented to ensure long-term sustainable outcomes 
   • outline mechanisms to achieve improved water-use efficiency (such as improved licensing, metering, pricing, trading and compliance measures)
2. based on the outcomes of the review in Recommendation 49a, implementing recommended reform measures 
3. finalising and implementing the Gnangara groundwater allocation plan. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 49 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.