Water resources planning in a drying climate in the south-west of Western Australia

ABSTRACT

The level of water resource development was not at a critically high level when climate change dramatically reduced runoff and recharge in South-west Western Australia. This was because of the state’s relatively low population for its size, a small irrigation industry (mainly based on self-supply groundwater) and the low level of secondary industry. Few resources were heavily over allocated despite the need to significantly de-rate water supply systems. The strong uni-directional drying signal in the south-west of WA has been an advantage in that new water supplies have been developed and/or demands reduced as conditions continued to dry, reinforcing the decisions made. Strong government leadership in adapting to a drying climate in the south-west, through accelerated and alternate water source developments has been extremely successful in mitigating dire impacts, especially in the Perth-Peel region. However, as drying and warming trends continue, there is less opportunity to develop new sources and a need to consider a wider array of sources, especially use in water resource planning. More nuanced planning requires stronger governance settings and increased engagement of stakeholders. A step change in the governance and sophistication of water planning and management could be achieved through new legislation in coming years.

KEYWORDS:

• Water governance
• water planning
• Western Australia
• climate change
• Gnangara
• water legislation
• groundwater

Acknowledgements

Greg Watkinson for his advice on regulatory matters. Roy Stone, for access to his considerable expertise in water planning. Susan Worley for her advice and her ongoing contribution to water science, policy, and management. We note that while appreciative of their assistance, this paper may not accord with their views on water planning. We also appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this special issue of AJWR and thank the guest editors for their efforts.

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Kathleen Broderick

Kathleen provides facilitation of cross regional and sectoral initiatives, involving governments, business and industry to achieve natural resource outcomes. Clients include community organisations, research and development centres, government, and NRM organisations. Her experience combines research and practical contributions to management of water quality improvement in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, biodiversity and water quality management in Tasmania, and salinity management in the Collie River catchment in Western Australia. As social and economic research and information manager at the Great Barrier Reef Park Authority, Kathleen contributed to management of issues as diverse as Climate Change, pest species management such as Crown of thorns starfish, and managing tourism impacts. Kathleen has written several key papers examining governance of natural resources and community participation in resource management. She has contributed as a member of expert panels including the national review of extension ‘Consolidating targeted and practical extension services for Australian Farmers and Fishers’ (2017) and the adaptation of marine biodiversity as part of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (2010). Kathleen is a Fellow of the Peter Cullen Trust and has over 30 years’ professional experience in natural resource management with a focus on governance, stewardship, and community engagement.

Don McFarlane

Don McFarlane BSc MSc PhD has 40 years’ experience in land and water research and management. In the WA Department of Agriculture he led the Soils and Catchment Hydrology research groups as well as a regional NRM group. He has overseen water allocation planning, policy and Water Corporation licencing while a director in the state water agency. While a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Floreat Laboratories he coordinated research in the Water Flagship and led projects on the impacts of climate change on water resources in the south-west of WA and in the Pilbara. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at UWA and part-time consultant. His main interests are managed aquifer recharge, urban hydrology under climate change, and remote sensing.