Dr. Pettitt questions the Minister for Water regarding evaluations of water entitlements' impact on Karijini National Park's water systems and how cumulative impacts on aquifers are considered during water licence applications. The Minister confirms evaluations are conducted and cumulative impacts are considered.

AnsweredQoN 141Legislative Assembly
Asked
1 May 2025
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

Karijini National Park—Water levels
141. Hon Dr Brad Pettitt to the Leader of the
House representing the Minister for Water:
I refer to an ABC
article from Tuesday 29 April titled "Tourism operator calls for investigation
into water levels at Karijini National Park".
(1) Has the Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation conducted, or does it intend to conduct, any evaluations on the
impacts of current water entitlements on Karijini National Park's inland water
systems?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), what evaluations are conducted,
and will the minister please table these studies?
(4) How does DWER consider cumulative impacts on
aquifers in this region when considering a water licence application?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable.
(3)–(4) Water licences include conditions
for monitoring potential impacts of groundwater abstraction and conditions to
report all monitoring results to the Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation. DWER reviews monitoring data and reporting to establish if any
impacts or adverse trends exist. Proponents are expected to consider water
abstraction from existing users in the hydrogeological studies they are
required to undertake in support of water licence applications. Cumulative draw
of water from an aquifer is considered as part of
the licence assessment process in the setting of monitoring and reporting frameworks
of such developments.

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