Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 859

❓ The question concerns the legality of selling groundwater extracted from rural properties in the Perth Hills, specifically whether a licence is required for commercial sale and transport off-site. The answer clarifies that most of the Perth Hills is outside proclaimed groundwater areas, meaning licences are generally not required.

AnsweredQoN 859Legislative Council

Asked

11 November 2025

Member

Hon Anthony Spagnolo

Portfolio

Aboriginal Affairs; Water; Climate Resilience; South West

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the extraction and possible sale of groundwater from rural properties in the Perth Hills, and I ask: (a) does a licence to extract groundwater permit the commercial sale or transport of that water off-site; (b) if yes to (a), under what licence category and conditions; and (c) if no to (a), what enforcement action applies where extraction is used for commercial resale without approval?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

11 December 2025

Responded by

Leader of the House representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; Water; Climate Resilience; South West

Response time

8 days

(a) – (c) Most of the Perth Hills area lies outside of groundwater areas proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (see map tabled in response to Question on Notice No. 855 showing the extent of proclaimed groundwater areas) . Licences are not required to take water from non-artesian wells in non-proclaimed areas (irrespective of the purpose for which water is taken). In proclaimed areas, licence terms, conditions and restrictions can vary according to the individual application and approval process.

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