Looking after all our water needs
Planning the Water Future » Allocation Planning » Gnangara

The Gnangara plan area

Gnangara map

The Gnangara groundwater areas are commonly known as the Gnangara Mound and cover an area of approximately 2200 square kilometres.

The Gnangara groundwater areas are bound by the Swan River to the south, Gingin Brook to the north and extend inland to the Darling Fault.

Gnangara groundwater resources

The Gnangara groundwater management plan covers the Yanchep, Gnangara, Wanneroo, Swan, Mirrabooka, Gwelup, Perth groundwater areas and includes a portion of the Gingin groundwater area.

The Gnangara groundwater areas consists predominantly of three loosely connected aquifers: the unconfined superficial aquifer and the confined Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers. There are also minor aquifers including the Mirrabooka and Kings Park.

Water planning in the Gnangara area

Go to plan

We have developed a draft plan for water resources in the Gnangara groundwater areas. The plan was open for a three-month public comment period which has now closed. We will be releasing the statement of response, addressing comments on the plan, and the final plan later this year.

We have received funding from the Australian Government's Water Smart Australia program to improve our understanding and management of Gnangara groundwater. For more information on our Water Smart Australia projects please click here [link to follow]

Why has the department prepared a water management plan for Gnangara?

The aquifers of the Gnangara groundwater areas represent the largest source of potable water in the south-west of Western Australia and water in the Gnangara area is under increasing pressure.

Decreases in annual rainfall, less water recharge to the aquifers and dams and increasing demand for water to supply the Integrated Water Supply Scheme has made it more difficult to maintain the environment while meeting demand.

How can I access the information on Gnangara that the department has produced?

We are committed to making our technical information that is used in the planning process available to the public.

Please click on the links to access the following reports:
  The Gnangara water management plan
Adobe Portable Document Format Gnangara groundwater areas water management plan: Draft for public comment
The public comment period on the draft Gnangara plan has now closed. We will be releasing the statement of response, addressing comments on the plan, and the final plan later this year. 
 

  Ecological reports
Adobe Portable Document Format Study of Ecological Water Requirements on the Gnangara and Jandakot Mounds under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act. Tasks 3 & 5: Parameter Identification and Monitoring Program Review
Prepared by: Dr. R. Froend, R. Rogan, R. Loomes and Dr. P. Horwitz, Centre for Ecosystem Management; ECU, MJ and AR Bamford, Consulting Ecologists and Dr. A. Storey, School of Animal Biology, UWA 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Study of Ecological Water Requirements on the Gnangara and Jandakot Mounds under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act. Task 2: Determination of Ecological Water Requirements
Prepared by Centre for Ecosystem Management, ECU, School of Animal Biology, UWA and M.J. & A.R. Bamford, Consulting Ecologists for the Water and Rivers Commission. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Study of Ecological Water Requirements on the Gnangara and Jandakot Mounds under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act. Task 1: Identification and Re-evaluation of Ecological Values
Prepared by Centre for Ecosystem Management, ECU, School of Animal Biology, UWA and M.J. & A.R. Bamford, Consulting Ecologists for the Water and Rivers Commission. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Section 46 Progress Report (July 2005) - State of the Gnangara Mound
This report has been prepared to provide information on progress during 2004–05 with reviewing environmental conditions that apply to management of the groundwater resources of the Gnangara and Jandakot Mounds under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EPA) section 46 review process.  
 

  Social reports
Adobe Portable Document Format Study of groundwater related Aboriginal cultural values on the Gnangara Mound, Western Australia
Prepared by Estill and Associates for the Department of Environment 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Managing a sustainable future for the Gnangara groundwater resources: analysis of stakeholder issues and perspectives
Prepared by Beckwith & Associates for the Department of Environment. 
 

Further information

For licensing information, please contact the Swan Avon Regional office in Victoria Park. Phone 08 6250 8000.

For planning information, please contact the Department of Water's Water Allocation Planning branch. Phone 08 6364 7600 or email gnangara.planning@water.wa.gov.au.