The Gnangara Coordinating Committee

The Government of Western Australia is working to improve our understanding of the Gnangara groundwater system and the effect of various land uses on the system and the environment.

In 2006, the government established the Gnangara Coordinating Committee (GCC) to address the rapid decline in groundwater levels. Members were appointed from the Department of Water, Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Department of Environment and Conservation and Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Forest Products Commission, Water Corporation and CSIRO.

Lake Goollelal

Initially, the committee was asked to develop a Gnangara Water Plan. However, it became clear that an integrated land- and water-management plan was necessary to address issues related to declining water levels. The water plan has developed into the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy (GSS).

Following a submission to the Water Resources Cabinet Sub-Committee, the state government approved funding of $7.5 million for the GSS in February 2007.

There are now a number of projects and programs looking at:

  • the water requirements of the environment
  • water allocation for public supply and private purposes
  • land-use planning in terms of urban and rural development
  • land requirements for conservation
  • management of the Gnangara Pine Plantation.

Actions in any one of these programs can have significant implications for the others.

How the committee will achieve its aims

The Gnangara Coordinating Committee provides a framework for cross-government collaboration between senior decision makers and for evaluating trade-offs between competing values.

The committee is providing well-researched, scientific advice and will make recommendations to the Government of Western Australia that will have better social, economic and environmental outcomes for the Gnangara groundwater system.