Keeping the engine room running: key themes and developments in water resources management in the Pilbara region of Western Australia

Abstract

Water management is a key issue confronting government, the mining industry and the wider community in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This article will provide an update on three current developments in Pilbara water resource management: preparation of the Pilbara groundwater allocation plan, consideration of facilitating the on-use of mine dewatering surplus ( or excess), and preparation of a guidance note on environmental and water assessments relating to mining operations in the Fortescue Marsh area.! From these developments, we can draw three themes that appear to be guiding water resource management in the Pilbara: limited water allocation plans, diversification of water supply sources (and the associated removal of any potential legislative constraints with respect to the use of mine dewater), and management of cumulative impacts for specific areas of ecological significance. This article seeks to explore these guiding themes and identify issues that require further investigation.