Our Say On Water | Traditional Owner Consultation Underway

Engagement Process on the Draft Fitzroy-Derby Allocation Plan

The WA Government intends to develop a Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan to allow large volumes of groundwater to be used for economic development projects in the Kimberley. This could lead to significant changes for our region. It is crucial that Traditional Owners’ views are central to water planning in the Kimberley.

Based on guidance from Traditional Owners, the KLC has pushed for the government to engage closely with Traditional Owners about the draft Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan. Last year, the KLC put together a funding proposal for a best-practice engagement process. After months of discussions, the government finally agreed to provide a reduced amount of funding for the process.

As a result, this year the KLC will facilitate an engagement process between Kimberley Traditional Owners and the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) about the draft Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan. The process will involve two large forums and four meetings between DWER and a Traditional Owner Working Group.

The engagement process will help Traditional Owners to better understand the government’s water planning processes and proposals for the Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan. At the same time, it will help government to better understand Traditional Owners’ concerns, priorities, knowledge and values in relation to water. The process gives Traditional Owners an important opportunity to influence the draft water allocation plan and push for their views to be reflected.

Water Forum

Fitzroy Crossing, April 2025

On 9 and 10 April, the KLC convened the first large water forum in Fitzroy Crossing to start the engagement process. Because the proposed water allocation plan would cover a large area of the Kimberley, all PBCs were invited to attend the forum.

It was great to see people at the forum from many different parts of the Kimberley. The forum was well attended by Traditional Owners, including representatives from 15 native title prescribed bodies corporate, the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre and the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Staff from DWER also attended.

At the forum, DWER presented information about water planning, water licensing, groundwater modelling and sustainability. Traditional Owners raised many questions and shared their views with the government representatives.

There was also a closed session just for Traditional Owners to decide on the Working Group and key issues for the Working Group to focus on in future meetings with DWER.

This forum was the first step in the engagement process, which will include a second large forum in September. Traditional Owners will decide what position and recommendations to put to the government about the draft water allocation plan. This engagement process does not mean that Traditional Owners will support the draft allocation plan.

Traditional Owners will also have a chance to comment on the draft allocation plan once it is released for public comment.

This engagement process is just one way that Kimberley Traditional Owners can try and influence how water in the Kimberley is valued and used. The KLC is also exploring other options for strengthening Traditional Owner rights in water, including through pushing for law reform and working with partner organisations.

What is a Water Allocation Plan?

Water allocation plans set limits on the amount of water that can be extracted from groundwater and surface water resources.

In Western Australia, the government regulates water extraction through licences issued under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. These licences outline how much water can be taken by a licence holder.

Water allocated through these licences supports industries like agriculture, mining, and gas. Each licence also provides guidelines for water management.

The Fitzroy-Derby water allocation plan could lead to significant regional changes. As the Kimberley’s largest landholding group, it’s essential that Traditional Owners’ perspectives are reflected in the draft plan.