Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation lodges EPA submission into water extraction at Millstream aquifer

The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation has accused the State’s Water Corporation of extracting more water than is environmentally sustainable from the Millstream aquifer, located in a spiritually and culturally significant area. On November 11, YAC lodged a submission with WA’s Environmental Protection Authority on the impacts of existing and proposed water extraction from the aquifer. The submission outlined concerns over the sustainability of water extraction and the impact on environmental features of the Millstream Chichester National Park, unique subterranean fauna, and the cultural heritage of the Yindjibarndi People. “This water has been taken from our cultural and spiritual heartland without our free, prior and informed consent, which has long been an established United Nations principle,” YAC CEO Michael Woodley said. “This is contrary to best practice and has been extremely damaging to our environmental and spiritual wellbeing. “The Yindjibarndi people have been raising serious concerns with the State Government in recent years about the declining water levels and the creeks that are meant to be running but are dry, and yet we have not seen affirmative action even when the community has worked hard and in good faith to propose solutions to reduce extraction to sustainable levels.” In response, a Water Corporation spokesperson said while licence conditions governing groundwater abstraction had not been breached, the organisation remained committed to responsibly managing this important resource alongside representatives from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation; the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; and the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma Nations. “Harding Dam is the primary and preferred drinking water source in West Pilbara, but reduced rainfall recharge has necessitated greater reliance on Millstream in order to maintain drinking water supply to homes and businesses across the region,” they said. “Water Corporation is progressing options for a new water source to meet future demand in the West Pilbara and reduce reliance on groundwater. “To date, investigations have identified seawater desalination as a potential source, with discussions under way with third parties to assess this and other opportunities. “An important part of this involves engaging openly and in good faith with traditional custodians.” In the interim, Water Corporation said it was actively working with the community, industry and high water users to reduce demand and increase water efficiency. “While groundwater remains essential as a drinking water source in the West Pilbara, we recognise that, like rainfall, it is being impacted by climate change,” the spokesperson said. “This means we must plan new, climate-resilient water sources far in advance and ensure that abstraction in the interim is sustainable.” EPA chair Darren Walsh said the authority had considered the information in accordance with its procedures and obligations under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, and a referral would be published on November 14 for a seven-day public comment period. “This will assist the EPA in deciding whether or not to assess the proposal and, if so, the level of assessment,” he said. “This determination will be published on the EPA website and will include the reasons for the decision and the number of public comments. This decision is not appealable.” The referral is now open for public comment via consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/seven-day-comment-on-referrals/abstraction-groundwater-millstream.