[Greens-Media] Banjup rezoning proposal is sheer folly and threatens groundwater supplies

[Richards, Kirsten]

A proposal to build houses on protected land over the Jandakot Mound groundwater zone in Banjup is a very concerning precedent, says WA Greens Spokesperson for Water Alison Xamon.

A Motion to Disallow the proposed Amendment is being debated today in the Legislative Council.

"This site is currently zoned 'Rural Water Protection Zone' which is not something to be lightly dismissed," Ms Xamon said.

"Perth gets nearly half its annual public water supply from groundwater sources and the Jandakot Mound is a critically important groundwater source upon which we rely.

"A great deal of work across the whole of Government went into defining the boundaries of the Rural Water Protection Zone, based on comprehensive scientific study.

"As a result of this process, the decision was made that urban development of any kind cannot be undertaken on this land.

"It is therefore quite astounding and deeply disturbing that this long-recognised priority water protection area is now intended for urban development.

"The WAPC is completely unapologetic in its intention to rezone this land, and to then pursue further urbanisation of this section of the Jandakot Mound. 

"The arrogance of this is staggering.

"People are being asked to recycle the ice from their eskies and Target 60 - yet all the while the WAPC is planning to blatantly put at risk one of our key sources of groundwater.

"Incremental decision-making such as this, which eats away at the boundaries of water protection zones, is one of the biggest threats to our water supplies.

"The Mound already faces threats to its quantity and quality, even with the Water Protection Zoning.

"We are facing an increasingly drying climate and these precious sources of water should not be put at any further risk.

"I am outraged that an area which has been so clearly identified as vital to water protection can be so readily re-zoned for urbanisation.

"This sets a precedent that we cannot and should not tolerate.

"I call upon the State Government to act now to demonstrate that its commitment to water conservation goes beyond television advertisements, platitudes and easy targets such as householders.

"It is when the difficult decisions need to be made that people will see what the Government really stands for."