Pilbara TOs’ heritage fear over water extraction

Fears for the health of a cultural heritage-listed river in the Pilbara due to water extraction have once again surfaced, only months after the system was saved from a Forrest-backed irrigation project.

Traditional Owners have raised the alarm about the level of water extraction occurring near Five Mile Pool on the Ashburton River, known to the Thalanyji people as Mindurru, which they say has left the popular swimming spot’s water level dwindling.

The pool is a resting place for the Warnamankura serpent – similar to the Noongar nation’s Wagyl which created the Swan River – which is central to creation stories and protects Country.

Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Kunal Malhotra said extraction from near the pool must stop.

“This is a recent development in that area of the river noting water is normally extracted further downstream,” he said.

“We are in discussions with the relevant parties about seeking alternative water sources for their projects.

“The health and integrity of the Ashburton River is of ongoing concern to Thalanyji People, as was made very clear during the recent weirs case.”

Recent concerns come after the State Administrative Tribunal in April ended Harvest Road’s long-held ambition to build 10 weirs on the Ashburton to irrigate Minderoo Station, allowing the Forrest family property to increase its cattle herd.

Thalanyji Traditional Owners were concerned Minderoo’s weirs – one of which was built with Traditional Owner approval in 2010 – could have killed the Warnamankura.

A 150-kilometre stretch of the Ashburton River from its mouth inland is a registered Aboriginal heritage site.

A DWER spokesperson said four entities currently had permission to extract a combined 91,100 kilolitres a year.

That is down from 159,100 kilolitres in the 2021-22 financial year.

“DWER considers potential impacts on heritage values as part of any new license assessment process, including any requirements for a Section 18 issued under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972,” DWER said.

Backers of the Dampier to Bunbury Pipeline are the heaviest users, with approval to extract 34,600 kilolitres a year.

Minderoo Station and Main Roads WA are the other major users at present.