Western Australia has announced new planning guidelines to help ensure that development does not damage water resources.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said a new 'State Planning Policy 2.9 Water Resources' was now part of the planning framework.
"The water resources policy will help ensure that land use development does not detrimentally affect important water resources such as wetlands, lakes, waterways and floodplains," Ms MacTiernan said.
"It will also protect the quality and quantity of supplies of drinking water or water used for industrial purposes.
"This means that unsuitable activities, such as those which produce harmful or noxious discharges, or developments which would interfere with water flows, could be refused planning permission.
"The policy also supports development which contributes to the rehabilitation of water resources, or incorporates measures that contribute to better usage and management of water."
The WA Planning Commission would now apply the policy when it was making decisions, or providing advice to the Government.
Local governments would also need to incorporate them in future town planning schemes.
