Davies rejects water concerns

Water Minister Mia Davies has "completely rejected" environmentalists' claims water from three Kimberley rivers will be used for large-scale irrigated agriculture.

Environs Kimberley says the Fitzroy, May and Meda rivers are expected to supply projects in the Fitzroy Valley and an area near Broome.

EK director Martin Pritchard said the group was alarmed to hear from Ms Davies about proposals for vast tracts of land for irrigated agriculture.

"For over a year, EK has been asking for a meeting with the minister … to voice our concerns about this Government's approach to water planning and management," he said.

Mr Pritchard said a thorough water assessment and planning process was needed, including consultation with traditional owner groups, recreational fishers and others.

Ms Davies said the $40 million Water for Food project was about providing "rigorous, science-based water resource information" for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal pastoral stations in the Fitzroy Valley.

"One of our key projects is the Fitzroy Valley groundwater investigation that we hope will ultimately benefit the 3000 Aboriginal people who live in 45 communities in the valley -many on pastoral stations controlled by their own corporations," she said.

"It is about making sure there is more rigour on any future allocation of water in the Fitzroy Valley and the May and Meda River plains."

Ms Davies said consultation had been at the forefront of the project with provision of a memorandum of understanding to work with Aboriginal groups.

"We're also working with the Gooniyandi and Bunuba people, whose native title claims have been determined," she said.

"We've also been in consultation with the Yawru people and plan to engage with Warrwa and the Karajarri people.

Ms Davies said the program would work with all groups and Aboriginal communities with an interest in its ability to create sustainable jobs.

"While our objective is to create economic uplift for all people in this region, by necessity there must be special focus on the economic advancement of the region's 16,000 Aboriginal people," she said.