Record breaking 52,000 people call for the protection of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River after epic decades long campaign

Consultation opened this year on the Fitzroy Derby Water Plan and a record 52,000 people are calling for the protection of the river, its groundwater and for more rights for Traditional Owners in managing water.

Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard said -

“More than 52,000 people have spoken up for the Martuwarra, a new record, sending a powerful message of support for stronger protection and a clear opportunity for the Government to get this right.”

“A stronger final plan can protect this living river while giving communities, Traditional Owners and decision-makers the certainty they need.”

“The Government has already committed to no new dams and no further surface water extraction. The next step is to lock those commitments into enforceable legislation, backed by strong science, transparent monitoring and real accountability.

Floodplain harvesting needs to be ruled out given the monumental damage it's done to the Murray Darling rivers.

We also need to see the protection of groundwater - the plan is suggesting way too much water be available.

Allowing 3 billion litres of water per year for every licence application risks destroying groundwater dependent ecosystems and destructive landclearing. That's not what the community wants and the WA government's Minister for Water Don Punch, needs to take heed of this."

Background

Conservation group Environs Kimberley was set up thirty years ago to protect the Martuwarra Fitzroy River from three dams and 220,000 hectares of cotton.

We worked in an alliance with Traditional Owners along the river and after seven years, the proponent pulled out. Then in 2005, the Leader of the Opposition, Colin Barnett proposed a canal from the river to Perth, announced live during the election debate, he lost the election and the proposal was shown to be financially unviable. 

Traditional Owners united to protect the river in 2016 and developed the Fitzroy River Declaration.

In 2017, the incoming McGowan Labor Government made an election promise to protect the Martuwarra Fitzroy River. That year, Gogo pastoral lease owners, NSW cotton and beef barons, the Harris brothers, proposed a massive irrigation area near Fitzroy Crossing. The WA Minister for Water referred it to the WA EPA.

Gina Rinehart followed suit and proposed 325 billion litres of extraction in 2019, this was after 46 critically endangered sawfish died on her property due to irrigation infrastructure in late 2018.

The Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council was formed by Traditional Owners in 2018 to help manage the river.

The WA Labor government started consultation on the future of the river in 2021 and 43,000 people calling for its protection.

The Kimberley Land Council presented 61 recommendations to the WA government in October 2025. This was the result of an engagement process between Kimberley Traditional Owners and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).

• The Martuwarra Fitzroy River stretches approximately 733 kilometres through the Kimberley to King Sound.
• The river and floodplain are National Heritage listed for outstanding Indigenous cultural values, and supports nationally and globally significant biodiversity, including critically endangered freshwater sawfish, barramundi, cherabin, wetlands, springs and floodplain ecosystems.
• The final plan can be strengthened by:
  • locking in no new dams and no additional surface water extraction, including banning floodplain harvesting in legislation;
  • strong enforceable caps that significantly limit groundwater extraction;
  • embedding Traditional Owner leadership in governance, monitoring and adaptive management;
  • requiring transparent water accounting, public reporting, independent science and strong compliance; and
  • recognising First Nations water interests, climate risk and environmental sustainability.