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Bushwalking Access in Drinking Water Catchments
- The water catchments of the Darling Range cover a large
area where bushwalkers have traditionally been allowed access.
- Since 2003 bushwalkers are not allowed to walk in Reservoir
Protection Zones (RPZs). RPZs are 2 kms upslope of, and extend around,
the reservoirs and are upstream of the dam walls.
- Bushwalkers are not allowed to camp in catchments unless
in a designated camping area.
- The Department of Water (DoW) Policy 13 (2003) sets
rules for where bushwalkers can and can’t walk. A new version
is due out soon.
- DoW Drinking Water Source Protection Plans published
in 2007 (including for Mundaring and Canning Dam) stated that bushwalkers
would no longer be allowed to walk off-track through the bush in the
catchments even in National Parks. However, the Director of the DoW
Water Resources Management Division later commented that this was
“incorrect” and that bushwalkers may walk off track in outer
catchments. The Plans remain uncorrected.
- The Federation of Western Australian Bushwalkers believes
bushwalkers should be able to continue to freely walk and overnight
camp in the catchments as they are environmentally responsible. The
Federation is working with government agencies to achieve this right
to roam.
Bushwalking Areas near Perth Relative to Drinking
Water Catchments
See Also:
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