The Department of Water has developed the South West regional water plan in partnership with the south west community, to provide a strategic vision and approach to the sustainable management of the region’s water resources and water services for the next 20 years.
South West regional water plan boundary
The sustainable management of the south west’s water resources is essential to the future social and economic prosperity of the region. A drying climate trend, an increasing population and economic development are putting pressure on those water resources and it is imperative that water management is improved now and into the future.
The shared vision for water in the south west is that:
"The South West region’s water resources are managed and developed in a sustainable manner under the stewardship of all communities and organisations to protect and enhance the unique ecological, cultural, economic and social values they support"
The Plan’s purpose is to provide the strategic direction for water management and planning in Western Australia’s South West region to 2030. Specifically the Plan:
- sets a vision for water policy, planning and management in the region
- assesses the current status of water resource management and service delivery
- identifies and assesses current and future water availability and demand
- engages with the south west community to understand local water issues
- takes a whole-of-water-cycle approach
- aligns, where possible, with natural resource management (NRM) activities
- provides strategies, position statements and priority actions to support and guide improved water resource management
The plan introduces seven water resource management themes that comprehensively cover all the major issues facing the region. These themes are:
- Understand water resources
- Enhance the security of water resources for the environment and users
- Manage water resource health and values
- Facilitate water sensitive regional development
- Provide integrated water services for urban communities
- Use water efficiently
- Involve the community for effective management of regional water resources
The plan and supporting documentation can be obtained here.
For further information email: southwestregionalplan@water.wa.gov.au.