The Whicher area is in the south-west of Western Australia. It extends from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin and east of Nannup.
Surface water resources in the plan area
The surface water resources of the Whicher area include the Margaret, Capel and Lower Blackwood rivers and their tributaries, and a large number of smaller streams that flow to the coast.
The Whicher area covers three surface water management areas: the Busselton Coast; Capel River and Lower Blackwood. These management areas are further divided into 52 surface water management subareas (see map), based on the catchments of the rivers and their smaller tributaries.
View an enlarge copy of the map.
Allocation planning in the Whicher area
We have developed an allocation plan for surface water resources in the Whicher area. We released the Whicher area surface water allocation plan on 30 September 2009. We also released a statement of response, which summarises the comments and questions we received during the public comment period in 2008 and our responses to these.
The plan sets out objectives, policies for how the surface water resources will be allocated and managed, performance indicators and actions for implementation and future planning. The allocation limits set in the planning process define how much surface water is available in the Whicher area.
The next phase of planning in the Whicher area is underway and includes investigations that will refine the plan.
Why have we prepared an allocation plan for Whicher surface water resources?
Planning is needed to ensure that the needs of the community and the environment are protected while providing water users with secure water supplies.
Drivers for planning in the Whicher area include increasing demands from expansion of agriculture and viticulture industries and increasing water scarcity and the need to provide security of supply to users. Securing supply through licences is an important part of ensuring each user has their needs met, without impacting others.
How can I access the information used in developing the plan or related to Whicher surface water resources?
We are committed to making the information that we use in the planning process or produce as a result of studies available to the public. A full list can be seen via the publications area at the top right of this page.
Please click in the links to access the following documents:
Allocation plan and supporting documents
Methods used to estimate total surface water use and agricultural demand in the Whicher area
Publish Date: 21/12/2009
Whicher area surface water allocation plan
Publish Date: 29/09/2009
Whicher area surface water allocation plan : statement of response
Publish Date: 29/09/2009
Whicher surface water allocation limits : methodology : supporting information for the Whicher area surface water allocation plan
Publish Date: 30/07/2009
Ecological reports
Ecological water requirements of the Margaret River
Publish Date: 31/01/2011
Ecological values of seven South-West rivers : desktop review
Publish Date: 30/10/2008
Ecological water requirements of Cowaramup Brook
Publish Date: 29/01/2010
The ecological water requirements of the Brunswick River
Publish Date: 15/07/2009
Ecological water requirement for Lefroy Brook
Publish Date: 01/02/2009
Social and cultural reports
The social values of South West water resources [prepared for Department of Water]
Publish Date: 01/06/2009
Margaret River, Wilyabrup Brook, Cowaramup Brook and Chapman Brook : issue scoping report
Publish Date: 22/10/2008
Capel River : surface water management : issue scoping report
Publish Date: 26/09/2008
Hydrological reports (or hydrogeological)
Estimation of sustainable diversion limits for South West Western Australian catchments : regionalisation of sustainable diversion limits for catchments
Publish Date: 01/01/2009
Approach for determining sustainable diversion limits for South West Western Australia
Publish Date: 09/09/2008
Capel River hydrology summary
Publish Date: 01/07/2008
Cowaramup Brook hydrology summary
Publish Date: 01/07/2008
Margaret River hydrology summary
Publish Date: 01/07/2008
Wilyabrup Brook hydrology summary
Publish Date: 01/07/2008
Impacts of farm dams in seven catchments in Western Australia
Publish Date: 01/11/2007
Surface hydrology of the cape to cape region of Western Australia
Publish Date: 01/03/2007
Further information
For licensing information, please contact the our South West Regional office in Bunbury. Phone 08 9726 4111, or visit the Water regions website.
For planning information, please contact the Department of Water's Water Allocation Planning branch. Phone 08 6364 7600 or email allocation.planning@water.wa.gov.au.