Our role
The South Coast Region extends from Broke Inlet, west of Walpole, through to Cape Arid, east of Esperance, and includes all of the southerly flowing river catchments. It has more than 25 estuaries which are recognised internationally for their values, many notable wetlands and several pristine rivers.
The South Coast region has some 20 staff, managed by the regional manager Chris Gunby. The Regional office is based in Albany, from where the range of the DoW's functions is primarily delivered.
The work is delivered through the following teams:
Water Planning and Allocation:
- groundwater and surface water allocation
- water licensing and
- resource planning and development.
Water Resources Management:
- water quality management
- land use planning and development
- estuary and river management planning and implementation
- river care program
- water resource protectoin and recovery.
Water Information:
- measurement and hydrographic services
- water information collection, analysis and management
- estuary monitoring and mapping
Business management:
- business processes and policy
- branch management
- Great Southern regional water plan and
- administration.
Key activities for 2010/11
South Coast licensing and compliance:
- undertake licensing of seven groundwater areas including Water Corporation licensing and
- undertake water use surveys and compliance and enforcement activity
Land use planning regional delivery:
- assisting development
- advice on water resource protection
- stormwater guidance
- approvals under legislation
Regional water allocation planning:
- Implement Lower Great Southern Water Source Development Strategy
- Evaluate Water Corporation's new source proposals for public water supply in Albany, Denmark and Walpole
- Evaluate new source proposals for industry around the Albany area and guide planning for new source options for agriculture
- Undertake a desktop review of allocation limits in proclaimed groundwater areas
- Provide advice on sustainable diversions of water from surface water systems
Data collection and information management
- measurement and water information: operation and maintenance of the hydrometric reference network, collecting and verifying surface water, groundwater and meteorological information.
Estuary management plans
- implementation of estuary plans in partnership with community and other agencies for Albany harbours, Torbay, Wilson Inlet, Stokes, Culham, Wellstead and Walpole-Nornalup estuaries
- review of Wilson Inlet Action Plan
- provision of rivercare and river restoration advice and assistance and on-ground works in priority catchments
- provision of advice and approvals required under the Waterways Conservation Act
Salinity measurement and evaluation:
- operation of monitoring sites in relation to Salinity Recovery and Salinity Engineering projects and
- salinity recovery Denmark and Kent.
Developing and implementing water resource recovery and protection plans:
- preparation of source protection plans to protect key public drinking water source areas
- implementation of a recovery plan for the Denmark Catchments
Key contacts
South Coast Regional Office
The Department of Water
5 Bevan Street
ALBANY WA 6330
Postal Address:
PO Box 525
ALBANY WA 6330
Ph: (08) 9842 5760
Fax: (08) 9842 1204