Emergency farmland water response planning and water deficiency arrangements
Emergency farmland water response plans outline a six step process for farmers to follow in the event that water is needed from off-farm sources.
The plans also highlight the process for the approval of a declaration under the government's Water Deficiency Declaration guidelines.
Water deficiency declarations
A 'water deficiency declaration' is a government response to safeguard the commercial interests of farmers during very dry periods. A declaration occurs when a group of five or more farmers, within a 20-kilometre radius, require water from an off-farm source and have to travel greater than a 40-kilometre radius from their farm to get this. In extreme circumstances, water may be provided for individual famers.
A declaration requires the government to provide water for livestock needs at a central storage point, within a 40-kilometre radius of the farms concerned.
The process leading to a declaration of 'water deficiency' involves a local government making a formal request to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation which, after consulting with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, makes a recommendation to the Minister for Water.
Further information regarding the process is contained within the water deficiency declaration guidelines.
Copies of existing emergency farmland water response plans are available from the adjacent links. Plans for other shires in dryland farming districts are progressively being developed.
Contact us
For more information call 1800 780 300 or email ruralwater@dwer.wa.gov.au.
