Update on the Victorian Western Region Water Strategy

The deadline for public submissions to the Draft Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy has been extended to 5pm, Monday 21 June 2010.

The Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy Consultative Committee chair, Darryl Argall, said the one month extension had been granted to give householders, farmers, businesses and stakeholder groups more of a chance to study the draft and have a say. The Draft Strategy has been presented to a series of forums throughout the Western Region, including Hamilton, Warrnambool, Colac, Horsham and St Arnaud. These well attended forums have highlighted the need for creating more water security for the future.

Feedback from the forums has included concern that the initial consultation period was not long enough.

Mr Argall said initial feedback had included concern over climate change, and a desire to work through the proposals to increase water security.

About the Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy

The Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy (SWS) is one of four regional strategies being developed by the Victorian Government to secure water resources for the next 50 years. The Strategy will respond to pressures facing water resources including climate change, drought and landuse change.

Ultimately, the Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy will aim to provide water security for urban and rural water users, our rivers and aquifers in the Western Region.

The Western Region covers agricultural and urban centres including Colac, Port Campbell, Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Portland. River basins include the Otway Coast, Corangamite, Hopkins, Glenelg, Portland, Millicent, Wimmera, Avoca and the southern half of the Mallee.

Download the draft strategy here.