Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy

The first Western Region SWS was finalised in 2011. A new Western Region SWS provides the opportunity to consider climate changes, drought, changes to agriculture and water management. The new Western Region SWS will consider new information to set clear long-term direction for water policy and infrastructure across the region.

Sustainable Water Strategies (SWSs) are an important way that water agencies, partners, Traditional Owners, stakeholders and the community can consider and shape plans to manage our water supplies into a drier and warmer future. Some of the issues likely to be considered in a new Western Region SWS include:

water supplies for livestock farms (including dairy industry) during droughts.
access to water for Traditional Owners.
alternative water supplies such as stormwater and recycled wastewater.
flows for waterways during dry conditions.
efficient water infrastructure to reduce losses from seepage and evaporation.
trends in water availability and likely water demands.
water licencing and trade.

DEECA is managing the development of the Western Region SWS which involves several steps and includes working groups to provide technical and policy input as well as providing other avenues for groups and individuals to contribute to the new Western Region SWS. A Western Region SWS Scoping Paper has been released (feedback closed on 30 August 2026), a draft WRSWS is planned for mid 2027 with a strategy finalised late 2027.

Food & Fibre Great South Coast made a submission on the Scoping Paper. Read our submission here.

Complete our Farmer Water Use and Challenges Survey

The survey asks farmers about their location, farming activities, water sources and current water-related challenges. Responses will help Food & Fibre Great South Coast represent regional farming needs and priorities in its submissions and advocacy to the Victorian Government’s Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy. The survey should take about 5 minutes.