Warren-Donnelly surface water allocation plan progress report

• Second evaluation statement for the Warren-Donnelly surface water allocation plan released
• Statement outlines progress to date and upcoming challenges due to climate change
• Warren-Blackwood  MLA Jane Kelsbie appointed as new Chair of the Warren Donnelly Water Advisory Committee

The State Government has released the latest evaluation of the 2012 Warren-Donnelly surface water allocation plan, whichoutlineswork completed and future challenges posed by the impacts of climate change.

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation reviewed recent information on rainfall, streamflow, allocation status and environmental values in the Warren-Donnelly region to inform their evaluation of the plan.

The evaluation has found that the key objectives of the Warren-Donnelly surface water allocation plan are being met, and water flow regimes that support water users, public water supply and the environment are broadly sufficient.

However, the statement also highlighted the challenge of continuing to meet water resource management objectives in the next 10-15 years, in a warmer and drier climate.

Annual streamflow has declined 30-70 per cent in the Warren-Donnelly area over the past two decades compared to streamflow in the 1980s and 1990s. The South West of Western Australia has also experienced declining rainfall since 1970, particularly in autumn and early winter.

These changes have placed increasing pressure on surface water resources in the Warren-Donnelly region.

To address this, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has commenced work on a new Warren-Donnelly surface water allocation plan. The new water allocation plan will be informed by contemporary science, including recent streamflow monitoring and Bureau of Meteorology's climate change projections.

The Warren Donnelly Water Advisory Committee will have a key role in providing guidance and oversight to State Government during the development of the new Warren-Donnelly surface water allocation plan. 

Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie, has been appointed the new Chair of the Committee.

The new Warren-Donnelly water allocation plan will be developed in consultation with key stakeholder groups in the Warren-Donnelly region, and it will include a review of the water resource objectives for the area.

For future updates on the development of the next water allocation plan, please email allocation.planning@dwer.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"We have commenced the process for developing the next water allocation plan for the Warren-Donnelly area. 

"Reductions in rainfall and streamflow have been observed over recent years and the data indicates that climate change will continue to reduce the availability of water across this region.

"This community is therefore faced with both a challenge and an opportunity to explore approaches to increase water security and resilience under a drying climate.

"I welcome the appointment of the Member for Warren-Blackwood as the new Chair of the Warren-Donnelly Water Advisory Committee, and I look forward to working with her and the Committee as the development of this new plan progresses." 

Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

"The Warren Donnelly Water Advisory Committee provides advice and input to State Government on surface water management in this region and I look forward to contributing to this important work as the new Chair."

"Being involved in community consultation on regional water resource planning and management will be my priority."