Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plans Review and Amendment
A water allocation plan (WAP) is a legal document that outlines how water resources can be used fairly and sustainably for communities, industries, and the environment.
In the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges (EMLR) and Western Mount Lofty Ranges (WMLR), surface water, groundwater and watercourses are prescribed and regulated with WAPs.
The 2013 Water Allocation Plans for the Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges underwent comprehensive reviews from 2022 to 2023, identifying necessary amendments for both plans.
These key findings and learnings will inform amendments required to the Water Allocation Plans to ensure a sustainable future for our region’s water resources.
- Read the full review report for the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan
- Read the full review report for the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan
- Read the regional catchment summaries that informed the conversations
- Download our WAP Review engagement process and key findings infographic
About the Mount Lofty Ranges WAP Regions
The Prescribed Water Area covered by the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges (EMLR) Water Allocation Plan (WAP) extends from Mount Pleasant in the north to Goolwa in the south and includes the townships of Mt Barker, Langhorne Creek, Mannum and Mount Compass. Its watercourses flow into the River Murray and Lake Alexandrina.
The Prescribed Water Area covered by the Western Mount Lofty Ranges (WMLR) Water Allocation Plan (WAP) extends from Gawler in the north, to Middleton and across to Cape Jervis on the south coast and includes four watercourses across the Adelaide Plains (the Gawler, Little Para, Torrens and Onkaparinga rivers).
2013 WAP key successes
The review found that the 2013 WAPs were successful in:
- Establishing a framework for water licensing and trading.
- Introducing additional controls on the development of dams.
- Proposing strategies to mitigate the impact of dams on catchment flows.
WAP Review Community and Stakeholder Engagement Process
Key learnings of the WAP Review
- Groundwater resources are currently stable in most areas.
- Water-dependent ecosystems are declining in many parts of the region due to altered flow patterns caused by water storages and water diversions.
- Water resources are over-allocated in many areas.
- Climate change is influencing the timing and quantity of rainfall. This requires updated data and analysis methods.
- First Nations involvement in planning process is crucial for progress.
- More information and new approaches need to be explored to manage forestry and stock and domestic water use in future.
Next Steps: Amendment Phase
The amendment phase has commenced and will involve detailed technical investigations to address knowledge gaps and will also include significant community engagement, including:
- Forming Water Allocation Plan Advisory Committees (WAPACs).
- Consulting targeted interest groups.
- Engaging with communities in the Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges.
We are mindful that water users need to be kept informed of the process and any changes that could impact their businesses so that they can plan and make informed decisions. Throughout the process we will ensure to communicate:
- clear information about any imminent changes so that it enables forward planning for water users,
- how the changes might impact water users,
- the types and scale / extent of amendments that are required,
- the type and source of information and evidence that will be used to address knowledge gaps during the amendment process, and
- the intended outcomes of any amendments (i.e. how the balance between environment, business and social values/needs are weighted).
We will continue engaging with communities and interest/business groups as our understanding grows and can be applied. As the amendment process continues, we encourage you to stay informed and participate in upcoming opportunities.
For more information, contact our Water Team via email at HFWaterTeam@sa.gov.au
The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board is responsible for the review and amendment of the Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plans (WAPs) in accordance with the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. The implementation of the plans is a shared responsibility with the Department for Environment and Water.