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Sustainable Water Strategies

Sustainable Water Strategies (SWS) secure a region’s long-term water supply. They can identify threats to water availability and water quality.

They also include policies and actions to better manage and respond to those threats that helps:

  • water users
  • water corporations
  • catchment management authorities (CMAs).

Existing sustainable water strategies

There are 3 regional sustainable water strategies for Victoria:

  1. Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy – 2022
  2. Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy – 2009
  3. Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy – 2011

A new Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy is in development.

Implementing sustainable water strategies

Our department leads the implementation of sustainable water strategies in partnership with:

  • the water sector
  • Traditional Owners
  • the community.

We undertake annual monitoring and reporting on the implementation of SWS actions.

Reviewing sustainable water strategies

The Water Act 1989 requires a review of SWSs after 10 years. Reviews provide an opportunity to identify if the SWS has met the timelines and targets.

The Water for Victoria program identified the opportunity to complete 5-yearly assessments of Sustainable Water Strategies. The 5-yearly assessments help identify any key trends and issues for any future review.

Next steps

The 3 regional sustainable water strategies are current and remain current until the development of future strategies in the regions.

Annual monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the SWS actions will continue.

The strategies

Central and Gippsland region

Learn more about the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy.

Image of a map the central and Gippsland region of Vi
Central and Gippsland region sustainable water strategy map

The map shows the central and Gippsland regions of Victoria with key waterways.

The the left of the map, Colac, Geelong and Ballarat are marked. The paths of the Barwon, Moorabool and Werrebee Rivers are shown.

In the centre of the map is Melbourne and the Maribyrnong and Yarra rivers.

In the Gippsland region to the east, Lance Creek, Korumburra. Traralgon, Sale, Bairnsdale and Orbost are mark. Rivers shown from east to west are the Bunyip, Latrobe, Thomson, Mitchell, Tambo and Snowy.

Download image

Northern region

Learn more about the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy.

Image of map of Victoria with the northern region of the state highlighted.
Northern region sustainable water strategy map

Western region

Learn more about the exitsing Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy.

Image of state of Victoria with the western region highlighted.
Western region sustainable water strategy map

Find out more about the strategies

If you have questions or want to learn about these strategies contact us.

Page last updated: 29/10/26