In July 2025, the Victorian Premier announced the development of a new Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy (the strategy), a long-term water planning document required under the Water Act 1989.
The development of a new strategy has begun as part of wider drought assistance measures in recognition of the recent drought and dry conditions impacting much of western Victoria.
Water supports a range of economic, cultural, environmental and social values throughout western Victoria.
A new strategy provides an opportunity for the community, water sector agencies, Traditional Owners and stakeholders, such as farming and environmental groups to discuss and plan for the region’s water needs to support these values.
We also need to consider balancing our water resources to support these values as we progress to a warmer and drier future.
In recent years we have seen:
- dry seasonal conditions affecting different parts of western Victoria
- new policies such as Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access for Water Roadmap to develop outcomes to increase Traditional Owner management of water and waterways
- additional infrastructure to improve water availability and efficiency of water infrastructure systems and
- increased understanding of climate change impacts.
The new strategy will consider these factors and what actions can be taken to address them such as improved infrastructure, policies, or management arrangements. It will build on the actions and achievements of the 2011 Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy.
Details about the 2011 strategy can be found in this stocktake report:
The strategy will be developed through working closely with representatives of groups, agencies and community members in western Victoria to understand local perspectives and develop place-based approaches.
More information about the process is available here:
Community members will also be invited to contribute to the strategy’s development. Opportunities to input include providing a submission to the scoping paper and draft strategy when they are released in 2026 and 2027.
It is anticipated that the final strategy will be completed in late 2027.
If you want to learn more about the strategy and receive updates on progress, contact the SWS team: sws.team@deeca.vic.gov.au.
Page last updated: 16/12/25