Water resources in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges were recently prescibed. As a result, the Board is now working with the community to develop a water allocation plan for this region.
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Click on the map above to view
the area covered by the plan
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The plan, which is expected to be finalised in early 2009, is essential to protect the economic, social and environmental well-being of the WMLR for future generations and to provide secure and equitable access to water for current and future use. The WAP will set out the rules for how precious water supply is allocated and how it can be transferred.
The WMLR watershed covers the western side of the Adelaide Hills, stretching from Gawler in the north to the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in the south and includes the Gawler, Torrens and Onkaparinga rivers as they cross the Adelaide Plains.
Frequently asked questions
- September 08. These frequently asked questions have been developed to assist in answering some of the questions that have been raised by community members during the development of the plan. Download Q and A document here.
Discussion Papers
Nine discussion papers examining the future of a Water Allocation Plan for the Western Mount Lofty Ranges were released for public comment in October. The papers have been prepared by the Board, which is working with local communities and the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation to develop the Water Allocation Plan (WAP).
The discussion papers cover a range of topics including environmental water requirements, permits for new dams, well permits, forestry, aquifer storage and recovery, recycled and imported water and roof runoff. Submissions on the discussion papers closed on 2 November 2007.
Download the discussion papers here:
1. Introduction to the Discussion Papers (315 kb)
2. Understanding Water Resources (1mg)
3. Environmental Water Requirements and Provisions (370 kb)
4. Permits for New Dams (544 kb)
5. Well Permits (531 kb)
6. Forestry in the WMLR (311 kb)
7. Managing Aquifer Storage and Recovery (606 kb)
8. Recycled and Imported Water (192 kb)
9. Roof Runoff (262)
October 07 community meetings
Community meetings were held across the region from October 17 to 23 to give the community the opportunity to consider the discussion papers. During these meetings a range of questions were asked and issues were discussed. These issues are now being considered and more information and answers will be placed on this website after they Water Resources Committee and the Water Allocation Committees have had a chance to deliberate. Below are the raw notes that were taken from the various meetings:
Discussion Paper Feedback
The number of Discussion Paper response sheets returned varied between 34 and 52 for each topic.
The response sheets received generally comprised:
» 80% from the Central Hills area
» 10% from the Fleurieu area
» 5% from the McLaren Vale area
» 5% from the city area or anonymous
11 written submissions were also received with comments on various aspects of the discussion paper package.
The results below are a summary of the response sheets received as of 10 December 2007. In addition to these results, there were many comments given in the provided areas on each Discussion Paper. These have been collated and have provided valuable feedback in both general and local terms for consideration in managing water affecting activities in the Water Allocation Plan.
Discussion Paper Response Sheet Summary (81 kb)
Read the latest media releases
Proposed licensing of rainwater storages – The facts. - 9 October 2007 (70 kb)
Special Water Allocation Plan meetings - 9 October 2007 (77 kb)
Water Allocation Plan discussion papers released - 28 September (81 kb)
Background information
The Minister for Environment and Conservation announced the prescription of the water resources of the Western Mount Lofty Ranges on 20 October 2005.
The Western Mount Lofty Ranges area stretches from Gawler in the north to Middleton in the south, and includes Fleurieu Peninsula and the main channels of the Gawler, Torrens and Onkaparinga Rivers, as they cross the Adelaide Plain. See below to download a copy of Concept Statement or telephone 8271 9190.
Download - Water Allocation Plan Information (288 Kb PDF File)
Download - Summary of submissions to the Concept Statement (64 Kb PDF File)
Download - Revised Concept Statement (504 Kb PDF File)
A series of three open house science forums were held during February 2007 to present to the community the science behind the development of the Water Allocation Plan (WAP) in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges.
These forums follow the release of a series of Information Sheets that were sent to existing water users and representative organisations during December.
The Information Sheets provide some background scientific and technical information about the status of the natural resources in the Western Mt Lofty Ranges.
Download the fact sheets here:
Covering Fact Sheet (1.6 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 1 - Water resources and how they interact (3.51 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 2 - Dams and reservoirs (5.13 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 3 - Underground water in the central hills (7.32 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 4 - Underground water in the Fleurieu (6.37 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 5 - Aquatic life (13.1 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 6 - Aquatic life in the central hills (4.03 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 7 - Aquatic life in the Fleurieu (3.11 Mb PDF File)
Fact Sheet Number 8 - Aquatic life in the McLaren Vales (3.2 Mb PDF File)
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