General News
18 February, 2026
Help shape the region’s water plan
THE development of a new Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy has begun in recognition of the drought and dry conditions impacting much of western Victoria.
Sustainable water strategies are an important opportunity for the community and stakeholders to shape plans to secure water supplies, improve efficient use of water and protect waterways and water values into a drier and warmer future.
The strategy will cover the western third of Victoria, extending from the south west coast, across the Wimmera and to the southern Mallee.
This includes the towns of Cobden, Timboon, Camperdown, Ballarat, Colac, Warrnambool, Portland, Port Campbell, Hamilton, Ouyen, Horsham, Avoca, Stawell, Ararat and Edenhope.
The region has a unique mix of agricultural and urban centres.
In the Corangamite region, the area extends to the Woady Yaloak and Gellibrand rivers in the east and through the inland Lake Corangamite basin, south to the coastal waterways of the Otway Ranges and west to the Curdies River and beyond to the border with Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
Community input is an important part of understanding local feedback, concerns, opportunities and water values.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) are seeking expressions of interest from community members who have knowledge and experience in water supply and quality matters to participate in working groups to guide development of the strategy.
Working groups are expected to meet approximately four to six times through to the end of 2027.
Meetings will be hybrid, with options for in person or online attendance.
Expressions of interest to participate in the working groups closes March 16, 2026.
To learn more about the strategy and how you can participate, including via the expression of interest process, email SWS.Team@deeca.vic.gov.au, visit water.vic.gov.au or contact DEECA’s Customer Service Centre 136 186.
Expressions of interest are now live on water.vic.gov.au.
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