Barossa Water Plan Aims to Mitigate Reduced Allocation Risks

Strategic Insights -

The Barossa Valley faces a water supply crisis due to lower rainfall, prompting the creation of an amended water allocation plan. The new plan aims to respond to environmental conditions and ensure the long-term sustainability of water supplies. To mitigate the risks of reduced allocation, the plan will provide a flexible management approach, enabling more responsive reviews and adjustments to allocations when trigger thresholds are reached.

Key Takeaways:

  • Preliminary modelling results indicate a reduction in resource capacity of at least 25 per cent, highlighting the precarious situation of the water supply.
  • The amended water allocation plan aims to provide a quicker response to environmental conditions, allowing the resource to recover quickly and remain sustainable for the future.
  • The plan will protect water availability for all users, with flexibility and adaptability to current environmental conditions and climatic influences.
  • The new plan will be based on water monitoring data collected between December and February each year.
  • The plan's trigger thresholds will be assessed, and a management response will be recommended to the Environment Minister in March next year.
  • Barossa residents and water users can provide input on the amended plan during the public consultation period, which will be open until the end of August.
  • Eden Valley grape grower Leon Deans, chairperson of the Barossa WAP advisory group, stressed the need for industry to adapt to declining rainfall and take action to preserve water supplies.
  • Farmer Jane Evans highlighted the unique challenges faced by the Eden Valley region, which relies on groundwater and surface water resources.
  • The Evans' family operation, which includes prime lamb, wool, and Angus cattle, has been impacted by the dry conditions, with water storage dams currently at a third of capacity.

Statistics:

  • At least 25 per cent reduction in resource capacity, based on preliminary modelling results.
  • The driest year on record for the Barossa Valley, with consequences for rainfall recharge and surface water runoff.
  • 150 community members attended the community water forum in 2019, which led to community feedback on how to better manage water resources.
  • The Evans' family operation has had to destock early due to water scarcity, with numbers down to less than half of normal livestock numbers.
  • Water monitoring data will be collected between December and February each year to inform the amended water allocation plan.

Sources:

  • Paula Thompson, "Barossa water plan may result in reduced allocation, concern over water supply", Barossa light Commercial
  • Jane Evans, Eden Valley farmer, and technical facilitator with the Barossa Improved Grazing Group
  • Tony Fox, Northern and Yorke Landscape Board general manager