New strategy to support water security for Barossa – consultation underway
20 May 2022In a first for South Australia, a 30 year water security strategy has been developed for Barossa.
The strategy will support the region's current demand and incremental future growth and help industries and communities adapt to a changing climate. Consultation is now underway on the strategy.
Recent water scarcity has highlighted the need for long-term planning around water security, especially in the context of a warming and drying climate.
The strategy was developed throughout 2021 in collaboration with Barossa Valley and Eden Valley communities and sets out a shared vision and actions to achieve a water-secure future.
The process to develop the strategy involved considering future uncertainties facing the region, including climate change, their impact on water supply and demand, and explored options and actions that could address future challenges. Strategic actions have been stress-tested against climate projections to ensure the most robust actions are included the strategy.
The strategy development process builds on from traditional water allocation planning processes and allows new supplies, expansion of existing supplies and changing demand profiles to be considered in the context of a changing climate.
“The strategy development complements existing water-related projects underway and brings together the different understandings of water use, alternative recycled water supply, and availability in Barossa to form a robust long-term plan to meet the needs of the Barossa in the future,” commented James March, Chief Executive, Barossa Australia.
The process has been led by the Department for Environment and Water in partnership with PIRSA, SA Water, the Environment Protection Authority, Northern & Yorke Landscape Board, Barossa Australia, Barossa Infrastructure Limited (BIL), The Barossa Council, Light Regional Council, RDA Barossa Gawler Light and Adelaide Plains.
Feedback is being sought on the strategy – to find out more and to provide your feedback, visit the Barossa Water Security Strategy on the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). Feedback is invited until Friday, 8 July 2022.
The strategy will be finalised later in 2022 after feedback has been considered.