Emergency farmland water response plans provide a six step process for farmers to follow in the event that water is sought from off-farm sources and outline the requirements leading to a declaration under the government's "Water Deficiency Declaration" policy. Existing plans developed in collaboration with shire councils in dryland regions can be sited below.
Plans for other shire in dryland farming districts are progressively being developed.
A declaration of 'water deficiency' is a government response to safeguard the commercial interests of farmers during very dry periods, when five or more farmers within a 20 km radius require water from an off-farm source and have to travel an unreasonable distance. A declaration requires the government to provide water supplies for livestock purposes within 40 km of their farm.
The process leading to a declaration of 'water deficiency' involves a local government making a formal request to the Department of Water who then, after consulting with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Rural Water Advisory Committee, make a recommendation to the Minister for Water.
A copy of the "water deficiency" declaration guidelines can be sited by clicking on the link to the right.