Our role
The South Coast Region extends from Broke Inlet, west of Walpole, through to Cape Arid, east of Esperance, and includes all of the southerly flowing river catchments. It has more than 25 estuaries which are recognised internationally for their values, many notable wetlands and several pristine rivers.
The South Coast region has some 25 staff, managed by the regional manager Naomi Arrowsmith. The Regional office is based in Albany, from where the range of the DoW's functions is primarily delivered.
The work is delivered through the following team and program structures:
Water Planning and Allocation:
- groundwater and surface water allocation
- Water Licensing and
- resource planning.
Water Resources Management:
- water quality and Salinity Management
- waterways protection and enhancement
- land use planning and development
- waterways Planning
- river care and
- land management.
Water Information:
- Water Resources Information
- Hydrography and
- information collection, management and analysis.
Regional management:
- regional communication
- business processes and policy
- branch management
- great southern regional water plan and
- administration.
Key activities for 2008/2009
Salinity Measurement and Evaluation:
- operation of monitoring sites in relation to Salinity Recovery and Salinity Engineering projects and
- salinity recovery Denmark and Kent.
Interagency Working:
- provision to Wilson Inlet Management Advisory Group and
- support to SCRIPT, Wilson Inlet Catchment Group and other strategic NRM Groups.
South Coast Licensing and Compliance:
- undertake licensing of seven groundwater areas including Water Corporation licensing and
- undertake water use surveys and compliance and enforcement activity.
Wetland Management Program for South Coast
Land Use Planning Regional Delivery
Regional Water Allocation Planning:
- South Coast Water allocation planning program
- investigation of environmental water requirements for Marbellup Brook, Esperance Groundwater and Denmark River and
- Sub-Regional Planning - Long term strategic planning of water management in the Albany and Esperance areas.
Data Collection and Information Management:
- Water Information Collection: measurement and maintenance of groundwater and surface water reference networks
- wetland mapping, classification and evaluation for Albany and Esperance hinterlands
- research to better understand waterway ecological values across the whole of the Region
- wetland monitoring of rivers, wetlands and estuaries on the south coast;
- specific wetland investigations, and provide information to the community and
- rivercare foreshore surveys, river restoration works, and education.
Estuary Management Plans:
- implementation of estuary plans for Torbay and Wilson Inlets and
- preparation of estuary management plans for high value high threat estuaries.
Developing and Implementing Water Resource Recovery and Protection Plans:
- preparation of Source Protection Plans to protect key public drinking water source areas of Marbellup, Denmark, Bremer and Walpole
- implementation of a Recovery Plan for the Denmark Catchments and
- prepare and assist in preparation of water protection educational brochures.
Key contacts
South Coast Regional Office
The Department of Water
5 Bevan Street
ALBANY WA 6330
Postal Address:
PO Box 525
ALBANY WA 6330
Ph: (08) 9842 5760
Fax: (08) 9842 1204