Bushfire recovery support and resources now available for land managers affected by the Deep Creek and Nangkita fires.
Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan
Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan
Water is essential to life, livelihoods and the environment.
To make sure there’s enough to go around, now and into the future, we need to manage it carefully. Water Allocation Plans (WAPs) help provide that certainty. They set out clear rules for how water can be shared, balancing the needs of people, industry and the environment, while supporting long-term sustainability.
The Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan is built on strong scientific research and shaped through extensive community consultation. It reflects both the best available knowledge and the views of local water users.
You can download the plan below to learn more.
Updating the Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plans
The water allocation plans for the Mount Lofty Ranges are now being revised. Find out what’s changing, how the process works, and how you can have your say.
Frequently asked questions
The Western Mount Lofty Ranges Prescribed Water Resources Area stretches from Gawler in the north to Middleton and Cape Jervis on the south coast. It also includes four key watercourses across the Adelaide Plains: the Gawler, Little Para, Torrens and Onkaparinga rivers.
The Water Allocation Plan was developed by the former Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, in close collaboration with the community.
Community-based advisory committees from the Fleurieu, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale regions played a key role in shaping the plan. Their members brought a wide range of experience across industries, interests and regions, helping to develop policies that balanced social, economic and environmental needs.
Water Allocation Plans are reviewed at least every 10 years to ensure they continue to meet the needs of both the community and the environment. Following the 2024 review, the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan is now being revised.
Find out what’s changing, how the process works, and how you can have your say.
The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, together with the Department for Environment and Water, continually monitor the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Prescribed Water Resources Area.
The results contribute to regular groundwater and surface water status reports, which help guide the review and update of Water Allocation Plans.