Consistent with the Government's response to the Irrigation Review, the first regional plan will be developed for the South West Region.

The existing South West Regional Development Commission boundary will be used for this plan with a variation to take into account the northern boundary of the Harvey Irrigation district to Waroona.

The objectives of the South West Regional Water Plan are to:

• assess the Region's achievement towards meeting the objectives outlined in the Water Policy Framework;
• provide summary information to the community outlining existing water cycle management and issues in the Region and options to address these issues;
• improve the understanding and certainty of the community with respect to the future outlook of the amenities they enjoy from local water resources;
• demonstrate the ability of our water management framework to meet the needs of this rapidly growing Region; and
• determine actions to implement policies and outcomes in the South West Region.

A South West Water Forum has been convened to provide input into the Plan’s development. A community consultation program is also being developed to allow early community feedback into the Plan.

The South West Regional Water Plan will be developed at the same time as the State Water Plan. This is intended to allow the State Water Plan to evolve with feedback from this first Regional Water Plan.

At this time the Department is working towards publication of a public discussion paper on the South West Water Plan in November 2006. The anticipated date for release of the Draft South West Regional Water Plan for public comment is June 2007.