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Planning the Water Future » Allocation Planning » Whicher

The Whicher plan area

SWGWA map

The Whicher area extends from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin and east to Nannup. It is in the south-west of Western Australia.

Whicher surface water

The Whicher area covers three surface water management areas: the Busselton Coast, Capel River, and Lower Blackwood.

The Margaret, Blackwood, and Capel Rivers are the largest rivers in the Whicher area. The surface water management areas are further divided into 52 management sub-areas, based on catchment boundaries of rivers and their smaller tributaries.

Water planning in the Whicher area

Go to plan

We have developed a draft plan for surface water resources in the Whicher area. The plan is now open for a three-month public comment period.

The department has also recently proclaimed some of the surface water resources in the Whicher area to increase management of water use and secure supply to users. Most freehold land in the Whicher area is now proclaimed and is subject to surface water licensing.

For more information on proclamation click here. To find out if you are in a proclaimed area please contact allocationplanning@water.wa.gov.au or your local Department of Water office.

Why has the department prepared a plan for the Whicher area?

There are a number of reasons why we need a plan for surface water in the Whicher area. These include increasing demands from expanding agriculture and viticulture industries, increasing water scarcity and the need to provide security of supply to users.

How can I make a submission on the Whicher plan?

The draft Whicher area surface water management plan is now open for public comment, until 5 pm Friday 19 September 2008.

Your input on our draft plan is important and we invite you to make a submission. Please email your comments to allocationplanning@water.wa.gov.au or post them to PO Box 261, Bunbury, WA, 6231.

How can I access information on Whicher that the department has produced?

We are committed to making our technical information that is used in the planning process available to the public.

Please click on the links to access the following reports:

  The Whicher area surface water management plan
Adobe Portable Document Format Whicher surface water allocation limits: methodology
This report details the methods we used to set surface water allocation limits in the Whicher area. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Whicher area surface water management plan: draft for public comment
The draft Whicher plan is now open for public comment until 5 pm Friday 19 September 2008. Please send your submissions to allocationplanning@water.wa.gov.au or to South West Region, PO Box 261, Bunbury WA 6231. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Summary of the draft Whicher area surface water management plan
This brochure provides summary information on the draft Whicher plan. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Draft Whicher plan: frequently asked questions
This brochure provides answers to the main questions raised by the Whicher community. 
 

  Social reports
Adobe Portable Document Format Capel River – Surface water management: issue scoping report
Prepared by Beckwith Environmental Planning for the Department of Water. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Margaret River, Willyabrup Brook, Cowaramup Brook and Chapman Brook – Surface water management: issue scoping report
Prepared by Beckwith Environmental Planning for the Department of Water. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Whicher area surface water management plan: draft for public comment
The draft Whicher plan is now open for public comment until 5 pm Friday 19 September 2008. Please send your submissions to allocationplanning@water.wa.gov.au or to South West Region, PO Box 261, Bunbury WA 6231. 
 

  Hydrology and modelling reports
Adobe Portable Document Format Approach for determining sustainable diversion limits for South West Western Australia (part 1)
This report outlines the approach used to develop sustainable diversion limits for the south west of Western Australia. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Capel River Hydrology
This report provides a summary of the surface hydrology of Capel River  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Cowaramup Brook Hydrology Summary
This report provides a summary of the surface hydrology of Cowaramup Brook. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Estimation of sustainable diversion limits for South West Western Australian catchments (part 2)
This report outlines the approach used to develop sustainable diversion limits for the south west of Western Australia. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Margaret River Hydrology
This report provides a summary of the surface water hydrology of Margaret River  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Surface Hydrology of the Cape-to-Cape Region of Western Australia
This report provides a summary of the surface hydrology in the Cape-to-Cape region of Western Australia, focusing on surface water management sub-areas in the local government authorities of Augusta-Margaret River, Busselton, Capel and Nannup. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Wilyabrup Brook hydrology
This report provides a summary of the surface hydrology of Wilyabrup Brook. 
 

Further information

For licensing information, please contact the South West Regional office in Bunbury. Phone 08 9726 4111.

For planning information, please contact the Department of Water’s Water Allocation Planning branch. Phone 08 6364 7600 or email allocationplanning@water.wa.gov.au.