Western Australia has a history of drought and drying climate, and it is vital that effective, community identified solutions are developed to mitigate its effects.
Drought is a feature of current and future climate change impacts.
The Future Drought Fund (FDF) set up by the Australian Government invests $100 million annually into projects across Australia to strengthen regional drought resilience.
The Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) Program is one of eight foundational programs under the FDF and was delivered in three pilot regions (Mid West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern) in partnership with the WA State Government.
The program supported regional organisations, local government, communities and industry to partner to develop Regional Drought Resilience Plans.
Mid West pilot region
The Commission partnered with NACC NRM, DPIRD and three local governments (Greater Geraldton, Chapman Valley and Northampton) to develop its plan, to identify and guide actions to build the pilot areas’ resilience to future droughts, with a focus on agriculture and allied industries.
A detailed Drought Vulnerability Assessment (DVA) was undertaken to explore aspects of exposure, sensitivity, impact and adaptive capacity and how these affect vulnerability and resilience to drought in the region.
Developing the DVA involved regional organisations, local government, academic professionals, community, industry and other key drought stakeholders coming together to share and consolidate experience, scientific data, local knowledge and expertise.
With the added contribution of technical and project advisory groups, the DVA formed the foundation for the Plan.
The Commission has completed the Regional Drought Resilience Pilot Plan for the Northern Wheatbelt of the Mid West region. The Plan was reviewed by CSIRO on behalf of Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for consideration and implementation funding.
Mid West (North Midlands) plan
The North Midlands RDRP Plan will include the Shires of; Carnamah, Coorow, Irwin, Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, Three Springs.