The state government understands the climate change challenges faced by the horticultural producers in the Warren-Donnelly region and is committed to providing support.
In October 2022, the Southern Forests Irrigation Reference Group was appointed to provide advice on measures to deliver water security to the Warren-Donnelly horticulture industry.
In response to the group’s recommendations, the state government will co-fund projects that:
- improve water security for horticulture businesses
- provide benefits to the broader Warren-Donnelly community
- consider the water needs of the environment.
Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme
The scheme enables eligible landowners to construct suitable infrastructure on their property that will provide better water security and improve sustainability.
It is currently supporting 69 local horticulture businesses improve water security and climate resilience. The Manjimup-Pemberton growers will share in $4.28 million to upgrade a range of on-farm irrigation systems and devices that improve water use efficiency.
The funding will assist growers to co-invest in sprinklers, drippers, automation systems and software, as well as water management devices, such as probes and water meters, or measures to reduce evapotranspiration, like bird or crop netting.
The measures will support growers’ efforts to build stronger, more sustainable operations that can endure climate variability - ultimately supporting WA’s food security.
The Southern Forests is an important supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables, producing 67% of Western Australia’s avocados, kiwi fruit and processing potatoes, 61% of WA apples and 35% of seed potatoes.
View information on the scheme
Key recommendations from the Southern Forests Irrigation Reference Group
Communities in the Manjimup-Pemberton region, particularly in the Warren-Donnelly catchment, will soon benefit from water monitoring upgrades that will support public access to real-time streamflow data and improve the accuracy of collected water data.
The $2 million investment will assist growers as they adapt to the impacts of climate change, and seek strengthened understanding of streamflow trends and rainfall runoff through:
- upgrading up to 19 existing streamflow gauging stations with new technology to enable access to real-time river height and streamflow data.
- repairing and reinstating water monitoring infrastructure and instrumentation at the Record Brook gauging station and other research catchments, to strengthen streamflow monitoring in forested areas.
- installing two new water monitoring stations within cleared agriculture catchments, as well as 20 new farm dam monitoring stations, to boost scientific understanding of water use and capture from farm dams.
- reviewing and upgrading existing groundwater monitoring infrastructure across the Warren-Donnelly catchment.
Water security is essential to horticultural production in the Manjimup-Pemberton region. This investment will provide growers with greater certainty and transparency in the management of the important resource.
A new Doppler radar will be installed in the Manjimup-Pemberton region to provide growers with more detailed and timely data on rainfall intensity, and wind speed and direction, enabling them to make more informed production decisions to assist their operations.
It will also benefit regional businesses, residents and emergency services providers who will have access to timely and useful rainfall and wind information.
This $4.29 million commitment from the Australian Government is in addition to the state government's $4 million funding allocation from the wider $16 million investment to improve water security for horticultural growers in the region.
When ready, the Doppler radar information will be updated every six minutes on this website and the Bureau of Meteorology website, making it easily accessible to the wider community.
Work is currently underway to determine the best site for the Doppler radar, and the final technical and design specifications.
Contact us
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Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme team