Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Plan

The Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Plan (WRRDRP) is a consortium collaboration lead by Narrandera Council between Griffith, Leeton, Murrumbidgee, and Narrandera Councils, and their communities. The consortium has been working together to advance the region’s resilience to the impacts of drought in the Western Riverina. The completed WRRDRP was endorsed in in November 2024.

Western-Riverina-RDRP.pdf(PDF, 5MB)

A stakeholder engagement program was developed and co-designed across each local government, which included a comprehensive in-region engagement program, supplemented by additional targeted conversations and bolstered by a community wide survey, for both community members and business operators. In addition to this stakeholder engagement, significant background research was undertaken to inform preparation of the Western Riverina Resilience Assessment.

Purpose of the Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Plan
The Western Riverina is unique in its drought context. Although susceptible to periods of drought, the irrigation schemes and regulation of the Murrumbidgee River differentiate the region from other parts of NSW. Water uncertainty was expressed by the community as the major factor affecting the region.

While the traditional characteristics of drought do affect the region, there are other influencing factors specific to the Western Riverina. Community engagement highlighted three kinds of ‘water uncertainty’ (see page 17 of the WRRDRP):

  • ‘Natural’ drought – which is the climate-related drought experienced across Australia, and involves a deficit in the level of rainfall occurring in region.
  • ‘Human-made’ drought – which is the lack of irrigation water due to government policy or out of-region water availability.
  • Operational constraints influences – which involves the infrastructure / asset-based constraints of scheme maintenance

    The effects of drought and any resilience initiative need to consider this broader context. The interplay of these factors creates uncertainty in the water landscape for this region. Whilst the irrigation schemes in the region have stabilised local and regional economic activity, water shortage and drought impacts can still be felt across the community.

     Building in programs ahead of drier times, and retaining services and support beyond when a drought breaks provides the basis for ongoing community functioning. Drought planning and resilience goes well beyond actual drought periods. Importantly, there are a range of stakeholders who play a role in drought resilience. Services and programs may be delivered at different levels of government or across organisations. Continuing to advocate for local programs that have worked, and a focus on what can be done better also remains a priority for the plan.

     The purpose of the plan is to:
     • Increase understanding of the region’s current and future drought resilience, considering the region’s unique economic, environmental, and social characteristics.
     • Recognise the interdependent nature of the local economy, community health and wellbeing and environmental sustainability through the drought cycle and across business types.
     • Understand local signals and drought priorities in the community’s voice.
     • Combine local knowledge with resilience and risk data and information to make informed decisions. Identify actions, pathways and opportunities to improve regional drought resilience, mitigate risks and adapt to change.
     • Help the Western Riverina Consortium of councils and regional organisations be in a stronger position to implement strategic actions and support partnerships that drive enhanced drought resilience
     • Develop concrete actions to address and mitigate short-term and long-term drought impact.

 

Back to top