April 13, 2026
The Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (CMA) have released the draft Wimmera Water Strategy – a new 10-year action plan for rivers, streams, wetlands and their floodplains – for public consultation.
The draft Wimmera Waterway Strategy is a plan that helps waterway managers and the community look after Wimmera waterways. The strategy will benefit waterway health, fish and other wildlife, and people who use and enjoy waterways.
This will be the third waterway strategy for the Wimmera. It will update and replace the Wimmera Waterway Strategy 2014 and reflects catchment changes since 2014 and priorities of the Wimmera community.
According to Wimmera CMA, it provides a roadmap for waterway management which aims to create a ‘healthy’ catchment that supports environmental, economic, social, and cultural values.
The draft Wimmera Waterway Strategy includes:
- Wimmera waterways and their importance to the community including environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits they provide.
- Threats and challenges that may impact the waterways.
- A 10-year plan for contributing progress towards achieving the Wimmera region’s:
i) Long-term vision for water, land and biodiversity.
ii) Long-term (>20-year) and medium-term (<10-year) desired outcomes for waterways that contribute to achieving this vision. - Priority areas for implementing management actions to achieve desired outcomes.
A separate Implementation Plan will include the management actions required for achieving the region’s desired outcomes for waterways.
A Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Implementation (MERI) Plan will set out how progress towards achieving management outcomes will be assessed as well as an evaluation process for the Strategy document.
Wimmera CMA have developed the draft Wimmera Water Strategy following contributions from community members and partner organisations during 2025.
The CMA now seeks public feedback on the draft Wimmera Waterway Strategy. Consultation closes 18 May 2026.
Have Your Say
Complete the online contact form and let Wimmera CMA know your thoughts on the draft Wimmera Waterway Strategy.
