The Water Allocation Plans for the Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges have been reviewed and are now being amended.

The process to amend these plans began in 2025 and is expected to continue through to 2029, resulting in updated Water Allocation Plans for both regions.

This is an important opportunity to reflect on how water is shared and used across our catchments, and how different uses collectively affect natural flow paths, farms and aquatic ecosystems. Healthy creeks and rivers support native species, productive landscapes and resilient communities, and achieving this relies on shared solutions.

Supporting sustainable water use into the future may involve practical changes on the ground, as well as ongoing conversations about how we value and manage water across our communities.

Planning for climate change is also essential, as rainfall patterns shift and water availability becomes less predictable.

Throughout the amendment process, all water licensing business will continue as usual. The Department for Environment and Water remains your key contact for all licensing matters.

How do the plans get amended?

Amending the Mount Lofty Ranges plans is a staged, multi‑year process. New science information will become available over time, and that evidence, alongside community knowledge and values, will help shape future management options. No decisions have been made yet, and this work will progress in steps, with opportunities for discussion and input along the way.

The section below explains what we’ve learned so far, how the amendment process works and how you can stay involved.

The Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plans are legal documents that provide the regulatory framework for responsible, fair and equitable water allocations for users of surface, watercourse and ground water resources, whilst supporting the health of our landscapes and ecosystems.

The water allocation plan must be reviewed within 10 years of adoption to ensure it is still effectively managing the risks to the water resource, the environment and the community. Reviews on the existing Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges WAPs took place between 2022 - 2024 and found they are no longer fit for purpose, as they rely on outdated rainfall data, do not reflect increased climate variability, and are based on an unsustainable water balance.

Amending the process is a complex, multi-year process underpinned by community and cultural values, new knowledge, data and science.

The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board is responsible for the review and amendment of the Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plans (WAPs) in accordance with the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. The implementation of the plans is a shared responsibility with the Department for Environment and Water.