The Advisory Committee was formed to oversee the preparation of a single groundwater management strategy for the West Wimmera Groundwater Management Area (GMA). The strategy will identify management issues and specify the actions to be taken in accordance with state water management policy and practice.

The West Wimmera GMA includes the existing Water Supply Protection Areas of Apsley, Neuarpurr, Kaniva and Telopea Downs, the Nhill GMA and the proposed Gymbowen GMA and surrounding areas.

A draft strategy for the sustainable long term management of groundwater in the West Wimmera region is currently being prepared by the Advisory Committee and is getting close to completion. The need for this strategy has arisen in relation to concerns about reducing levels in some parts of the region and the desire for new groundwater use in some other parts of the region. The strategy will make recommendations to the GWMWater Board on a range of matters. For more information please click here. Prior to presenting its recommendation to the Board, the draft strategy will be available for public comment. The public comment phase is due to occur in the first half of 2010 and will be widely advertised across the West Wimmera region.

To view West Wimmera GMA minutes please click here.

The Board appointed the following landowner representatives to the West Wimmera GMA Advisory Committee:

Telopea Downs GMA
Jim Fischer and Ron Hawkins

Kaniva GMA
Barry Williams and David Wallis

Neuarpurr GMA
Neil Ottoson and Charles Koch

Gymbowen GMA
Lester Maybery and Roma Sampson

Nhill GMA
Geoffrey Maddern and Ross McDonald

Apsley GMA
Jo Murdoch and Trevor Domaschenz

West Wimmera Shire Council
Cr Bruce Meyer

Hindmarsh Shire Council
Gary Marsom

Department of Primary Industries
Terry Lewis

Representatives from the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Wimmera Catchment Management Authority also form part of the committee.

The above were appointed by the Board based on geographical representation (2 from each existing groundwater management area), customer group (mix of irrigator and domestic and stock customers) and the nominee’s skills and experience in groundwater management and planning.