The Mid West has two community-owned Regional Drought Resilience Plans under the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund. Here you can see what the region is working towards, what's underway, and where things stand.
Community-owned and led.The plans are developed by the region — involving local governments, regional organisations, the agricultural sector and the community — with independent expert feedback from CSIRO. They identify evidence-based actions to prepare for future droughts and draw out regional priorities to inform investment.
City of Greater Geraldton and the Shires of Chapman Valley and Northampton
Our vision
“A self-reliant agricultural community, capable of withstanding the challenges of drought through shared responsibility and an integrated approach to drought management and preparedness.”
The Mid West region is often referred to as the sentinel of drying and heating trends forecast for the South West Land Division. Developed through consultation with almost 600 individuals representing 140 organisations, the Plan identifies priorities and actions aligned with the Future Drought Fund's strategic priorities of social, environmental and economic resilience.
Led by
Mid West Development Commission
Delivery partners
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD); NACC NRM; City of Greater Geraldton; Shires of Chapman Valley and Northampton
Stakeholder consultation facilitated the contributions of almost 600 individuals representing 140 organisations to the Plan and its evidence base, the Drought Vulnerability Assessment.
Where things stand
Every one of the 95 action ideas from this plan, in one place
82Identified
Ideas brought forward by the community, not yet started
2Scoping
Being assessed for feasibility and impact, or seeking funding
FDF strategic priority: support the wellbeing of communities affected by drought. Actions span information and planning, collaboration and building capability, and community facilities and infrastructure.
Areas of focus
Information and planning
Collaboration and building capability
Community facilities and infrastructure
Future Drought Fund objective: Support the wellbeing of communities affected by drought.
4 of 28 action ideas — tap to view
SO-2
Evaluate current support programs and review demands for mental health services to help ensure adequate…
Evaluate current support programs and review demands for mental health services to help ensure adequate support for rural and regional communities in drought
IncrementalIn progressFundedLead: MWDC
SO-4
Increase the visibility and knowledge of available support mechanisms (on-line platform / information…
Increase the visibility and knowledge of available support mechanisms (on-line platform / information packages / publicity campaign)
IncrementalIn progressFundedLead: MWDC · Aristos AI
SO-7
Support the capture and peer-to-peer sharing of drought resilience success stories by growers and community…
Support the capture and peer-to-peer sharing of drought resilience success stories by growers and community leaders which demonstrate the adoption of effective on-ground works and appropriate innovation options which increase drought resilience
Collaboration and building capabilityIncrementalIn progressFundedLead: MWDC
SO-24
Encourage communities with a high level of drought resilience to share learnings with other communities
Collaboration and building capabilityIncrementalIn progressFundedLead: MWDC
Environmental resilienceTheme 2
Environmental Resilience
FDF strategic priority: enhance the public good by building drought resilience through programs that improve the natural resource management of agricultural landscapes. The Mid West comprises highly modified environments, many on the vulnerable north-east margins of the agricultural zone.
Areas of focus
Natural resource management
Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Sustainable production and soil health
Landscape restoration
Future Drought Fund objective: Enhance the public good by building drought resilience through programs that improve the natural resource management of agricultural landscapes.
4 of 33 action ideas — tap to view
EN-12
Increase funding to local biosecurity groups for pest, weed and feral animal control, incentivising the use…
Increase funding to local biosecurity groups for pest, weed and feral animal control, incentivising the use of new technologies (e.g. drones) Farming
IncrementalIn progressFundedLead: NACC NRM
EN-15
Promote the continued uptake of practices which improve soil health (e.g
Promote the continued uptake of practices which improve soil health (e.g. amelioration, liming, Farming strip and disc, chemical fallow) through education, case studies and demonstration programs, and financial incentives
Expand the Chapman Catchment project demonstration sites for earthworks for rehydrating Farming landscapes…
Expand the Chapman Catchment project demonstration sites for earthworks for rehydrating Farming landscapes and build related extension and training programs
Collaboration and building capabilityIncrementalIn progressFundedLead: Growers · NACC NRM
EN-28
Encourage improved natural resource management capability through planning and training on financial, drought…
Encourage improved natural resource management capability through planning and training on financial, drought and risk management
Collaboration and building capabilityIncrementalIn progressFundedLead: All partners
Economic resilienceTheme 3
Economic Resilience
FDF strategic priority: support the prosperity of communities and agricultural industries affected by drought, including through innovation and income diversification.
Areas of focus
Information and planning
Collaboration and building capability
Farm business resilience and diversification
Future Drought Fund objective: Support the prosperity of communities and agricultural industries affected by drought.
3 of 34 action ideas — tap to view
EC-1
Using effective and modern communication tools such as short videos, animated infographics and podcasts…
Using effective and modern communication tools such as short videos, animated infographics and podcasts, build community understanding of new weather, climate and water science information that is coordinated, easily accessible and engaging Triggers
IncrementalIn progressFundedLead: MWDC
EC-10
Develop and deliver capability-building programs to improve farm business skills and decision making…
Develop and deliver capability-building programs to improve farm business skills and decision making, including financial literacy and planning, risk assessment and management, succession Planning planning and exit strategies (e.g. Farm Business Resilience Program)
Collaboration and building capabilityIncrementalIn progressFundedLead: DPIRD
EC-12
Support growers to utilise already available farm-level decision-making tools (e.g
Support growers to utilise already available farm-level decision-making tools (e.g. Dr Sat) Planing
Collaboration and building capabilityIncrementalIn progressFundedLead: MWDC
From plan to project
Action ideas become fundable projects through the Plan's investment framework — prioritised against feasibility and impact, and funded through the Future Drought Fund and other sources.