Plans & Actions

Build regional capacity across the agricultural community to develop pre-emptive farm specific drought resilient plans (encompassing climate variability). These plans can be seen as part of the overall risk management of a farm – linking dry season, drought resilience and environmental sustainability, and preparing for the role of ESG

Improve grain grower business resilience before, during and post drought. Identify

Build knowledge about the role of ESG in the farm supply chain and the potential impact in the future of accessing finance that is tied to farm/enterprise sustainability credentials (e.g. Green finance lending). Find opportunities to link into existing

Understand grazing strategies suitable in the subregion to manage the ‘green drought’ (early rains, early pasture growth/germination and no follow-on rain) for quality feed.

Investigate, understand and research the different farming systems required between the Eastern and Western areas of the region to better understand soil management practices of fragile coastal soils and the role of livestock and pasture in this

Review current soil amelioration systems in the region and research/identify new tools and systems for increased crop resilience in dry seasons and drought - look at the link to water efficiency, water holding capacity and drought resilience.

Identify and support further development of regenerative farming practices on a broad acre scale and understand the potential for increased dry season and drought

Identify regenerative farming practices case studies across the North Midlands at both trial and at scale. Identify how regenerative practices can be applied to non-livestock enterprises.

Support the expansion of available ground water mapping information to identify new ground water sources (e.g. bores) to increase quality and quantity of available water

Support investigation into the potential of summer rainfall opportunities – matching off-season opportunities and crops to markets or environmental regeneration

Develop better plans for non-productive cropping land. Investigate potential partners and opportunities to manage/support/grow non-productive land for alternative markets – link to ecosystems, environment, bush foods and landscape restoration and

Understand the impact of rising water tables in the subregion and the impact on soils, paddocks and landscapes. Identify concurrent projects in this space and share

Undertake a feasibility study to investigate tools for pivot and drip irrigation in the northern agriculture region. Develop a template-based input program for farmers and investors to accurately cost the enterprise using local costing variables. Identify startup grant funding for a design plan by a certified irrigation designer.

Create a funding program to continue the development drought and dry season work in the North Midlands. This could be via a centralised community crop (different to sporting/community groups) or the establishment of a region wide deductible gift recipient (Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR)) status Community Benefit Fund/Foundation that could receive donations of grain (and money) and provide tax deductible receipts as an alternative method that reduces the management of a

Identify activities and projects that can help to support and advocate for the ongoing forums, projects and conversations regarding childcare offerings across the Shires to understand the issues, current plans and opportunities across the region through a

Identify activities and projects that can help to support and advocate for the ongoing forums, projects, reports and conversations to understand the housing issues and opportunities across the North Midlands and identify share actions and potential

Identify the barriers to new building and housing developments (e.g. power and water connection costs) and advocate with key stakeholders to subsidise costs in line with

Identify opportunities to create offerings of new land (e.g. like Bindoon/Chittering) to attract new families to the region. Identify how to create a small landholder

Create a pre-season North Midlands Mental Fitness program that can be incorporated into the North Midlands sporting clubs (and others) – match physical and mental health pre-season strategies to reduce stigma and increase uptake of matching your physical fitness to your mental fitness to build overall resilience – embed this into the

Grow a more life skills resilient community – identify the opportunity to offer community life skills sharing events to support young community members to grow

Audit the sporting and recreational assets of the region to better understand how to market these to visitors to the region, and to create a fee for service offering to

Create opportunities to bring more events and activities to the North Midlands region. As part of this, undertake a review of all major events currently undertaken in the North Midlands subregion to identify their drought and dry season risk management plan and their links to one another, as a way of helping to create a more regional

Identify the opportunity of a community crop location that benefits a drought resilience fund in the region, as well as acting as a basis for trials and meeting place for the community to better engage both farming and non-farming community

Identify other regions in the world that have similar dry season and drought resilience environmental factors and understand how they build healthy and resilient communities, with the aim of identifying lessons that can be applied to the region.

Create a North Midlands business hub that can showcase the business opportunities of the region. This could include jobs, training, accommodation availability etc.

Investigate and advocate for a ‘living in place’ program that encourages new industries (renewables, gas, mining, etc) to house their workforces in existing rural communities.

Review the current ways in which businesses are supported across the region and identify gaps and opportunities that enable businesses to become more drought and

Create stronger networks with major non-agriculture industries in the region to deepen understanding of the current and proposed activity in the region and to

Identify and capture the opportunities to create new businesses or expanding existing businesses that can service new and emerging industries in the region (e.g. carbon

Identify the technology and business opportunities in the region that stem from the availability of reliable high speed internet services such as the AARNet system to develop potential new business incubator hubs and opportunities to position the

Support ways for the North Midlands region to participate in the supply of power for Geraldton/Perth and surrounding regions to build business diversification into the

Identify, map and build upon the existing space industry assets across the North Midlands and identify the opportunity for further growth in the space,

Advocate for more State and Federal investment in improving road infrastructure (State and Shire owned) to support and make fit for purpose for exploration and

Identify a North Midlands roadmap to ensure reliable telecommunications connectivity for growth, liveability and safety in the region.

Review and document the impact of recent dry seasons and droughts on the natural environment in the region to establish a baseline of vulnerability and identify

Build capacity in farmers (land holders) to identify and prioritise the natural and environmental assets of their land to work with and support ongoing management and

Continue to support research, development and extension activities that promote natural capital accounting practices in the agricultural systems in the region.

Create a plan of nature reserves and green belts that connect larger nature reserves together to increase biodiversity in animal and plant ecosystems in the region.

Understand the environmental, farming and community impact on road verges to identify a resilience building action plan for the subregion. As part of this, look at current research in relation to the impact of the status of roadside vegetation on

Identify further work required in remnant vegetation assessment to understand the impact of dry seasons and drought on road verge trees and how to manage this in the

Investigate and promote surface water management/rehydration systems that enable the slowing down of water at the paddock by capturing and dispersing flood waters.

Investigate and share PhD/research work being done on water conservation and security in dry season regions and provide access to the North Midlands region for

Undertake an audit of catchment/harvesting systems across the region – do we know

Understand the impact of dry seasons and drought on community sewerage systems. Low rainfall potentially impacts the available water from dam/tank sources to treat sewerage ponds, which requires topping up by scheme water (grey water then used to

Identify the requirement for new or upgraded infrastructure to manage long term water security for shared community spaces to enable investment and maintenance

Identify how industry uses high quality ground water in their operations and work with industry and key stakeholders to transition these systems to desalination.

Seek funding to improve water access and security, promote regional economic growth and sustainability, or build resilience to drought and climate change (e.g. DWER Community Water Supplies Partnership Program, National Water

Investigate and promote cost effective water quality treatment options like desalination to improve water quality on farm and use of available ground water – link

Summarise desalination plants across the region, both on and off farm, to understand how they meet water demands and determine how desalination could be incorporated

Review all agricultural irrigation activities in the region to understand how irrigation is used in the North Midlands and consider a feasibility study to inform further opportunities for the agriculture sector (link to action ideas that speak to opportunities to strengthen the subregion as a food bowl region to address food

Identify potential new industries (e.g. horticulture, aquaculture, high value hay/lucerne production) that could be established with better ground water and use of desalination plants. Look at existing trials, early adoptions, and lessons learned (e.g. Barramundi, almond, lucerne and mixed enterprise). Look at other diversification programs using ground water (fresh and desalinated) and match to market demand.

Investigate the research into livestock tree fodder crops for Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme (ACCUs) and the benefits to the environment and agricultural industry (eg. negates rising water tables, supplies feed during dry seasons/droughts and

Investigate drought tolerant grains, pastures, fodder crops and livestock – consider new breeds for the region to enhance mixed enterprise and markets, including links to the ACCUs. Seek to understand the impact on water table quality and quantity.

Develop a method, tools and plans to reduce scheme water leaks on farm over distance. Create a farmer friendly set of tools and incentives that enable uptake in identifying, fixing and reducing loss of scheme water from long distance farm

Investigate the use of innovative or novel water storage equipment such as industrial water pillows/bladders as a form of farm and community water storage that reduces evaporation, increases safety and reduces contamination.

Encourage all businesses in the subregion to review their water usage and identify opportunities for increased water management. Resilient Water Systems Partners The North Midlands includes the following existing partners who may be well placed to support and activate Resilient Water projects: - Local Government Authorities - Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group - Northern Agricultural Catchment Council - Water Corporation - Co-operative Bulk Handling - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Department of Water and Environmental Regulation - Department of Fire and Emergency Services - Mingenew Irwin Group - Morawa Farm Improvement Group - Three Springs Farm Innovation Network - Perenjori Farming Forward Group - West Midlands Group - Aboriginal Groups (Right People on Right Country) - North Midlands Agricultural Society - Grower Group Alliance - South West Drought Hub - Morawa Agricultural College - North Midlands Schools Network - Community Resource Centre Network. This list is formative and will continue to be developed as the Plan matures and projects are implemented. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Overview The Mid West (North Midlands) RDRP has been developed to identify and guide priorities and actions to build the region’s resilience to future droughts. To ensure its effectiveness and for ongoing adaptive management of the Plan, a strong monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) cycle is needed. The FDF approach to MEL has been adopted in this instance and is represented in Figure 22. As part of the implementation of the Plan and associated projects, a Theory of Change approach will underpin MEL planning. MEL incorporates three key elements, specifically: - Monitoring: The systematic and routine collection of data on program activities and outputs to track progress against planned targets and timelines. It serves as an ongoing process to provide stakeholders with regular insights into implementation. - Evaluation: A systematic and objective assessment of a program's design, implementation, and results to determine its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability. It provides evidence-based judgments to inform decision- making and accountability. - Learning: The process of analysing, monitoring and evaluating findings, identifying lessons learned, and using this knowledge to inform adjustments and improvements to the program's strategies, implementation, and future iterations. It fosters continuous improvement and adaptation. Theory of Change explains how the activities undertaken by an intervention (such as a project or program) can lead to change, delivering towards the desired outcomes of this Plan (pages 39). Figure 22: Adapted from Future Drought Fund (FDF) Scope of Enquiry for MEL under the Funding Plan Figure 23: MEL framework that formed part of Community Conversations Evaluation Key Evaluation Questions The Key Evaluation Questions for the RDRP are: 1. To what extent has the Plan been implemented and has impacted on the regional stakeholders’ capacity and resources to better plan, manage and recover from climate challenges? 2. What changes/support are/is needed to ensure that the Plan best provides an effective framework for action and stakeholders can effectively work together towards implementing those actions? Assumptions underpinning the implementation of the Plan The FDF MEL plan identified the following assumptions for the RDRP to be effectively implemented. Assumptions are the underlying beliefs or conditions that are presumed to be true or hold constant for the program to be successful in achieving its intended outcomes. They are the links in the causal chain that are not directly controlled by the program but are necessary for the planned activities to lead to the desired results. Key assumptions affecting outputs to 1–2-year outcomes: - Regional stakeholders have the capacity and capability to participate in strategic planning. - Regional stakeholders are willing to cooperate with each other on regional planning. - Program design is sufficient to give regional stakeholders opportunities to identify and communicate regional drought resilience needs. - Relevant planning at other scales can be aligned. - Regional communities are motivated to take ownership of completed plans and actively seek to implement them. - Communities are willing to share learnings with other regions. - There are sufficient learnings to inform future program design. Key assumptions affecting outcomes from 3-4 years: - Supporting consortia of local governments/stakeholders representing a region will result in changes in practice through those regions. - There are sufficient opportunities for regions to implement elements of plans. - Plans contain implementable activities to build drought resilience across Australia. - Regions continue to review, update and implement their plans. These assumptions will need to be monitored during the implementation phase to provide feedback and highlight areas that require further intervention. Monitoring MEL Data Collection Methods As part of the implementation of the RDRP, data will be collected at established points. Collection and collation of data will be integrated as part of collaborative planning, ongoing analysis and review of existing data, along with methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and case studies. In designing the data collection process, consideration will be given to balancing qualitative and quantitative data to provide deep and rich data capture. Dependent on resourcing, potential methods for data collection include: Tracking participation and engagement: - Attendance registers: Maintain simple sign-in sheets for workshops, training sessions, and community meetings related to the drought resilience plan. - Number of participants: Regularly count the number of individuals, enterprises, or community groups participating in different program activities. - Community group meetings: Track the frequency and attendance of any established community working groups or committees involved in the Plan's implementation. - Website/social media engagement: Monitor website visits, social media likes, shares, and comments related to the drought resilience initiatives. Tracking Resource Distribution and Utilisation: - Distribution logs: Keep records of any resources distributed, including who received them and when. - Usage records (where feasible): For shared resources, track usage patterns if possible (e.g., through simple logbooks). Tracking Implementation Progress: - Activity completion checklists: Regularly monitor progress status of initiatives within the plan. - Timeline monitoring: Compare the actual progress of activities against the planned timeline outlined in the drought resilience plan. Note any delays or accelerations. - Number of infrastructure projects completed: For projects involving infrastructure, track the number of completed projects. Gathering Feedback: - Informal check-ins: Encourage project staff or local facilitators to have informal conversations with participants to gather their initial reactions and feedback on activities. - Simple feedback forms (short and easy to complete): After key events (e.g. workshops), distribute very short forms with 1-2 open-ended questions or simple rating scales (e.g., "How useful did you find this session?"). - Verbal feedback collection: Train staff or volunteers to note down key feedback received during interactions with stakeholders. - Focus groups: Facilitated discussions with small groups to gather in-depth feedback on experiences and perceptions related to the drought resilience plan, providing rich qualitative insights. - Case studies: In-depth look at specific examples or situations to understand how the drought resilience plan works in practice and to identify key lessons and contributing factors. Transition to the North Midlands Resilience Network As part of the ongoing governance of the RDRP, the Project Advisory Group (PAG) will seek to transition to the North Midlands Resilience Network (NMRN). This network, in partnership with the Mid West Development Commission (MWDC), will oversee the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Plan, and help to share and showcase the projects from the Plan to extend the adaptive learning and capacity building across the subregion. The NMRN will serve as a regional coordination body. Further details, including membership, governance structure, and reporting mechanisms, will be developed as part of the transition process. Investment Framework The Investment Framework for the North Midlands RDRP is designed to guide investment decisions and ensure that the RDRP builds on existing activities and priorities. To avoid duplication, a stop/go assessment is incorporated to ensure proposals consider existing work or deliver on an identified need. The Framework, shown on page 80, provides a consistent process to guide decision making and categorises investment, with a focus on place based and collaborative approaches. Investments that build knowledge are also incorporated. Using an adaptive approach, adjustments will be made in future to respond to ongoing monitoring of funded projects, stakeholder feedback, and changing contextual conditions. Projects considered for investment should also align with the 10 Standing Principles for the subregion, as shown on pages 3-4. Figure 24: Vision and Outcomes. Figure 25: Investment Framework. Next Steps This plan establishes a foundational framework for the North Midlands region to identify and communicate its drought resilience priorities. Achieving the outcomes will require ongoing, coordinated action among stakeholders. It is also acknowledged that many of the actions will require investment. To track progress, a MEL framework will support implementation, ensuring transparency and accountability. This framework will measure the effectiveness of drought resilience actions and allow for continuous improvement. The investment framework also ensures that funding is prioritised against a range of criteria and aligns with the priorities of stakeholders and the community in the North Midlands subregion. The framework ensures that investments build on existing work or deliver against an evidenced need, and prioritise place based (community led) and collaborative investment. Moving forward, this Plan serves as a living document – one that will evolve with changing conditions, emerging research and ongoing stakeholder input. By embedding drought resilience into regional planning, we can build on the strengths of the North Midlands region to prepare for and respond to dry conditions and drought. As strategic documents are revised and updated the priorities articulated in this Plan should be embedded. All local governments in the subregion should consider how the RDRP and accompanying DVA can support strategic planning for the future that actively embeds dry season and drought resilience. In addition, the range of organisations identified in the literature review, and within each theme, should look to embed the RDRP priorities into their work. As part of the ongoing governance of the RDRP, the PAG will transition to the North Midlands Resilience Network (NMRN). This network, in partnership with the MWDC, will oversee the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and adaptive learning of the plan. References ABCB, (2019). Climate zone map WA, Commonwealth of Australia, Australian Building Codes Board. Retrieved from: https://www.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2022/Climate- zone-map-wa.pdf ABS, (2022). Data by Region (for each Local Government Area). Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved from: https://dbr.abs.gov.au/index.html ANU, (2023). Australia’s Environment Explorer: 2023. ANU and TERN. Retrieved from: https://ausenv.tern.org.au/ Aqueduct, (2023). Water Risk Atlas: Groundwater Table Decline. Retrieved from: https://www.wri.org/applications/aqueduct/water-risk-atlas/ Australian Government, (2024). Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2024-2028. Retrieved from: https://www.prod.legislation.gov.au/F2024L00150/latest/text Australian Government, (2024a). Australian Disasters. Retrieved from: https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/find-a-disaster/australian-disasters BOM, (2022). State of the Climate 2022. Retrieved from: http://www.bom.gov.au/state-of-the- climate/2022/documents/2022-state-of-the-climate-web.pdf BoM, (2023). Climate Classification Maps, Product Code IDCJCM0000. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved from: http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/climate- classifications/index.jsp?maptype=tmp_zones#maps Bureau of Meteorology (2023a). Australian climate variability and change – trend: Rainfall Total Annual Season. Retrieved from: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi- bin/climate/change/trendmaps.cgi?map=rain&area=wa&season=0112&period=1970 BoM, (2024). Drought Knowledge Centre: Previous Droughts. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved from: (http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/drought/knowledge-centre/previous-droughts.shtml BoM, (2024a). 124 Years of Rainfall. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved from: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/history/rainfall/ CBH, (2025). Record finish as CBH calls end to 2024/25 harvest. CBH Group. News: 03/02/2025. Retrieved from: https://www.cbh.com.au/media-releases/2025/02/record-finish-as-cbh- calls-end-to-harvest CBH, (2025). Email from CBH Geraldton Port Zone General Manager re 2024/2025 receivals across the subregion (07 May 2025). Coelli, R., (2021). Natural Resource Management and Drought Resilience: Survey of Farm Practices. ABARES, Research Report 21.12, Canberra. Retrieved from: https://daff.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1032761/0 CSIRO, (2024). Climate Change in Australia: Projections - SSW Flatlands. Retrieved from: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/regional-climate-change- explorer/clusters/?current=SSWS&tooltip=true&popup=true DAFF (2023). Catchment scale land use of Australia – December 2023 v2. Australian Government: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Retrieved from: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/images/CLUM_map_December2023_ALUM _simplified_v2.png DAFF, (2023a). Future Drought Fund. Australian Government: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Retrieved from: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm- food-drought/drought/future-drought- fund#:~:text=Thepercent20Droughtpercent20Resiliencepercent20Fundingpercent20Plan,incl udingpercent20thepercent20Nationalpercent20Droughtpercent20Agreement DAFF, (2023a). Future Drought Fund. Australian Government: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Retrieved from: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm- food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/regional-drought-resilience-planning DAFF, (2023b). Australian Agricultural Census 2020-21 – LGA, Australian Government: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (ABARES), Retrieved from: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/aclump/land-use/agriculture-census-dashboards-lga DAFF, (2023c). My Climate View – Coorow, Mingenew, Irwin, Three Springs, Morawa, Carnamah, Perenjori (no commodity selected). Retrieved from: https://myclimateview.com.au/climate- summary DBCA, (2023). Threated Ecological Communities, updated 23 Nov 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/wildlife-and-ecosystems/threatened-ecological- communities/list-threatened-ecological-communities DAFF, (2008). North East Agricultural Region Strategy, in Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, (2022). Drought Vulnerability Assessment, Mid West WA. Department of Agriculture and Food DPIRD, (2022). Drought Vulnerability Assessment, Mid West Western Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Department of Water, (2015). Mid West regional water supply strategy. Government of Western Australia. Retrieved from: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/mid-west- regional-water-supply-strategy Government of WA, (2015). Mid West Planning and Infrastructure Framework. Retrieved from: www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2021- 07/MWT_Regional_Planning_and_Infrastructure_Framework_PartA_Feb2015.pdf Government of WA, (2023). Climate Adaptation Strategy. Retrieved from: www.wa.gov.au Hajkowicz, S., and Eady, S., (2015). Rural Industry Futures: Megatrends Impacting Australian Agriculture Over the Coming Twenty Years. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Retrieved from: https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp- content/uploads/publications/15-065.pdf IPCC, (2021). IPCC AR6: Regional Fact Sheet Australasia. Retrieved from: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/factsheets/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Regional_Fact_Sh eet_Australasia.pdf May, J E.and McKenzie, N L., (2002). Regional biodiversity summary: Avon Wheatbelt. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved from: chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://library.dbca.wa.gov.au/FullTextFiles/0 21926/021926-001.pdf May, J E.; McKenzie, N L., (2002a). Regional biodiversity summary: Geraldton sandplains. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved from: https://library.dbca.wa.gov.au/#record/81388 MWDC, (2022). Regional Drought Resilience Plan for the Mid West region. Mid West Development Commission. Retrieved from: https://www.mwdc.wa.gov.au/rdrp.aspx MWDC, (2022a). Drought Impacts on Water Resources of the Mid West: Opportunities to Build Resilience. Mid West Development Commission. Retrieved from: www.mwdc.wa.gov.au/f.ashx/RegionalDroughtResiliencePlan/Appendix8_MWWaterImpactsOf Drought_MidWestDevelopmentCommission.pdf NACC, (2023). Shire Profiles: Traditional Owners, Northern Agricultural Catchment Council, Narvis. Retrieved from: https://narvis.com.au/shire-profiles/ NACC, (2024). Correspondence with Northern Agricultural Catchment Council. Peel, Murray & Finlayson, Brian & McMahon, Thomas, (2007). Updated World Map of the Koppen- Geiger Climate Classification. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions. 4. 10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. Retrieved from: www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/ Remplan, (2023). Mid West: Mid West Development Commission. Compelling Economics Pty Ltd. Retrieved from: https://app.remplan.com.au/midwestregion/economy/summary Tanton, R., Dare, L., Miranti, R., Vidyattama, Y., Yule, A. and McCabe, M., (2021). Dropping Off the Edge 2021: Persistent and multilayered disadvantage in Australia, Jesuit Social Services: Melbourne. Retrieved from: https://www.dote.org.au/s/WA_final.xlsx UN, (2023). SDG Report 2023, page 4. United Nations. Retrieved from: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report- 2023.pdf see also: LI Junhua Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, page 3. Retrieved from: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/The-Sustainable-Development- Goals-Report-2023.pdf WA Government, (2020). Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement (Area Agreement), Map 1. Produced on 16/01/2020. Retrieved from: https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2021-05/PRJ- Yamatji-Nation-Agreement-Webpage-Native-Title-Map-DPLH-GIS.pdf WA Government, (2022). Mid West groundwater-dependent ecosystem vulnerability groundwater investigation. Retrieved from: https://www.wa.gov.au/service/natural- resources/water-resources/mid-west-groundwater-dependent-ecosystem-vulnerability- groundwater-investigation WA Government, (2023). South West Settlement Agreements with Regional Development Commission and Local Government Boundaries, produced 25/07/2023. Retrieved from: https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2023-11/mapofswsettlementagreements.pdf WAEC, (2023). Reports: Local Government Elections Reports. Western Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved from: https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/local-government- elections/reports WAPOL, (2023). Time Series: Mid West Gascoyne 2022-23, Retrieved from: https://www.police.wa.gov.au/crime/crimestatistics#/ and compared to manually calculated crime statistics for key localities and locality population. Water Corporation, (2023). Climate and the Mid West. Retrieved from: https://www.watercorporation.com.au/Our-water/Climate-change-and-WA/Climate-and-the- Mid- West#:~:text=Thepercent20Midpercent20Westpercent20ispercent20entirely,socialpercent2C percent20culturalpercent20andpercent20ecologicalpercent20significance WEF, (2020). Nature Risk Rising: Why the Crisis Engulfing Nature Matters for Business and the Economy. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_New_Nature_Economy_Report_2020.pdf (calculated by BlueSalt Consulting based on local output current FY) Table of Figures Figure 1: Mid West North Midlands and Mid West Pilot Region ....................................... 9 Figure 2: Women of the Hinterlands ............................................................................ 12 Figure 3: Big Tractor Launch, October 2024. ............................................................... 12 Figure 4: Koobabbie Precinct ..................................................................................... 14 Figure 5 : Sourced from Shire of Dandaragan .............................................................. 14 Figure 6: Shire of Irwin Foreshore. .............................................................................. 16 Figure 7: Shire of Irwin Medical Centre. ....................................................................... 16 Figure 8: Mingenew Irwin Group .................................................................................. 18 Figure 9: Mingenew Childcare Centre Upgrade. ........................................................... 18 Figure 10: Mingenew Springs concept. ........................................................................ 18 Figure 11: Image credit - morawafarmers.wixsite.com ................................................ 20 Figure 12: Perenjori Community Garden (Image credit: Tessomewhere) ..................... 22 Figure 13: Conceptual Framework of Drought............................................................. 25 Figure 14: Areas of high disadvantage by SA2..............................................................27 Figure 15: Areas of low disadvantage by SA2 .............................................................. 28 Figure 16: Drought Vulnerability Scores (Pilot Program Index) ..................................... 29 Figure 17: Drought Vulnerability Composite Map .......................................................... 31 Figure 18: Incremental, Transitional and Transformational Change Types (Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2024 to 2028) ....................................................................... 34 Figure 19: Project Advisory Group (PAG) members for the North Midlands RDRP subregion ................................................................................................................................. 36 Figure 20: Snapshot of some Community Conservations across the region .................37 Figure 21: Vision and outcomes of the North Midlands (Mid West) RDRP ...................... 39 Figure 22: Adapted from Future Drought Fund (FDF) Scope of Enquiry for MEL under the Funding Plan ............................................................................................................. 74 Figure 23: MEL framework that formed part of Community Conversations ..................75 Figure 24: Vision and Outcomes. ................................................................................78 Figure 25: Investment Framework. .............................................................................79 Appendix A: Key Policy Context Policy and strategic documents included in the Mid West (North Midlands) Drought Background & Context Report. National • Drought Response, Resilience and Preparedness Plan 2019 Australian Government • National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 2021-25 Australian Government • State of the Climate 2022 Bureau of Meteorology State • Climate Adaptation Strategy 2023 (DWER) • Climate Health WA Inquiry Final Report 2020 (WA Health) • Foundations for a Stronger Tomorrow: State Infrastructure Strategy 2022 (DPLH) • Regional Planning and Infrastructure Frameworks 2015 (DPLH) • State Infrastructure Strategy (Infrastructure WA) • State Planning Strategy 2050 (DPLH) • WA Climate Change Policy 2020 (DWER) • WA Natural Resource Management Framework 2018 (DPIRD) • WA Primary Industries Plan 2020-24 (DPIRD) • WA Regional Development Framework 2023 (DPIRD) Regional • Drought Impacts on Water Resources of the Mid West 2022 (MWDC) • Mid West Development Commission Strategic Plan 2023-26 (MWDC) • Mid West Investment Plan 2011-21 (MWDC) • Mid West Regional Blueprint 2015 (MWDC/RDA) • Mid West Regional Planning and Investment Framework 2015 (DPLH) • Mid West Regional Water Supply Strategy 2015 (DWER) • Northern Agricultural Region’s Natural Resource Management Strategy 2021-2030 (NACC NRM) • Regional Drought Resilience Plan for the Mid West Region 2023 (MWDC/DPIRD) Sub-Regional • North Midlands Community Wellness Plan 2020-2023 • Regional Drought Resilience Plan for the Mid West Region 2023 (MWDC/DPIRD) • Shire of Carnamah Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Business Plan 2021-2031 (combined) • Shire of Coorow Corporate Business Plan 2018-2024 • Shire of Irwin Strategic Community Plan 2021-2031 • Shire of Mingenew Strategic Community Plan 2019-2029 • Shire of Morawa Strategic Community Plan 2018-2028 • Shire of Perenjori Strategic Community Plan 2017-2027 • Shire of Three Springs Strategic Community Plan 2018-2028 Appendix B: Scoring for Drought Vulnerability Assessment The following scores have been calculated against the measures and sliding scale as presented in the Pilot Program Regional Drought Resilience Plan for the Mid West region. Table 1: Indicators for drought exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Index Component Indicator Score Projected change in temperature and growing season Exposure 4 rainfall Change in timing of autumn break 3 Change in drought frequency 5 Sensitivity Production risk (crop and livestock) 3 Trend in NDVI (lowest 10%) 4 Percent employment in agriculture (SA2 combined) 3 Adaptive Capacity Percent unemployment 3 Physical capital / access to infrastructure 3 Groundwater quality 4 Soil capability 3 Average Total score = 35 3.5 Due to high variability across the region, most scores had to be averaged. Table 2: Raw Scores for indicators Indicator Measure and Scale Raw Score (Source) Sliding scale 1-5 1. No increase in number of hot days, no change or an increase in rainfall 12-15 more hot days 2. Moderate increase in number of hot days annually compared to Projected change in (<2.5), moderate decrease in rainfall 1994-2023 = 5 temperature and (<15%) growing season 3. High increase in number of hot days (<2.5 April to October rainfall rainfall more hot days), moderate decrease in decline 5% compared to rainfall (<15%) 1994-2023 =2-3 4. Moderate increase in number of hot days (<2.5), large decrease in rainfall (≥15%) Indicator Measure and Scale Raw Score (Source) 5. High increase in number of hot days (≥2.5 more hot days), large decrease in rainfall (≥15%) Sliding scale 1-5 1. Percentage decrease in timing of the 3-6% averaged (but autumn break – break occurs earlier Change in timing of over 6% in the 2. Autumn break occurs later (0-2%) autumn break northeastern part of the 3. Autumn break occurs later (3-5%) region) – see DVA 4. Autumn break occurs later (6-8%) 5. Autumn break occurs later (≥9%) Sliding scale 1-5 1. Three or four fewer droughts 3 to 4 more (isolated Change in drought 2. One or two fewer drought pockets experiencing 1 frequency 3. Equal number of droughts or 2 more) – see DVA 4. One or two more droughts 5. Three or four more droughts Sliding scale 1-5 1. Very low risk – good production, good Averaged as moderate soils and high average NDVI (ranging from very low Production risk (crop 2. Low risk to very high, with and livestock) 3. Moderate risk generalised increasing 4. High risk risk inland) – see DVA 5. Very high risk – marginal production, poor soils and low average NDVI Averaged as 121-140 Sliding scale 1-5 (majority of the eastern 1. NDVI 181-200 region and parts of the Trend in NDVI (lowest 2. NDVI 161-180 west and south 121-140 10%) 3. NDVI 141-160 with higher scores 140- 4. NDVI 121-140 160 in the north-west to 5. NDVI 100-120 central area) – see DVA Sliding scale 1-5 1. Very few people employed in agriculture (<10%) 2. Few people employed in agriculture (10- 11.8% Irwin SA2 & 35.9% Percent employment 20%) Morawa SA2 in agriculture (SA2 3. Some people employed in agriculture (averaged as SA2 combined) (20-30%) similar size) = 23.85% 4. Many people employed in agriculture (30- 40%) 5. Very many people employed in agriculture (>40%) Sliding scale 1-5 1. Very low unemployment (0-2%) Average moderate Percent 2. Low unemployment (2-3%) (ranges from 0-5% unemployment 3. Moderate unemployment (3-4%) categories across 4. High unemployment (4-5%) region) - see DVA 5. Very high unemployment (>5%) Sliding scale 1-5 Averaged 25-50km 1. Critical road and/or water infrastructure (moderate) Physical capital / within 10km Ranged from very low to access to 2. Critical road and/or water infrastructure moderate, some high infrastructure 10-25km away and very high in pastoral 3. Critical road and water infrastructure area. See DVA 25-50km away Indicator Measure and Scale Raw Score (Source) 4. Critical road and water infrastructure 50- 100km away 5. Critical road and water infrastructure more than 100m away Sliding scale 1-5 Average 3000-6999 1. ≤500mg/L Total Dissolved Solids (500-3,000 in west and 2. 500-999mg/L Total Dissolved Solids up to 7,000 along coast, Groundwater quality 3. 1000-2999mg/L Total Dissolved Solids and over 7,000 in the 4. 3000-6999mg/L Total Dissolved Solids east with 3,000-7,000 in 5. ≥7000mg/L Total Dissolved Solids far east. Sliding scale 1-5 1. High to very high capability 50-70% Averaged as moderate 2. Moderate to very high capability >70% to very high (very high Soil capability 3. Moderate to very high capability 50-70% localised variability – 4. Low to very low capability 50-70% see DVA) 5. Low to very low capability >70% Sliding scale 1-5: 1.Low vulnerability Total score (mean) 3.5 (mean) 3.Moderate vulnerability 4.High vulnerability Appendix C: Vulnerability Mapping Using the same methodology as used in the Pilot Program Mid West Regional Drought Resilience Plan (MWDC, 2022) impact combines exposure and sensitivity. As per the Pilot region, data used in the composite map to demonstrate exposure is: - Change in growing season rainfall (historical, projected) - Change in maturing season temperature (historical, projected) - Rainfall intensity (events > 10mm, events > 25mm) - Change in root zone soil moisture - Change in timing of the autumn break - Change in drought frequency - Change in potential wheat yield - Distance from the coast. Data used in the composite map to demonstrate sensitivity is: - Production o Average potential wheat yield o Crop production (t/ha; wheat, canola, barley) o Livestock production (numbers; sheep, cattle) o High quality agricultural land o NDVI at the end of the growing season (20yr average) - Other o Water quality o NDVI at the end of the growing season (lowest 10percent) o Average household income o Farm profit o Percentage employment in agriculture o Average farm size o Presence of bores and dams o Farm diversity o Accessibility and remoteness index o Population trends o Areas declared water deficient. Future use of NDVI as a measure could investigate splitting cropping production and non-cleared estate NDVI, with the non-cleared estate contributing to sensitivity in the ‘other’ category (NACC, 2024). Human capital was measured in the Pilot region against: - population over 65 years - percentage of unemployment. Natural capital was measured in the Pilot region as: - Water o important water resources o groundwater resources o groundwater quality o proclaimed water protection areas - Other o soil capability o plant available soil moisture o native vegetation extent o trend in NDVI o surface salinity Mid West (North Midlands) RDRP | 2024 | Page 1 of 98