Through extensive community and stakeholder engagement, the State Government's Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has coordinated the development of a draft McLaren Vale Regional Water Security Strategy.

DEW are now seeking your feedback on the draft strategy, which outlines a vision, articulates a set of goals, and identifies a range of actions to help realise a water secure future for the region.

Water in the McLaren Vale Region supports local businesses, tourism, a world class wine industry, open spaces, amenity, the environment and the community.

Planning for a water-secure future will help address challenges that will be faced, particularly in a changing climate.

The Department for Environment and Water is developing a long-term water security strategy in partnership with:

• McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association
• City of Onkaparinga
• Willunga Basin Water Company (coNEXA)
• Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board
• SA Water
• Primary Industries and Regions SA
• McLaren Vale region community.

A water security strategy aims to ensure the region has the water needed to support the local economy, communities, amenity, cultural values and healthy ecosystems now and into the future.

Developing the strategy will allow new and expanded water supplies to be considered in the context of increasing demand and a changing climate.

The strategy also seeks to ensure infrastructure projects and water management policies complement each other and support the region’s water security vision.

Engagement on the draft Strategy is open until Wednesday 10 September 2025.