At GWMWater, we’re responsible for regulating farm dams under the Water Act 1989. This includes issuing works licences for some stock and domestic, irrigation and commercial farm dams.
Irrigation and commercial farm dams
An irrigation or commercial farm dam needs to:
- be registered
- and have a surface water 'take and use' licence.
If the dam is on a waterway or is defined as being 'potentially hazardous', it may also need a works licence. For advice on whether you need this licence, call us on 1300 659 961.
For more information about dams
Farm Dam Fact Sheet (960kB)
Please contact us to obtain a Waterway Application Form.
Contact us
If you're unsure whether you need to register your dam, or apply for a works licence, contact us for advice.
Depending where you’re located in our region, you may be eligible to apply to harvest and use surface rainfall runoff, including from streams, rivers, creeks and catchment dams.
Surface water is a precious resource and it’s important that it’s managed carefully to protect existing users and the environment.
At GWMWater, we're responsible for:
- issuing surface water ‘take and use’ licences
- supporting key environmental management strategies
- regulating surface water licence allocations according to seasonal conditions.
To harvest and use surface water including from rivers, creeks and catchment dams you must have a surface water ‘take and use’ licence.
How to apply
To get a ‘take and use’ licence you can either:
1. Apply for a new licence
Application for a New or Amended Licence to Use Surface Water and to Operate Works TU2
2. Apply to renew your existing licence
Application for Renewal of a Licence to Take and Use Surface Water and Operate Works SWR1
3. Transfer an existing licence from another landholder
Permanent or temporary transfer of water for a take and use licence TU3
Transfer of licence ownership on the sale of land TOL1
If you no longer need your ‘take and use’ licence, you can surrender it:Surrender a licence to take and use water and operate works TU4
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In the interests of the environment, the community and fairness, it's important for people to follow the rules regarding taking and using surface water. Many people taking and using surace water illegally may not realise they're doing so. It's essential that you, as a surface water user, understand your rights and obligations concerning our water resources.
Water costs vary depending on a number of factors and can change from year to year. |
GWMWater takes pride in maintaining good relationships with the regional community and in our record as a good corporate citizen. We are committed to continuing to develop and implement policies and activities that will build and foster these close relationships, as reflected in our Vision, Mission and Values statements.
In November 2019, GWMWater adopted a Communications and Engagement Strategy 2019-2024. It is founded on the recognition that GWMWater’s communications and engagement is at an important point in time, when it must balance the needs of its customers and stakeholders, who more than ever, have varied expectations in the way they prefer to be engaged and provided information.
We take a structured and planned approach to community engagement using the IAP2 Model of Engagement.
Read our Customer Relations Policy for more information.
Customer and Stakeholder Workshops
We host two Customer and Stakeholder Workshops each year to engage a broad range of stakeholders in the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee about issues affecting our work and our future direction. All are welcome.
Customer Committees
One of the most important ways that we communicate with our customers is through our network of customer committee members. These committees draw membership from a variety of rural and urban water users, municipalities and environmental interests.
Committees meet regularly and provide advice to us on matters that relate to policy, customer service, customer relation issues and operation of our system. They're also a barometer of community standards and expectations. Read our Stakeholder Committees or Working Groups Policy for more information.
We have numerous customer committees operating, including:
Irrigation Diverters Committee
As a result of the sale of the Wimmera Irrigation entitlement to the Commonwealth Government, the GWMWater Board has formally wound up the Wimmera Irrigators and Diverters Consultative Committee.
A new Irrigation Diverters Committee has been established to provide diverters with a forum to be involved in GWMWater’s decision making processes.
Regional Recreation Water Users Group
The first meeting of the Regional Recreation Water Users Group was held in June 2009. The role of the group is to provide advice to the GWMWater Board on the development of policies for recreational water distribution and management.
West Wimmera Groundwater Management Area Implementation Committee
This committee is responsible for implementation of the West Wimmera Groundwater Management Strategy. The Strategy provides direction to ensure that groundwater is managed equitably and in a way that maintains the social, environmental and economic benefits it provides.
The West Wimmera Groundwater Management Area extends from the Wimmera River to the South Australian border up to and including the Big Desert.
Saving water at home is much easier than you might think! The key to saving water is to think about what small, simple changes you can make in your daily life to use less water.
Our tips for saving water around the house
- wash fruit and veggies in the kitchen sink half filled with water instead of under a running tap
- fill up the washing machine and dishwasher with a full load so that you save water and power
- use a glass of water when brushing your teeth instead of running the tap
- keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge to avoid running the tap when someone needs a glass of water
- install a water-efficient shower head and have shorter showers (under 3 minutes)
- install a dual flush system in your toilet or place a brick in your cistern
- check the efficiency rating on new water appliances
Some useful videos...
Mindful habits to be more water efficient:
How to change a showerhead:
How to install a flow controller on your tap:
How to change a tap washer:
How to check if you have a leak:
Leaks can be sneaky water wasters
Check your toilet for leaksMake sure you check your toilet, it's a common household leak! Check by putting six to eight drops of food dye in the cistern. Leave for 5 minutes. If colouring appears in the bowl, the cistern has a leak that should be fixed. Remember to flush the toilet to remove the food dye to avoid any possible staining.
Did you know that a dripping tap can use 200 litres of water a day? |
Complying with regional water restrictions
Make sure you are aware of and complying with Permanent Water Saving Rules or staged water restrictions.
Find out more about water restrictions in our region
Further information...
Keep track with a water audit Our Water Audit Kit is designed to help you work out how much water your household uses and where.
Smart Water Advice - helping you save water! Find out smart ways to save water in and around your home, as well as in the work place. |
A lovely garden is a great place to relax and unwind. Gardens need water, but they don't necessarily need a lot of water. If you're smart in how you plan and nurture your plants, you can have a gorgeous and drought-resistant garden to enjoy for many years to come.
Our tips for saving water in the garden
- We all love to keep our gardens green and healthy, and there's no reason you can't do this while saving water.
- Always use a leak-free trigger nozzle on your hose and remember to properly turn off the tap.
- Choose hardy/drought proof plants and lawns (perennial and creeping) if possible.
- Keep lawn watering to a minimum by encouraging deep root growth and keeping a weed-free lawn.
- Water thoroughly rather than often, to help make plants tough and tolerant of extremes.
- Fertilise lawns in late winter to encourage deep rooted grasses.
- Use mulch to ensure reduced water loss from evaporation.
- Water your plants, not the footpaths or other non-vegetative surfaces.
- Wash your car on the lawn with a bucket and sponge before a final hose off so that you end up with both a clean car and a watered lawn.
- If you have a pool or spa, use a pool cover to keep it clean and reduce water evaporation.
The lawn is the biggest user of water in the garden!
Did you know that a garden sprinkler uses about 1000 litres of water an hour? |
Water restrictions
Water conservation is an integral part of our operations at GWMWater.
Make sure you're aware of and complying with Permanent Water Saving Rules. We introduce staged water restrictions at certain times to also conserve our precious water resources.
Water restrictions in our region
Low water use gardens in our region
If you're looking for some great examples of low water use gardens in our region, there are plenty to choose from! Our very own Horsham office has a low water use garden surrounding the building.
We are also proud to have sponsored the following low water use gardens in our region:
- Federation Park - Stawell
- Woodbine Administration Centre - Warracknabeal
- Karkana Administration Centre - Horsham
- East Wimmera Health Service - Ararat
Gardening with Ted BrownLearn from the best and soak up some local expertise with our favourite gardener, Ted Brown! Together with GWMWater, Ted has prepared fact sheets to help you grow a thriving and drought-resistant garden. Download the fact sheets for great ideas to create a beautiful waterwise garden.
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