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We track climatic conditions across Victoria and provide targeted support to areas of need. We do this work in collaboration with:

  • Agriculture Victoria and
  • water corporations.

Find information about the current status of Victoria's water resources

You can find information about dry conditions and water availability in the state’s storages by visiting the:

How to access emergency water

Victoria has a network of over 300 emergency water supply points which provide water for:

  • stock and domestic purposes during severe dry seasonal conditions
  • surface water scarcity
  • bushfires.

The Government has improved access to emergency water supply points. This gives the community better access to water for their stock and domestic needs.

Drought research

The Victorian Water and Climate Initiative research program helps us better understand our climate and water resources Some of the areas of research include:

  • Victoria’s catchment response to the Millennium Drought
  • planning for future drought risk.

Guidelines for water corporations

The Guidelines for Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Water Availability in Victoria gives a consistent approach for applying climate change scenarios to water resource planning. Water corporations can use the guidelines to help with:

  • drought preparedness
  • operational planning.

The Sustainable Irrigation Program

The Sustainable Irrigation Program has several actions to improve on-farm water use. The program helps improve irrigation water use efficiency. This is important for:

  • property planning (including grants for the preparation or update of whole farm plans) and other decision support programs
  • providing specialist independent advice to irrigators
  • providing grants to help with the adoption of improved farm irrigation infrastructure.

If you want more information about incentive programs, contact your local catchment management authority (CMAs) or Agriculture Victoria:

Or visit Agriculture Victoria.

Lessons from the Millennium Drought

The dry conditions experienced between 1996 and 2010 are often described as the Millennium Drought. These conditions brought about changes to water management in Victoria.

The report Managing Extreme Water Shortage in Victoria: Lessons from the Millennium Drought covers lessons learned and key actions Victoria took in response to the drought, including:

  • How water managers strengthened our water planning framework and entitlements.
  • Better ways to manage future dry conditions.
  • Steps taken to ensure fair, efficient and appropriate use of water.
  • How to address low water availability.

These improvements put Victoria in a good position for future drought planning.

Page last updated: 08/09/23