This project will ensure land managers are provided with training and tools to take the next steps in their climate-ready journey. This includes understanding on-farm water requirements via on-farm water audits and planning to optimise efficiency balancing environmental and production needs, reducing pressure on the regional water resource and improving soil health and groundcover.

Project description: 

This project supports farmers to strengthen on-farm water security and improve drought resilience through practical advice, training, and demonstration activities. By combining technical expertise with on-ground support, the project helps landholders better capture, store and manage water resources while improving whole-farm decision-making.

Farmers will receive tailored advice through on-farm water security audits and regional field days. These activities will improve water literacy and understanding of water markets, risk management strategies, and water budgeting, while supporting more efficient reticulation systems and improved water capture, storage and retention. The project also builds adviser capability, ensuring trusted advisors are equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to support farmers in implementing drought resilience strategies.

Delivered collaboratively by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Fleurieu Farming Systems, and Fleurieu Pumps, project activities include field days focused on water use efficiency and technology, a whole-farm water management masterclass, and a pasture irrigation workshop for producers in the Myponga region. Twenty-five participating farms will undertake detailed water security audits, providing individual assessments and water budgeting scenarios to guide planning, trigger points and operational decision-making.

Additional activities will focus on improving soil moisture holding capacity through targeted soil capacity-building events, alongside ongoing support for farmers through individual planning assistance and extension delivery. Maintenance of thirteen local weather stations will further support improved seasonal decision-making across the region.

Together, these activities provide practical, regionally relevant solutions that help farmers optimise water use, strengthen farm planning processes and build long-term resilience to drought and climate variability.

Key achievements and results: 

The project has focused on establishing the technical foundation needed to improve drought preparedness across the Hills and Fleurieu region. While the project is still underway, important progress has been made in maintaining monitoring infrastructure, progressing farm water assessments and refining the delivery of extension activities to better align with producer needs and seasonal conditions.

Grower feedback has reinforced the importance of delivering practical, timely information that supports on-farm decision-making. Strong interest in improving water security has been demonstrated, with producers keen to participate in water audits and upcoming workshops despite delays associated with contractor availability and workshop scheduling.

Project progress as of mid-2026 includes:

• Maintenance of the regional weather station network has been completed, identifying sensor repairs and upgrades required to maintain reliable climate monitoring.
• On-farm water audits are progressing, with producers demonstrating strong interest in improving water security despite delays caused by limited specialist contractor availability.
• Upcoming workshops have been refined to better match producer priorities and seasonal timing, including sessions on bore health, water budgeting, dam maintenance and water decision-support tools.
• A regional study tour to the Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) has been planned to showcase practical water management and pasture resilience initiatives.
• The project continues to adapt its delivery in response to producer feedback, ensuring activities remain practical, relevant and aligned with local farming priorities.

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