This project will support farmers to become climate-ready by improving on-farm water use, storage options and security. Through hands-on extension, demonstration sites and trials, it delivers practical solutions to help farmes adapt to a changing climate, make the most of available water, reduce the impact of pest herbivore species, and build resilince into their farming businesses.

Project description: 

The state-wide Climate Resilient Landscapes project, led by South Australia’s Landscape Boards, is an on-ground initiative designed to support farmers and land managers to strengthen landscape resilience to dry conditions and improve preparedness, response and recovery from drought. The project focuses on practical actions that improve water management, groundcover, soil health, native vegetation function and livestock management across diverse farming systems.

Through hands-on extension, demonstration sites and applied trials, the project provides producers with practical solutions to adapt to a changing climate, optimise available water resources, reduce impacts from pest herbivore species and build long-term resilience into farming businesses. A key objective is supporting farmers to become climate-ready by improving water use efficiency, storage options and overall water security at the farm scale.

SA Drought Hub investment supports activities that improve and optimise on-farm water capture, storage and retention, alongside initiatives that enhance reticulation systems and increase the efficiency of water use. Project delivery includes development of an On-Farm Water Checklist to guide better water management decisions, establishment of Waterwise Farming demonstration sites and trials exploring innovative approaches to water security and efficiency, and delivery of five extension events to share learnings, technologies and practical outcomes with producers and advisors across the state.

Key achievements and results: 

2025 project update

The Waterwise Farming project has made strong progress in its first year, focusing on practical ways to improve on-farm water security, efficiency, and resilience. Several demonstration sites have been established, including a lined catchment in the Barossa, dam fencing and revegetation at Emu Downs, and a large-scale water infrastructure project at Burra. These sites are designed to show how farmers can improve water capture, storage, quality, and distribution, while also supporting livestock performance and reducing pressure on key areas of the farm.

The project has been well received by farmers and advisors, with strong interest in improving water management despite the challenges associated with infrastructure costs. Landholders have been actively involved in shaping project activities, contributing ideas and engaging in planning. A Waterwise Field Day is currently in development, with speakers and demonstrations confirmed, and will provide a key opportunity for farmers to see these approaches in practice and learn from others across the region.

To support decision-making, the project has also developed a Water Audit Tool (On-Farm Water Checklist, to be made available in the near future), helping farmers assess their current water systems and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and plan for future conditions. Together, these on-ground demonstrations and tools are supporting farmers and advisors to make more informed decisions around water use, improve productivity, and build resilience to dry seasons.

Further information:

As of mid-2026, this project has established four demonstration sites showcasing practical approaches to improving on-farm water security under a range of farming systems and landscapes. These demonstrations are providing producers with real-world examples of how infrastructure investment, improved water management and alternative water sources can strengthen drought preparedness while delivering productivity and environmental benefits.

Early engagement has shown strong producer interest in practical water management solutions, particularly where demonstrations address common challenges such as declining water quality, stock access to dams, water availability and evaporation losses. Workshops have enabled producers to compare different approaches and better understand the costs, benefits and practical considerations of implementing water infrastructure on their own properties.

Project progress includes:

• Established demonstration sites showcasing lined catchments, dam enhancement, reticulated watering systems and dam evaporation management, providing practical examples of water security solutions under different farming systems.
• Demonstrated how fencing dams and installing reticulated watering systems can improve water quality, protect waterways, enhance biodiversity and improve livestock access to cleaner drinking water.
• Showcased innovative approaches to making better use of existing water resources, including blending saline bore water with dam water to improve water quality and increase overall water-use efficiency.
• Delivered field days and workshops covering water infrastructure, desalination technologies and seeding practices that improve water-use efficiency, helping producers better understand available options and their practical application.
• Developed an online On-farm Water Calculator to support producers in estimating livestock water requirements and planning future water infrastructure investments.