Part 1 Introduction
Note—
Part 12 allows for amendments to be made to Part 1.
1 Name of this Plan
This Plan is the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Murray Darling Basin Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2011 (hereafter this Plan).
2 Nature and status of this Plan
(1) This Plan is made under section 50 of the Water Management Act 2000 (hereafter the Act).(2) This Plan is a plan for water sharing, and generally deals with the matters set out in sections 20 and 21 of the Act, as well as other sections of the Act.Note—Where a provision of this Plan is made under another section of the Act, the section is referred to in notes to this Plan.
3 Commencement of this Plan
This Plan commences on 16 January 2012.Notes—1In accordance with section 43 of the Act, this Plan will have effect for 10 years from 1 July 2012.2The Minister may extend this Plan for a further period of 10 years after it is due to expire, in accordance with section 43A of the Act.
4 Application of this Plan
(1) This Plan applies to the NSW Murray Darling Basin Porous Rock Groundwater Sources (hereafter these groundwater sources) comprised of the following groundwater sources within the Border Rivers Water Management Area, the Central West Water Management Area, the Gwydir Water Management Area, the Lower Murray Darling Water Management Area, the Murray Water Management Area, the Murrumbidgee Water Management Area, the Namoi Water Management Area and the Western Water Management Area:(a) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source,(b) Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source,(c) Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(d) Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.Note—The Border Rivers Water Management Area, Central West Water Management Area, Gwydir Water Management Area, Lower Murray Darling Water Management Area, Murray Water Management Area, Murrumbidgee Water Management Area, Namoi Water Management Area and Western Water Management Area were constituted by Ministerial order made under section 11 of the Water Management Act 2000 published in the NSW Government Gazette No 180 on 23 November 2001 at page 9389.(2) These groundwater sources are shown on the Plan Map called the Plan Map (WSP013_Version 2), Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Murray Darling Basin Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2011 (hereafter the Plan Map) held by the Department.Note—The Plan Map is part of this Plan. An overview of the Plan Map is shown in Appendix 1. Copies of the Plan Map may be inspected at the offices listed in Appendix 2 and are available on the NSW Legislation website.(3) Subject to subclause (8), the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source includes all water contained in:(a) all rocks of Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary age within the outcropped and buried areas, andwithin the boundary of the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source as shown on the Plan Map.(b) all alluvial sediments within the outcropped areas,(4) The Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source includes all water contained in all rocks of Permian and Triassic age within the boundary of the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source as shown on the Plan Map.(5) Subject to subclause (8), the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source includes all water contained in:(a) all rocks of Permian, Triassic, Jurassic Cretaceous and Tertiary age within the outcropped and buried areas, andwithin the boundary of the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source as shown on the Plan Map.(b) all alluvial sediments within the outcropped areas,(6) Subject to subclause (8), the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source includes all water contained in:(a) all rocks of Tertiary and Quaternary age within the outcropped and buried areas, andwithin the boundary of the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source as shown on the Plan Map.(b) all alluvial sediments within the outcropped areas,(7) (Repealed)(8) These groundwater sources do not include water contained in:(a) the water source as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source 2003,(b) the water source as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Lachlan Groundwater Source 2003,(c) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Macquarie Groundwater Sources 2003,(d) the water source as defined the Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Murray Groundwater Source,(e) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater Sources 2003,(f) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Upper and Lower Namoi Groundwater Sources 2003,(g) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Great Artesian Basin Groundwater Sources 2008,(h) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvium and Fractured Rock Water Sources 2010,(i) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Castlereagh (below Binnaway) Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2011,(j) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Murray Darling Basin Fractured Rock Groundwater Sources 2011,(k) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Murray-Darling Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2011,(l) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Great Artesian Basin Shallow Groundwater Sources 2011,(m) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Barwon-Darling Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2012, and(n) the water sources as defined in the Water Sharing Plan for the Macquarie Bogan Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2012.Note—Buried porous rock groundwater sources underlie other rock type aquifers. Bores drilled through overlying unconsolidated alluvial sediments or other rock sediments may still be drawing water from porous rock groundwater sources.cl 4: Am 2012 No 42, Sch 2.59 [1] [2]; 2013 (54), Sch 1 [1]–[7].
5 Management zones
(1) For the purposes of this Plan, the following groundwater sources are divided into the following management zones:(a) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source:(i) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone, which does not include water contained in rocks of Permian and Triassic age, and(ii) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone,Notes—1The Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone includes those parts of the parishes of Goran, Brothers, Howes Hill, Calala, Merrigula, Tamarang, Trinkey, Coolanbilla, Springfield, Weston, Doona, Mema, Rodd, Pringle, Lawson, Moredevil, Coomoo Coomoo, Yarraman and Kickebell in the County of Pottinger, and the parishes of Windy, Telford, Hudson and Moan in the County of Bucklan.2The Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone is also separated vertically from the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone, which is not displayed on the Plan Map.(b) Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source:(i) Sydney Basin MDB (Macquarie Oxley) Management Zone, which does not include water contained in rocks of Permian and Triassic age, and(ii) Sydney Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone.Note—The Sydney Basin MDB (Macquarie Oxley) Management Zone is also separated vertically from the Sydney Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone, which is not displayed on the Plan Map.(2) The management zones in subclause (1) are shown on the Plan Map.cl 5: Am 2012 No 42, Sch 2.59 [3]; 2013 (54), Sch 1 [2].
6 Understanding the rules in this Plan
This Plan contains various rules. Where appropriate, rules specified in this Plan are given effect by mandatory conditions for access licences and approvals contained in Part 11 of this Plan.Note—The rules in this Plan include environmental water rules, access licence dealing rules, rules for granting and managing access licences, rules for water supply work approvals, rules for the making of available water determinations and water allocation account rules.
7 Interpretation
(1) Words and expressions that are defined in the Dictionary in Schedule 1 to this Plan have the meaning set out in that Schedule.(2) Unless otherwise defined in this Plan, words and expressions that are defined in the Act or in regulations to the Act (hereafter the regulations) have the same meaning in this Plan.(3) Unless otherwise specified in this Plan, a clause that applies to a category of access licence also applies to any subcategories of that category of access licence.(4) Schedules to this Plan form part of this Plan.(5) Notes in the text of this Plan do not form part of this Plan.(6) Appendices to this Plan do not form part of this Plan.
Part 2 Vision, objectives, strategies and performance indicators
Note—
This Part is made in accordance with section 35 (1) of the Act.
8 Vision statement
The vision for this Plan is to provide for healthy and enhanced groundwater sources and water dependent ecosystems and for equitable water sharing among users in these groundwater sources.
9 Objectives
The objectives of this Plan are to:(a) protect, preserve, maintain and enhance the high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems and important river flow dependent ecosystems of these groundwater sources,(b) protect, preserve, maintain and enhance the Aboriginal, cultural and heritage values of these groundwater sources,(c) protect basic landholder rights,(d) manage these groundwater sources to ensure equitable sharing between users,(e) provide opportunities for enhanced market based trading of access licences and water allocations within environmental and system constraints,(f) provide water allocation account management rules which allow sufficient flexibility in water use,(g) contribute to the maintenance of water quality,(h) provide recognition of the connectivity between surface water and groundwater,(i) adaptively manage these groundwater sources, and(j) contribute to the environmental and other public benefit outcomes identified under the Water Access Entitlements and Planning Framework in the Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative (2004) (hereafter the NWI).Note—Under the NWI, water that is provided by NSW to meet agreed environmental and other public benefit outcomes as defined within relevant water plans is to:(i) be given statutory recognition and have at least the same degree of security as water access entitlements for consumptive use and be fully accounted for,(ii) be defined as the water management arrangements required to meet the outcomes sought, including water provided on a rules basis or held as a water access entitlement, and(iii) if held as a water access entitlement, may be made available to be traded (where physically possible) on the temporary market, when not required to meet the environmental and other public benefit outcomes sought and provided such trading is not in conflict with these outcomes.
10 Strategies
The strategies of this Plan are to:(a) establish environmental water rules,(b) identify water requirements for basic landholder rights,(c) identify water requirements for access licences,(d) establish rules for the granting of access licences and approvals,(e) establish rules that place limits on the availability of water for extraction,(f) establish rules for making available water determinations,(g) establish rules for the operation of water accounts,(h) establish rules which specify the circumstances under which water may be extracted,(i) establish access licence dealing rules,(j) establish performance indicators, and(k) identify triggers for and limits to changes to the rules in this Plan.
11 Performance indicators
The following indicators are to be used to measure the success of the strategies to reach the objectives of this Plan:(a) change in or maintenance of, the ecological value of key groundwater sources and their dependent ecosystems,(b) the extent to which basic landholder rights requirements have been met including native title rights requirements,(c) change in local water utility access,(d) the extent to which local water utility requirements have been met,(e) change in economic benefits derived from groundwater extraction and use, and(f) the extent of recognition of spiritual, social and customary values of water to Aboriginal people.
Part 3 Bulk access regime
12 Bulk access regime
(1) This Plan establishes a bulk access regime for the extraction of water under access licences in these groundwater sources, having regard to:(a) the environmental water rules established in Part 4 of this Plan,(b) the requirements for water for basic landholder rights identified in Division 2 of Part 5 of this Plan,(c) the requirements for water for extraction under access licences identified in Division 3 of Part 5 of this Plan, and(d) the access licence dealing rules established in Part 10 of this Plan.(2) The bulk access regime established in this Plan for these groundwater sources:(a) recognises and is consistent with the limits to the availability of water set in relation to these groundwater sources contained in Division 1 of Part 6 of this Plan,(b) establishes rules according to which access licences are to be granted and managed contained in Parts 7 and 8 of this Plan, and available water determinations to be made contained in Division 2 of Part 6 of this Plan,(c) recognises the effect of climatic variability on the availability of water as described in clause 13,(d) establishes rules with respect to the priorities according to which water allocations are to be adjusted as a consequence of any reduction in the availability of water due to an increase in average annual extraction against the long-term average annual extraction limit, contained in Division 1 of Part 6 of this Plan,(e) contains provisions with respect to the conditions that must be imposed as mandatory conditions on access licences, contained in Division 2 of Part 11 of this Plan, and(f) recognises and is consistent with the water management principles contained in section 5 of the Act.
13 Climatic variability
This Plan recognises the effects of climatic variability on groundwater levels in these groundwater sources by having provisions that manage the sharing of water in these groundwater sources within the limits of water availability on a long-term average annual basis and the priorities according to which water allocations are to be adjusted as a consequence of any reduction in the availability of water due to an increase in average annual extraction against the long-term average annual extraction limit, contained in Division 1 of Part 6.Note—Other statutory tools are available to manage climatic variability within a groundwater source, for example, temporary water restrictions under section 324 of the Act.
Part 4 Planned environmental water provisions
Notes—
1
This Part is made in accordance with sections 8, 8A and 20 of the Act.
2
Part 12 allows for amendments to be made to Part 4.
14 General
This Part contains environmental water rules for the commitment, identification, establishment and maintenance of planned environmental water in these groundwater sources.Note—In accordance with the Act, planned environmental water is water that is committed by management plans for fundamental ecosystem health or other specified environmental purposes, either generally or at specified times or in specified circumstances, and that cannot to the extent committed be taken or used for any other purpose.
15 Commitment and identification of planned environmental water
(1) Planned environmental water is committed and identified in these groundwater sources as set out in this clause.(2) Water is committed and identified as planned environmental water in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source, Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source and Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source in the following ways:(a) by reference to the commitment of the physical presence of water in the groundwater source,(b) by reference to the long-term average annual commitment of water as planned environmental water, and(c) by reference to the water that is not committed after the commitments to basic landholder rights, and for sharing and extraction under any other rights, have been met.
16 Establishment and maintenance of planned environmental water
(1) Planned environmental water is established and maintained in these groundwater sources as set out in this clause.(2) Planned environmental water in these groundwater sources is established as follows:(a) it is the physical presence of water:(i) in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source that is equal to 50% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in those areas that are not high environmental value areas, 100% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in high environmental value areas at the commencement of this Plan and 99.998% of the long-term groundwater storage,Note—At the commencement of this Plan the long-term average annual rainfall recharge for the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source is estimated to be 411,280 ML/year in those areas that are not high environmental value areas and 14,773 ML/year in high environmental value areas.(ii) in the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source that is equal to 100% of the long-term average annual recharge and 99.998% of the long-term groundwater storage,Note—The Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source is completely buried and is not recharged by rainfall.(iii) in the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source that is equal to 30% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in those areas that are not high environmental value areas, 100% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in high environmental value areas at the commencement of this Plan and 99.998% of the long-term groundwater storage, andNote—At the commencement of this Plan the long-term average annual rainfall recharge for the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source is estimated to be 86,347 ML/year in those areas that are not high environmental value areas and 4,640 ML/year in high environmental value areas.(iv) in the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source that is equal to 50% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in those areas that are not high environmental value areas, 100% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in high environmental value areas at the commencement of this Plan and 100% of the long-term groundwater storage,Note—At the commencement of this Plan the long-term average annual rainfall recharge for the Western Murray Groundwater Source is estimated to be 1,060,971 ML/year in those areas that are not high environmental value areas and 42,994 ML/year in high environmental value areas.Notes—1Groundwater sources generally store large volumes of water, often accumulated over thousands or even tens of thousands of years. This Plan allows access to a very small percentage of the storage component of some of these groundwater sources over the long-term. This means that, over the long-term, the storage component of these groundwater sources will not be depleted as a result of extraction.2The recharge estimates for these groundwater sources are based on rainfall infiltration.3The portion of recharge reserved for the environment is not the same for every groundwater source, having regard to the different levels of socio-economic reliance and environmental values for each groundwater source.(b) it is the long-term average annual commitment of water as planned environmental water in:(i) the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, which is equal to 50% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in areas that are not high environmental value areas, 100% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in high environmental value areas at the commencement of this Plan and 99.998% of the long-term groundwater storage,(ii) the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source, which is equal to 100% of the long-term average annual recharge and 99.998% of the long-term groundwater storage,(iii) the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source, which is equal to 30% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in areas that are not high environmental value areas, 100% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in high environmental value areas at the commencement of this Plan and 99.998% of the long-term groundwater storage, and(iv) the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source, which is equal to 50% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in areas that are not high environmental value areas, 100% of the long-term average annual rainfall recharge in high environmental value areas at the commencement of this Plan and 100% of the long-term groundwater storage, and(c) it is the water remaining in these groundwater sources after water has been taken pursuant to basic landholder rights and access licences in accordance with the rules specified in Part 6 and Part 8 of this Plan.(3) The planned environmental water established under subclause (2) (a) is maintained in these groundwater sources by the rules specified in Part 6 and Part 8 of this Plan.(4) The planned environmental water established under subclause (2) (b) is maintained in these groundwater sources by the rules specified in Part 6 of this Plan which limit the water available for extraction under access licences.(5) The planned environmental water established under subclause (2) (c) is maintained in these groundwater sources by the rules specified in Part 6 and Part 8 of this Plan.Note—The rules in Part 6 ensure that there will be water remaining in these water sources over the long term by maintaining compliance with the long-term average annual extraction limit. The rules in Part 6 provide for a reduction in available water determinations when the long-term average annual extraction limits have been assessed to have been exceeded.cl 16: Am 2012 No 42, Sch 2.59 [4]; 2013 (54), Sch 1 [8].
Part 5 Requirements for water
Division 1 General
17 Application
(1) This Part identifies the requirements for water from these groundwater sources for basic landholder rights (Division 2) and for extraction under access licences (Division 3).(2) The amounts of water specified in this Part represent the estimated water requirements of persons entitled to basic landholder rights in these groundwater sources and the total volumes or unit shares to be specified in the share components of all access licences in these groundwater sources. The actual volumes of water available for extraction in these groundwater sources at any time will depend on factors such as climatic variability, access licence priority and the rules in this Plan.(3) This Plan recognises that basic landholder rights in these groundwater sources and the total share components of all access licences authorised to extract water from these groundwater sources may change during the term of this Plan. This Plan manages such changes by having provisions that manage the sharing of water within the limits of water availability, as provided for in Division 1 of Part 6 of this Plan.Note—The total share components of access licences in these groundwater sources may change during the term of this Plan as a result of:(a) the grant, surrender or cancellation of access licences in these groundwater sources,(b) the variation of local water utility licences under section 66 of the Act, or(c) changes due to the volumetric conversion of Water Act 1912 entitlements that are currently non-volumetric.
Division 2 Requirements for water for basic landholder rights
18 Domestic and stock rights
At the commencement of this Plan, the water requirements of persons entitled to domestic and stock rights in these groundwater sources are estimated to total 32,990 megalitres per year (hereafter ML/year), distributed as follows:(a) 5,778 ML/year in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source,(b) 0 ML/year in the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source,(c) 465 ML/year in the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(d) 26,747 ML/year in the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.Notes—1Domestic and stock rights are set out in Division 1 of Part 1 of Chapter 3 of the Act and must be exercised in accordance with any mandatory guidelines established under the Act with respect to the taking and use of water for domestic consumption or stock watering.2Inherent water quality and land use activities may make the water in some areas unsuitable for human consumption. Water from these groundwater sources should not be consumed without first being tested and, if necessary, appropriately treated. Such testing and treatment is the responsibility of the water user.
19 Native title rights
At the commencement of this Plan, there are no native title rights in these groundwater sources. Therefore the water requirements for native title rights total 0 ML/year.Note—A change in native title rights may occur pursuant to the provisions of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
Division 3 Requirements for water for extraction under access licences
20 Share components of domestic and stock access licences
It is estimated that at the time of commencement of this Plan, the share components of domestic and stock access licences authorised to take water from these groundwater sources will total 0 ML/year.
21 Share components of local water utility access licences
It is estimated that at the time of commencement of this Plan, the share components of local water utility access licences authorised to take water from these groundwater sources will total 112 ML/year, distributed as follows:(a) 112 ML/year in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source,(b) 0 ML/year in the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source,(c) 0 ML/year in the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(d) 0 ML/year in the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.
22 Share components of aquifer access licences
It is estimated that at the time of commencement of this Plan, the share components of aquifer access licences authorised to take water from these groundwater sources will total 40,634 unit shares, distributed as follows:(a) 16,513 unit shares in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source,(b) 0 unit shares in the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source,(c) 2,657 unit shares in the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(d) 21,780 unit shares in the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.cl 22: Am 2013 (54), Sch 1 [9].
23 Share components of salinity and water table management access licences
It is estimated that at the time of commencement of this Plan, the share components of salinity and water table management access licences authorised to take water from the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source will total 14,582 ML/year.
Part 6 Limits to the availability of water
Division 1 Long-term extraction limits
24 General
The availability of water for extraction in these groundwater sources on a long-term basis is to be managed in accordance with this Part.
25 Volume of the long-term extraction limits
(1) This clause establishes long-term average annual extraction limits and groundwater storage extraction limits for these groundwater sources.(2) Subject to any variation under subclause (3), the long-term average annual extraction limit for access licences, other than supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences, and water taken pursuant to basic landholder rights is:(a) 205,640 ML/year for the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source,(b) 0 ML/year for the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source,(c) 60,443 ML/year for the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater, and(d) 530,486 ML/year for the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.(3) Following the surrender and cancellation of an access licence in these groundwater sources under section 77 and 77A of the Act, the Minister may vary the respective long-term average annual extraction limit.Notes—1The long-term average annual extraction limit for each groundwater source is equal to the long-term average annual rainfall recharge minus the amount of recharge reserved as planned environmental water under clause 16 (2).2The long-term average annual extraction limit is an average annual limit.3Under section 8F of the Act, the long-term extraction limit is taken to be varied by the amount of any change to the amount of water committed as licensed environmental water. Water committed as licensed environmental water is not to be accounted for as extraction. The variation in the long-term extraction limit is to be determined in accordance with a methodology approved by the Minister and published in the Gazette.(4) The groundwater storage extraction limit for supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences is:(a) 0.002% of the total storage capacity of the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source,(b) 0.002% of the total storage capacity of the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source,(c) 0.002% of the total storage capacity of the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(d) 0% of the total storage capacity of the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.Notes—1The groundwater storage extraction limit for each groundwater source is equal to the total storage capacity of the groundwater source over the long-term minus the percentage of the total storage capacity reserved as planned environmental water under clause 16 (2).2The groundwater storage extraction limit is a total cumulative limit.Note—Part 12 allows for amendments to be made to clause 25.cl 25: Am 2013 (54), Sch 1 [10].
26 Calculation of current levels of annual extraction
(1) After each water year, the total volume of water extracted during that water year under access licences and pursuant to domestic and stock rights and native title rights must be calculated for each groundwater source specified in clause 4 (1).(2) For the purpose of calculating the total volume of water extracted during a water year, the following must be taken into account:(a) all water taken by holders of all categories of access licences in the respective groundwater source, and(b) all water taken pursuant to domestic and stock rights and native title rights in the groundwater source.
27 Assessment of extraction against the long-term extraction limits
(1) An assessment of average annual extractions against the long term average annual extraction limit is to be conducted for access licences other than supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in each groundwater source as set out in subclause (2).(2) Commencing in the fourth water year in which this Plan has effect, the assessments referred to in subclause (1) must compare the long-term average annual extraction limits established in clause 25 (2) against the annual extraction averaged over the preceding three water years except for extraction under supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences.(3) An assessment of cumulative extractions against the groundwater storage extraction limit is to be conducted for supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in each groundwater source as set out in subclause (4).(4) Commencing in the second water year after the first supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence is granted under clause 31, the assessment referred to in subclause (3) must compare the groundwater storage extraction limit established in clause 25 (4) against the extraction that has occurred since the granting of the first supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence.
28 Compliance with the long-term extraction limits
(1) Pursuant to section 58 (4) of the Act, this Plan amends the relative priorities of the categories of the aquifer access licence and salinity and water table management access licence to the extent necessary to make the reductions to available water determinations as set out in this clause.(2) Compliance with the long-term average annual extraction limits established for access licences, other than supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences, and water taken pursuant to basic landholder rights in each groundwater source is to be managed in accordance with subclause (3).(3) Commencing in the fourth water year in which this Plan has effect, if in the Minister’s opinion the assessment under clause 27 (2) demonstrates that annual extractions except for extractions under supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in the respective groundwater source averaged over the preceding three water years have exceeded the long-term average annual extraction limit specified in clause 25 (2) for that groundwater source by 5% or more, then the available water determinations for aquifer access licences in that groundwater source are to be reduced in the following water year in accordance with subclause (4).(4) The reduction under subclause (3) is to be of an amount that is, in the Minister’s opinion, necessary to return average annual extractions in the respective groundwater source to the long-term average annual extraction limit established in clause 25 (2).(5) Compliance with the groundwater storage extraction limits established for supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in each groundwater source is to be managed in accordance with subclause (6).(6) Commencing in the second water year after the first supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence is granted under clause 31, if in the Minister’s opinion the assessment under clause 27 (4) demonstrates that total extractions under supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in the respective groundwater source has exceeded the groundwater storage extraction limit specified in clause 25 (4) for that groundwater source, then the available water determinations for supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in that groundwater source are to be reduced to 0% of the access licence share component for each water year thereafter.Notes—1Clause 31 (4) limits the granting of supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences to within the groundwater storage extraction limit. The effect of this is that non-compliance with the long-term groundwater storage extraction limit is unlikely.2If the available water determination for supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences is reduced to 0% of the access licence share component within a groundwater source, all supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in that groundwater source will be cancelled under section 77A of the Act.
Division 2 Available water determinations
29 General
(1) Available water determinations for access licences with a share component that specifies one of these groundwater sources are to be expressed as either:(a) a percentage of share component, for access licences where share components are specified as megalitres per year, or(b) megalitres per unit share, for access licences where share components are specified as a number of unit shares.(2) The sum of available water determinations made for any access licence with a share component that specifies one of these groundwater sources must not, in any water year, exceed:(a) 100% of the access licence share component or such lower amount that results from Division 1 of this Part, for all access licences where share components are specified as ML/year, or(b) 1 megalitre per unit share of the access licence share component or such lower amount that results from Division 1 of this Part, for all access licences where share components are specified as a number of unit shares.
30 Available water determinations
(1) In making available water determinations under section 59 of the Act, the Minister should consider the rules in this clause.(2) At the commencement of this Plan and at the commencement of each water year after the first water year in which this Plan has effect, the following available water determinations should be made for access licences with a share component that specifies one of these groundwater sources:(a) 100% of the access licence share component for domestic and stock access licences,(b) 100% of the access licence share component for local water utility access licences,(c) 100% of the access licence share component for salinity and water table management access licences,(d) 100% of the access licence share component for supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences, andor such lower amount that results from Division 1 of this Part.(e) 1 ML per unit share of the share component for aquifer access licences,Note—Division 1 of this Part provides for available water determinations for aquifer access licences where the long-term average annual extraction limit for a groundwater source has been assessed to have been exceeded. Division 1 of this Part also provides for available water determinations for supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences where the groundwater storage extraction limit for a groundwater source has been assessed to have been exceeded.
Part 7 Rules for granting access licences
Notes—
1
This Part is made in accordance with sections 20, 61 and 63 of the Act.
2
Access licences granted in these groundwater sources will be subject to mandatory conditions and discretionary conditions.
31 Specific purpose access licences
(1) Applications for specific purpose access licences, other than those permitted under the regulations, may not be made in these water sources, except for:(a) supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source or the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(b) a salinity and water table management access licence with a share component that specifies the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.(2) A salinity and water table management access licence may be granted in the Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.(3) A supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence must not be granted in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source or the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source until such time as the Minister is of the opinion there is insufficient unassigned water in relation to the long-term average annual extraction limit established for the respective groundwater source to make further controlled allocation orders under section 65 of the Act.(4) A supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence must not be granted in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, the Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source or the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source if in the Minister’s opinion the granting of that access licence would lead to an exceedance of the groundwater storage extraction limit specified in clause 25 (4) for that groundwater source.(5) A specific purpose access licence must not be granted in these groundwater sources unless the Minister is satisfied that the share and extraction component of the access licence is the minimum required to meet the circumstances in which the access licence is proposed to be used.(6) An access licence of the subcategory “Aboriginal cultural” must not be granted in these groundwater sources unless the share component of the proposed access licence is less than or equal to 10 ML/year.
32 Granting of access licences as a result of controlled allocation
The Minister may grant an access licence where the right to apply for the licence has been acquired in accordance with an order made under section 65 of the Act.
Part 8 Rules for managing access licences
Note—
Part 12 allows for amendments to be made to Part 8.
33 General
The rules in this Part apply to the taking of water under an access licence with a share component that specifies one of these groundwater sources.Note—The Act provides for the keeping of water allocation accounts. The rules in this Part impose further restrictions on the volume of water that may be taken under an access licence over a specified period of time. These restrictions are in addition to any other limits for the taking of water contained in this Plan. For further clarification, these rules do not authorise the taking of more water than is credited to the respective water allocation accounts for the access licence at the time water is taken. It is an offence under the Act to take water otherwise than in accordance with the water allocation for the access licence.
34 Individual access licence account management rules
(1) In any water year, water taken under an aquifer access licence with a share component that specifies one of these groundwater sources must not exceed a volume equal to:(a) the sum of water allocations accrued to the water allocation account for the access licence from available water determinations in that water year, plus(b) the water allocations carried over from the water year prior to that water year under subclause (2), plus(c) the net amount of any water allocations assigned to or from the water allocation account for the access licence under section 71T of the Act in that water year, plus(d) any water allocations re-credited to the water allocation account for the access licence in accordance with section 76 of the Act in that water year.(2) The maximum water allocation that can be carried over in a water allocation account for an aquifer access licence in these groundwater sources from one water year to the next is equal to:(a) 25% of the access licence share component for access licences with share components expressed as ML/year, or(b) 0.25 ML per unit share of access licence share component for access licences with share components expressed as a number of unit shares.(3) In any water year, water taken under a domestic and stock access licence, salinity and water table management access licence, local water utility access licence or a supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence with a share component that specifies one of these groundwater sources must not exceed a volume equal to:(a) the sum of water allocations accrued to the water allocation account for the access licence from available water determinations in that water year, plus(b) the net amount of any water allocations assigned to or from the water allocation account for the access licence under section 71T of the Act in that water year, plus(c) any water allocations re-credited to the water allocation account for the access licence in accordance with section 76 of the Act in that water year.(4) Water allocations remaining in the water allocation account for a domestic and stock access licence, salinity and water table management access licence, local water utility access licence or a supplementary water access licence (subcategory “storage”) in these groundwater sources cannot be carried over from one water year to the next.
Part 9 Rules for water supply work approvals
Notes—
1
This Part is made in accordance with sections 5, 21 and 95 of the Act.
2
Part 12 allows for amendments to be made to Part 9.
35 General
The rules in this Part apply to water supply work approvals for water supply works that may be used to take water from these groundwater sources.
36 Rules for amending water supply work approvals for replacement groundwater works
(1) The Minister may amend a water supply work approval to alter the water supply work to which the approval relates if the Minister is satisfied that the amendment is to authorise a replacement groundwater work.(2) For the purpose of this Plan, replacement groundwater work means a water supply work that replaces an existing water supply work constructed and used for the purpose of taking water from an aquifer where:(a) the existing water supply work is authorised by a water supply work approval under the Act,(b) the replacement groundwater work is to be constructed to extract water from the same groundwater source as the existing water supply work,(c) the replacement groundwater work is to be constructed to extract water from:(i) the same depth as the existing water supply work, or(ii) a different depth if the Minister is satisfied that doing so will result in no greater impact on a water source or its dependent ecosystems,(d) the replacement groundwater work is to be located:(i) within 20 metres of the existing water supply work, or(ii) more than 20 metres from the existing water supply work if the Minister is satisfied that doing so will result in no greater impact on a groundwater source or its dependent ecosystems,(e) if the existing water supply work is located within 40 metres of the high bank of a river, the replacement groundwater work is to be located:(i) within 20 metres of the existing water supply work but no closer to the high bank of the river, or(ii) more than 20 metres from the existing water supply work but no closer to the high bank of the river if the Minister is satisfied that doing so will result in no greater impact on a water source or its dependent ecosystems,(f) the replacement groundwater work must not have a greater internal diameter or excavation footprint than the existing water supply work, except where the internal diameter of the casing of the existing water supply work is no longer manufactured, in which case the internal diameter of the replacement groundwater work is to be no greater than 110% of the internal diameter of the existing water supply work it replaces. For the purpose of this paragraph, internal diameter means the diameter of the inside of the casing of the water supply work which is a water bore and excavation footprint means the authorised dimensions of a water supply work which is an unlined excavation constructed for the purposes of water supply only.(3) For the purposes of subclause (2) (c) (ii), the Minister may require that the applicant submit a hydrogeological study, assessed as adequate by the Minister, to demonstrate that the construction of the water supply work at a different depth to the existing water supply work will result in no greater impact on a groundwater source or its dependent ecosystems.(4) For the purposes of subclause (2) (d) (ii) or (e) (ii), the Minister may require that the applicant submit a hydrogeological study, assessed as adequate by the Minister, to demonstrate that the location of the water supply work at a distance greater than 20 metres from the existing water supply work will result in no greater impact on a groundwater source or its dependent ecosystems.Note—The Minister may amend an approval on the application of the holder of the approval under section 107 of the Act. The operation of section 107 (3) of the Act may further restrict the replacement of an existing water supply work.
37 Rules to minimise interference between water supply works
(1) A water supply work approval must not be granted or amended to authorise the construction of a water supply work which, in the Minister’s opinion, is located within:(a) 400 metres of a water supply work on another landholding that is authorised to take water from the same groundwater source pursuant to an access licence,(b) 100 metres of a water supply work on another landholding that is authorised to take water from the same groundwater source pursuant to basic landholder rights,(c) 200 metres from the boundary of the land, on which the water supply work is located, unless the owner of the land adjoining the boundary has provided consent in writing,(d) 500 metres of a water supply work authorised to take water from the same groundwater source by a local water utility or a major utility, unless the local water utility or major utility has provided consent in writing, or(e) 200 metres of a NSW Office of Water observation or monitoring bore, unless the Minister has provided consent in writing.(2) The distance restrictions specified in subclause (1) do not apply to the grant or amendment of a water supply work approval if the Minister is satisfied that:(a) the water supply work is solely for basic landholder rights,(b) the water supply work is a replacement groundwater work,(c) the water supply work is for the purpose of monitoring, environmental management or remedial works, or(d) the location of the water supply work at a lesser distance would result in no more than minimal impact on existing extractions within these groundwater sources.(3) For the purpose of subclause (2) (d), the Minister may request the applicant to undertake a hydrogeological study, submitted by the applicant and assessed as adequate by the Minister, to demonstrate that the location of the water supply work at a lesser distance would result in no more than minimal impact on existing extractions within these water sources.(4) If an approval is granted in circumstances where subclause (2) (d) applies, the approval must be subject to a requirement that, when directed by the Minister by notice in writing, the approval holder must carry out all actions required by the Minister and specified in the notice to minimise the impact of the water supply work on existing water levels or extraction, if the Minister is satisfied that the location of the water supply work is causing more than minimal impact on existing water levels or extraction.(5) An approval that authorises the construction of a water supply work to take water under a supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence must be subject to a requirement that the water supply work is constructed to a depth determined by the Minister as necessary to protect existing extraction from the groundwater source.
38 Rules for water supply works located near contamination sources
(1) A water supply work approval must not be granted or amended to authorise the construction of a water supply work which, in the Minister’s opinion is located:(a) within 250 metres of the plume associated with a contamination source listed in Schedule 2,(b) between 250 metres and 500 metres of the plume associated with a contamination source listed in Schedule 2, unless the Minister is satisfied that no drawdown of water will occur within 250 metres of that plume, or(c) at a distance that is more than 500 metres from the plume associated with a contamination source listed in Schedule 2, if a greater distance is determined by the Minister to be necessary to protect the water source, the environment or public health and safety.(2) The distance restrictions specified in subclause (1) do not apply to the grant or amendment of a water supply work approval if the Minister is satisfied that:(a) the proposed distance is adequate to protect the groundwater source, its dependent ecosystems and public health and safety, or(b) the water supply work is for the purpose of monitoring, environmental management or remedial works.(3) For the purpose of subclause (2) (a), the Minister may request the applicant to undertake a hydrogeological study, submitted by the applicant and assessed as adequate by the Minister, to demonstrate that the location of the water supply work at a lesser distance would result in no greater impact on dependent ecosystems and public health and safety.
39 Rules for water supply works located near sensitive environmental areas
(1) A water supply work approval must not be granted or amended to authorise the construction of a water supply work which, in the Minister’s opinion, is located:(a) within 100 metres of a high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in clause 1 of Schedule 3 in the case of a water supply work used solely to take water pursuant to basic landholder rights,(b) within 200 metres of a high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in clause 1 of Schedule 3 in the case of a water supply work not used solely to take water pursuant to basic landholder rights,(c) at a distance that is more than 200 metres from a high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in clause 1 of Schedule 3, excluding water supply works used solely to take water pursuant to basic landholder rights, if the Minister is satisfied that the water supply work is likely to cause more than minimal drawdown at the perimeter of any high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in clause 1 of Schedule 3,(d) within 500 metres from a high priority karst environment groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in clause 2 of Schedule 3,(e) within 500 metres from the edge of an escarpment, where the location of the water supply work is to be above the escarpment, or(f) within 40 metres of the top of the high bank of a river.(2) The distance restrictions specified in subclause (1) (a) and (b) do not apply to the grant or amendment of a water supply work approval if the Minister is satisfied that no more than minimal drawdown of water will occur at the perimeter of any high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem in clause 1 of Schedule 3.(3) The distance restrictions specified in subclause (1) (a) and (b) do not apply to the grant or amendment of a water supply work approval where the water supply work being used to take groundwater is constructed and maintained using an impermeable pressure cement seal constructed from the surface of the land to a minimum depth of 30 metres or a greater depth as specified by the Minister.(4) The distance restrictions specified in subclause (1) do not apply to the grant or amendment of a water supply work approval if the Minister is satisfied that:(a) the water supply work is for the purpose of monitoring, environmental management or remedial works,(b) the water supply work replaces an existing water supply work that is part of a bore network for a major utility or a local water utility for the purpose of town water supply,(c) the water supply work is a replacement groundwater work, or(d) the location of the water supply work at a lesser distance would result in no greater impact on these groundwater sources and their dependent ecosystems.(5) The Minister may request the applicant to undertake a hydrogeological study, submitted by the applicant and assessed as adequate by the Minister, to demonstrate that:(a) for the purpose of subclause (2), no more than minimal drawdown of water will occur at the perimeter of any high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in Schedule 3, or(b) for the purposes of subclause (4) (d), the location of the water supply work at a lesser distance would result in no greater impact on these groundwater sources and their dependent ecosystems.
40 Rules for water supply works located near groundwater dependent culturally significant sites
(1) A water supply work approval must not be granted or amended to authorise the construction of a water supply work which, in the Minister’s opinion, is located within:(a) 100 metres of a groundwater dependent culturally significant site in the case of a water supply work used solely to take water pursuant to basic landholder rights, or(b) 200 metres of a groundwater dependent culturally significant site in the case of a water supply work not used solely to take water pursuant to basic landholder rights.(2) The distance restrictions specified in subclause (1) do not apply to the grant or amendment of a water supply work approval if the Minister is satisfied that:(a) the water supply work is for the purpose of monitoring, environmental management or remedial works,(b) the water supply work replaces an existing water supply work that is part of a bore network for a major utility or a local water utility for the purpose of town water supply,(c) the water supply work is sealed off to the nearest impervious layer above the slotted intervals of the water supply work with an impermeable seal constructed between the casing and the bore hole in accordance with any requirements specified by the Minister,(d) the water supply work is a replacement groundwater work, or(e) the location of the water supply work at a lesser distance would result in no more than a minimal impact on these groundwater sources and their groundwater dependent culturally significant sites.(3) For the purpose of subclause (2) (e), the Minister may request the applicant to undertake a hydrogeological study, submitted by the applicant and assessed as adequate by the Minister, to demonstrate that the location of the water supply work at a lesser distance would result in no more than minimal impact on these groundwater sources and their groundwater dependent culturally significant sites.Note—Culturally significant sites will be identified as a part of the assessment undertaken by the NSW Office of Water during the processing of an application for the granting or amending of a water supply work approval.
41 Rules for the use of water supply works located within restricted distances
(1) Subject to subclauses (2) and (3), a water supply work that is located within a restricted distance specified in clauses 37 to 40, must not, in any water year, be used to take more water than the volume of water that is equal to the sum of the share components of the access licences nominating that water supply work at the commencement of this Plan.(2) Subject to subclause (3), a water supply work that becomes located within a restricted distance specified in clauses 37 to 40 as a result of an amendment to this Plan, must not, in any water year, be used to take more water than the volume of water that is equal to the sum of share components of access licences nominating that water supply work at the date of the amendment.(3) Subclauses (1) and (2) do not apply where a restricted distance does not apply in accordance with clause 37 to 40.Note—The water quality from any bore can be affected by land use activities and inherent water quality in the aquifer. Water quality cannot be guaranteed and extracted water may be unsuitable for human consumption and other uses. The quality of water extracted should be tested before being used and appropriately treated. Such testing and treatment is the responsibility of the licence holder.
Part 10 Access licence dealing rules
42 General
The access licence dealing rules established in this Part apply to all access licence dealings in these groundwater sources.Notes—1Access licence dealings in these groundwater sources are subject to the provisions of the Act, the regulations, the access licence dealing principles and the access licence dealing rules established in this Part.2The access licence dealing principles prevail over the access licence dealing rules in this Plan to the extent of any inconsistency, as provided under section 71Z (3) of the Act.
43 Conversion of access licence to new category
(1) This clause relates to dealings under section 71O of the Act in these groundwater sources.(2) Dealings under sections 71O of the Act are prohibited.
44 Assignment of rights dealings (within groundwater sources)
(1) This clause relates to dealings under section 71Q of the Act in these groundwater sources.(2) Dealings under section 71Q of the Act are prohibited if the dealing involves an assignment of rights from an access licence with an extraction component that specifies the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone to an access licence with an extraction component that specifies the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, if it would cause the sum of the share components of all access licences with extraction components that specify the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone to exceed the sum of the share components of all access licences with extraction components that specified the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone at the date of commencement of this Plan.
45 Amendment of share component dealings (change of groundwater source)
(1) This clause relates to dealings under section 71R of the Act in these groundwater sources.(2) Dealings under section 71R of the Act are prohibited.
46 Amendment of extraction component dealings
(1) This clause relates to dealings under section 71S of the Act in these groundwater sources.(2) Dealings under section 71S of the Act are prohibited if the dealing involves an access licence with an extraction component that specifies the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone being varied to specify the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone, if it would cause the sum of the share components of all access licences with extraction components that specify the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone to exceed the sum of the share components of all access licences with extraction components that specified the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone at the date of commencement of this Plan.
47 Assignment of water allocations dealings
(1) This clause relates to dealings under section 71T of the Act in these groundwater sources.(2) Dealings within a groundwater source under section 71T of the Act are prohibited if the dealing involves an assignment of water allocation from an access licence with an extraction component that specifies the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone to an access licence with an extraction component that specifies the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, if it would cause the sum of water allocations credited to the water allocation accounts of all access licences with extraction components that specify the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone from available water determinations or dealings under section 71T of the Act in that water year, to exceed the sum of share components of all access licences with extraction components that specified the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone at the date of commencement of this Plan.(3) Dealings between groundwater sources under section 71T of the Act are prohibited.
48 Interstate transfer of access licences and assignment of water allocation
(1) This clause relates to dealings under section 71U or 71V of the Act in these groundwater sources.(2) Dealings involving the interstate transfer of an access licence to or from the following groundwater sources are prohibited:(a) Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source, and(b) Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source.(3) Dealings involving the interstate assignment of water allocations to or from the following groundwater sources are prohibited:(a) Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source, and(b) Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source.(4) Dealings involving the interstate transfer of an access licence to or from the following groundwater sources may only be permitted where administrative arrangements have been agreed to and implemented by the States:(a) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(b) Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.(5) Dealings involving the interstate assignment of water allocations to or from the following groundwater sources may only be permitted where administrative arrangements have been agreed to and implemented by the States:(a) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(b) Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.
49 Nomination of water supply works dealings
(1) This clause relates to dealings under section 71W of the Act in these groundwater sources.(2) Dealings under section 71W of the Act are prohibited if the dealing involves an access licence which nominates a water supply work located in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Other) Management Zone being amended to nominate a water supply work located in the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone, if it would cause the sum of the share components of all access licences with extraction components that specify the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone to exceed the sum of the share components of all access licences with extraction components that specified the Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB (Spring Ridge) Management Zone at the date of commencement of this Plan.(3) Dealings under section 71W of the Act that involve the interstate nomination of water supply works by access licences in the following groundwater sources are prohibited:(a) Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source, and(b) Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source.(4) Dealings under section 71W of the Act that involve the nomination of water supply works by interstate access licences in the following groundwater sources are prohibited:(a) Oaklands Basin Groundwater Source, and(b) Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source.(5) Dealings under section 71W of the Act that involve the interstate nomination of water supply works by access licences in the following groundwater sources may be permitted subject to administrative arrangements agreed to by the States:(a) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(b) Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.(6) Dealings under section 71W of the Act that involve the nomination of water supply works by interstate access licences in the following groundwater sources may only be permitted where administrative arrangements have been agreed to and implemented by the States:(a) Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source, and(b) Western Murray Porous Rock Groundwater Source.
Part 11 Mandatory conditions
Division 1 General
50 General
In this Part:(a) a requirement to notify the Minister in writing is satisfied by making a notification in writing to one of the addresses listed in Appendix 2 of this Plan or to the email address for the NSW Office of Water Licensing Enquiries Information Centre,Note—At the commencement of this Plan, the email address for the NSW Office of Water Licensing Enquiries Information Centre is information@water.nsw.gov.au.(b) a metered water supply work with a data logger means a water supply work with a meter and a data logger that complies with the Australian Technical Specification ATS 4747, Meters for non-urban water supply as may be updated or replaced from time to time, andNote—The definition of metered water supply work with a data logger does not include all water supply works that are metered or that have a data-logger. The water supply work must meet the parameters of this definition for the water supply work to be a metered water supply work with a data logger.(c) if the holder of a water supply work approval is the same as the holder of the access licence under which water is proposed to be taken, then it is not necessary to maintain two separate Logbooks and all the required information can be kept in one Logbook.
Division 2 Access licences
Note—
This Division is made in accordance with sections 17 (c), 20 and 66 of the Act.
51 General
(1) Access licences in these groundwater sources must have mandatory conditions where required to give effect to the following:(a) the relevant water allocation account management rules specified in Part 8 of this Plan for the respective category or subcategory of access licence,(b) water must not be taken under an access licence otherwise than in compliance with the conditions applying to the water supply work approval for the water supply work through which water is to be taken,(c) the holder of the access licence must notify the Minister, in writing, immediately upon becoming aware of a breach of any condition of the access licence, and(d) any other condition required to implement the provisions of this Plan.(2) Access licences in these groundwater sources, excluding access licences that nominate only metered water supply works with a data logger, must have mandatory conditions where required to give effect to the following:(a) the holder of the access licence must keep a Logbook,(b) the holder of the access licence, except for a salinity and water table management access licence, must record the following in the Logbook:(i) each date and period of time during which water was taken under the access licence,(ii) the volume of water taken on that date,(iii) the water supply work approval number of the water supply work used to take the water on that date,(iv) the purpose or purposes for which the water was taken on that date,(v) for all aquifer access licences, the volume of water taken in any water year, by comparison to the maximum volume of water permitted to be taken in that water years under clause 34 (1),(vi) for all domestic and stock access licences and local water utility access licences, the volume of water taken in any water year, by comparison to the maximum volume of water permitted to be taken in that water year under clause 34 (3), and(vii) any other information required to be recorded in the Logbook under the rules of this Plan,(c) the holder of a salinity and water table management access licence must record the following in the Logbook:(i) the dates and periods of time during which water was taken under the access licence for the previous monthly accounting period,(ii) the volume of water taken for the previous monthly accounting period,(iii) the water supply work approval number for the water supply work used to take water during the previous monthly accounting period,(iv) the volume of water taken in any water year, by comparison to the maximum volume of water permitted to be taken in that water year under clause 34 (3), and(v) any other information required to be recorded in the Logbook under the rules of this Plan.(d) the holder of the access licence must produce the Logbook to the Minister for inspection, when requested, and(e) the holder of the access licence must retain the information required to be recorded in the Logbook for five years from the date to which that information relates.(3) When directed by the Minister by notice in writing, the holder of an access licence that nominates only a metered water supply work with a data logger must keep a Logbook in accordance with any requirements from subclause (2) or subclause (3), whichever is relevant, that are specified in the notice.(4) All access licences of the subcategory “Aboriginal cultural” must have a mandatory condition that specifies that water must only be taken under the access licence by Aboriginal persons or Aboriginal communities for personal, domestic or communal purposes, including drinking, food preparation, washing, manufacturing traditional artefacts, watering domestic gardens, cultural teaching, hunting, fishing, gathering and for recreational, cultural and ceremonial purposes.(5) All salinity and water table management access licences must have a mandatory condition that specifies that water must only be taken under the access licence for the sole purpose of reducing or preventing an increase in salinity levels in a water source.(6) An access licence for a project under Part 4 for State Significant Development or Part 3A or State Significant Infrastructure under Part 5.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 must have mandatory conditions where required to give effect to the rules for the use of water supply works located within restricted distances specified in clause 41.cl 51: Am 2012 No 42, Sch 2.59 [5] [6].
Division 3 Water supply work approvals
Note—
This Division is made in accordance with sections 17 and 100 of the Act.
52 General
(1) Water supply work approvals for water supply works in these groundwater sources must have mandatory conditions where required to give effect to the following:(a) when directed by the Minister by notice in writing, the approval holder must have metering equipment installed that meets the following requirements:(i) the metering equipment must accurately measure and record the flow of all water taken through the water supply work,(ii) the metering equipment must comply with the ATS 4747 Australian Technical Specification ATS 4747, Meters for non-urban water supply as may be updated or replaced from time to time,(iii) the metering equipment must be operated and maintained in a proper and efficient manner at all times,(iv) the metering equipment must be sited and installed at a place in the pipe, channel or conduit between the groundwater source and the first discharge outlet. There must be no flow of water into or out of the pipe, channel or conduit between the groundwater source and the metering equipment, and(v) any other requirements as to type, standard or other criteria for the metering equipment specified in the notice,Note—The Minister may direct a landholder or person to install, replace or to properly maintain metering equipment under section 326 of the Act.(b) the approval holder must comply with the rules for limiting the taking of water within the distance restrictions as specified in clause 41,(c) the approval holder must ensure the construction of a new water supply work is constructed so as to be:(i) screened in the groundwater source nominated by the access licence, and(ii) sealed off from all other water sources,(d) the construction of a new water supply work must:(i) comply with the restricted distances specified in or specified by the Minister in accordance with clauses 37 to 40,(ii) comply with the construction standards for that type of bore prescribed in the Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia, 2003, ISBN 1 9209 2009 9, as may be updated or replaced from time to time, and(iii) be constructed appropriately so as to prevent contamination between aquifers,(e) the approval holder must ensure that if the water supply work is abandoned or replaced, it is decommissioned in compliance with the “minimum requirements for decommissioning bores” prescribed in the Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia, 2003, ISBN 1 9209 2009 9, as may be updated or replaced from time to time, unless otherwise directed by the Minister in writing,(f) within two months of the decommissioning of the water supply work, the approval holder must notify the Minister in writing that the water supply work has been decommissioned,(g) the approval holder must, within two months of completion of the construction of the water supply work, or within two months after the issue of the water supply work approval if the water supply work is existing, submit to the NSW Office of Water the approved form completed with all relevant details including:(i) the name and licence number of the driller who constructed the water supply work,(ii) the details of geology and construction as required by the approved form,(iii) details of the location of the water supply work on a copy of the lot and deposited plan of the land, its geographical reference accurate to ± 5 metres, and the respective distance(s) of the water supply work from the property boundaries, and(iv) if the Minister has requested any water analysis and/or pumping tests to be carried out, details of the water analysis and/or pumping tests required by the Minister,(h) if, during the construction of the water supply work, saline or contaminated water is encountered above the production aquifer, the approval holder must:(i) notify the Minister within 48 hours of becoming aware of the contaminated water,(ii) take all reasonable steps to minimise contamination and environmental harm,(iii) ensure that such water is sealed off by inserting casing to a depth sufficient to exclude the saline or contaminated water from the water supply work, and, if specified by the Minister, place an impermeable seal between the casing(s) and the walls of the water supply work from the bottom of the casing to ground level as specified by the Minister,(iv) if the Minister has specified any other requirements, comply with any requirements specified by the Minister in writing, and(v) the above requirements do not apply where the water supply work is being constructed for the purpose of taking saline water through a salinity or water table management access licence and the only contaminated water encountered is saline water,(i) when directed by the Minister by notice in writing, the approval holder must provide a report in the form specified in the notice detailing the quality of any water obtained using the water supply work,(j) the water supply work approval will lapse if the construction of the water supply work is not completed within three years of the issue of the water supply work approval, and(k) any other conditions required to implement the provisions of this Plan.(2) Water supply work approvals for water supply works, other than water supply works which are nominated by a salinity and water table management access licence, in these groundwater sources must have mandatory conditions where required to give effect to the following, provided that these requirements do not apply to a water supply work that is a metered water supply work with a data logger:(a) the holder of a water supply work approval must keep a Logbook,(b) the holder of a water supply work approval must record the following in the Logbook:(i) each date and period of time during which water was taken using the water supply work,(ii) the volume of water taken on that date,(iii) the access licence number of the access licence under which water was taken on that date, or, if water was taken under some other authority (such as basic landholder rights), the authority under which water was taken,(iv) the purpose or purposes for which the water was taken on that date,(v) details of any cropping carried out using the water taken through the water supply work including the type of crop, area cropped and dates of planting and harvesting,(vi) where metering equipment has been installed for use in connection with the water supply work, the meter reading before water is taken,(vii) where metering equipment has not been installed for use in connection with the water supply work, details of all pumping activities for the water supply work including pump running hours, pump power usage or pump fuel usage, pump start and stop times and pump capacity per unit of time, and(viii) any other information required to be recorded in the Logbook under the rules of this Plan,(c) the holder of the water supply work approval must produce the Logbook to the Minister for inspection, when requested, and(d) the holder of a water supply work approval must retain the information required to be recorded in the Logbook for five years from the date to which that information relates.(3) Water supply work approvals for water supply works which are nominated by a salinity and water table management access licence in these groundwater sources must have mandatory conditions where required to give effect to the following, provided that these requirements do not apply to a water supply work that is a metered water supply work with a data logger:(a) the holder of a water supply work approval must keep a Logbook,(b) the holder of a water supply work approval must record the following in the Logbook:(i) the dates and periods of time during which water taken under the access licence for the previous monthly accounting period,(ii) the volume of water taken for the previous monthly accounting period,(iii) the access licences number of the access licence under which water was taken on that date, or, if the water was taken under some other authority (such as basic landholder rights), the authority under which water was taken,(iv) where metering equipment has been installed for use in connection with the water supply work, the meter reading before water is taken,(v) where metering equipment has not been installed for use in connection with the water supply work, details of all pumping activities for the water supply work including pump running hours, pump power usage or pump fuel usage, pump start and stop times and pump capacity per unit of time, and(vi) any other information required to be recorded in the Logbook under the rules of this Plan,(c) the holder of the water supply work approval must provide the Logbook to the Minister for inspection, when requested, and(d) the holder of a water supply work approval must retain the information required to be recorded in the Logbook for five years from the date to which that information relates.(4) A water supply work approval for a replacement groundwater work shall have mandatory conditions to give effect to the requirements for a replacement groundwater work specified in or specified by the Minister in accordance with clause 36.(5) A water supply work approval granted in circumstances where clause 37 (2) (d) applies must have a mandatory condition to give effect to clause 37 (4).(6) A water supply work approval granted to authorise the construction of a water supply work to take water under a supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licence must have mandatory conditions to give effect to clause 37 (5).Note—Part 12 allows for amendments to be made to clause 52.cl 52: Am 2012 No 42, Sch 2.59 [7].
Part 12 Amendment of this Plan
53 General
(1) Amendments specified throughout this Plan and in this Part are amendments authorised by this Plan.(2) Amendments authorised by this Plan are taken to include any consequential amendments required to be made to this Plan to give effect to that particular amendment.Note—For example, if Part 1 is amended to add a new management zone, this may require amendment to other parts of this Plan to include rules for that management zone.(3) An amendment authorised by this Plan which results in a variation of the bulk access regime, is an amendment authorised by this Plan for the purposes of sections 87 (2) (c) and 87AA of the Act.
54 Part 1
Part 1 may be amended to do any of the following:(a) apply this Plan to new or additional groundwater sources or water management areas (including part thereof) or modify (including to amend the boundaries) or remove an existing groundwater source or water management area (including part thereof) included in this Plan,(b) add, remove or modify a management zone, including the groundwater sources to which a management zone applies and the boundaries of such a zone, and(c) amend the Plan Map.cl 54: Am 2013 (54), Sch 1 [2].sch 1: Am 2013 (54), Sch 1 [2] [11].Appendix 1: Subst 2013 (54), Sch 1 [12].
55 Part 4
Part 4 may be amended to vary the amount of recharge reserved as planned environmental water as a result of recharge studies undertaken or assessed as adequate by the Minister.
56 Part 6
Part 6 may be amended to:(a) modify the long-term average annual extraction limits as a result of recharge studies undertaken or assessed as adequate by the Minister,(b) modify the long-term average annual extraction limit for the Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source as specified in clause 25 (2) (c) based on new socio-economic information,(c) reduce the groundwater storage extraction limits if monitoring or hydrogeological studies demonstrate that it is necessary to ensure that no more than minimal harm will be done to any groundwater source as a consequence of water being taken under supplementary water (subcategory “storage”) access licences in the relevant groundwater source, or(d) establish available water determination rules for major utility access licences.
57 Part 8
Part 8 may be amended to:(a) establish individual access licence account management rules for major utility access licences, or(b) provide access rules for access licences in these groundwater sources.
58 Part 9
Part 9 may be amended to do any of the following:(a) amend the definition of a replacement groundwater work in clause 36,(b) add, remove or modify a restricted distance specified in:(i) clause 37 after year 5 of this Plan, or(ii) clause 39 based on the outcomes of further studies of groundwater ecosystem dependency that have been assessed as adequate by the Minister, or(c) amend clause 41 to impose further restrictions on the rate and timing of extraction of water to mitigate impacts.
59 Part 11
(1) Part 11 may be amended to do any of the following:(a) amend the rules in relation to record keeping including amendments in relation to requirements for Logbooks, or(b) amend clause 52 to specify different standards for decommissioning water supply works or construction requirements for water supply works.(2) If this Plan is amended to provide access rules for access licences in these groundwater sources pursuant to clause 57 (b), Part 11 may be amended to:(a) provide that an access licence for a project under Part 4 for State significant development or Part 3A or State significant infrastructure under Part 5.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 must have mandatory conditions where required to give effect to the relevant access rules for taking water specified in this Plan,(b) provide that the water supply work must not be used to take water under an access licence unless in compliance with the relevant access rules for access licences specified in this Plan, or(c) provide that the water supply work must not be used to take water unless, before water is taken, the holder of the water supply work approval confirms that the relevant access rules do not prohibit the taking of water. Where the holder is required to keep a Logbook, the holder must record that confirmation and the means of confirmation (such as visual inspection or internet search) in the Logbook.
60 Schedules
(1) Schedule 1 may be amended to add, modify and/or remove a definition.(2) Schedule 2 may be amended to add or remove a contamination source.(3) Schedule 3 may be amended to add or remove a:(a) high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem, or(b) high priority karst environment groundwater dependent ecosystem.
61 Other
(1) This Plan may be amended to provide rules for the following:(a) managed aquifer recharge, orNote—Managed aquifer recharge schemes involve taking water such as recycled water or urban stormwater, treating it and then storing it in underground aquifers under controlled conditions. This water can then be extracted at a later time.(b) the interception of water before it reaches a stream or aquifer by plantations or other means.(2) This Plan may be amended to allow for the granting of aquifer interference approvals and the management of aquifer interference activities.(3) This Plan may be amended following the granting of a native title claim pursuant to the provisions of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to give effect to an entitlement granted under that claim.(4) Consequential amendments may be made to this Plan as a result of an amendment to the Act or regulations.(5) This Plan may be amended to provide rules for the protection of water dependent Aboriginal cultural assets, including:(a) the identification of water dependent Aboriginal cultural assets in a Schedule to this Plan,(b) restrictions on the granting and amendment of water supply works to protect water dependent Aboriginal cultural assets, and/or(c) amendments to the dealing rules to protect water dependent Aboriginal cultural assets.(6) This Plan may be amended to allow for the granting of salinity and water table management access licences in these groundwater sources.
Dictionary
Aboriginal person has the same meaning as under section 4 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.
alluvial sediments means unconsolidated fluvio-lacustrine sediments.
buried means a groundwater system that is overlain or partly overlain by another groundwater system.
drawdown means a lowering of the level to which water will rise in cased bores. Natural drawdown may occur due to seasonal climatic changes. Groundwater pumping may also result in seasonal and long-term drawdown.
escarpment refers to steep to precipitous landform pattern forming a linearly extensive, straight or sinuous inclined surface, which separates terrains at different altitudes, that above the escarpment commonly being a plateau. Relief within the landform pattern may be high (hilly) or low (planar). The upper margin is often marked by an included cliff or scarp.
fractured rock means sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks with fractures, joints, bedding planes and cavities in the rock mass that are capable of transmitting water.
GAB means Great Artesian Basin.
geological formation means a fundamental lithostratigraphic unit used in the local classification of strata and classified by the distinctive physical and chemical features of the rocks that distinguish it from other formations.
groundwater dependent ecosystems includes ecosystems which have their species composition and natural ecological processes wholly or partially determined by groundwater.
high environmental value areas are national parks, nature reserves, historic sites, Aboriginal areas, state conservation areas and karst conservation areas.
karst means an area of land, including subterranean land, that has developed in soluble rock through the processes of solution, abrasion or collapse, together with its associated bedrock, soil, water, gases and biodiversity.
Logbook, in relation to an access licence or water supply work approval, means a written record, kept in hard copy or electronic form, which accurately records all information required to be kept in relation to the access licence or water supply work approval under the rules of this Plan.
management zone is an area within a groundwater source in which rules particular to that management zone will apply, for example, rules for granting water supply work approvals or restrictions on dealings.
MDB means Murray-Darling Basin.
outcropped means a groundwater system that occurs at the earths surface.
porous rock means consolidated sedimentary rock containing voids, pores or other openings (such as joints, cleats and/or fractures) which are interconnected in the rock mass and are capable of transmitting water.
Plan Map for these groundwater sources has the same meaning as in clause 4 (2) of this Plan.
recharge means the addition of water, usually by natural infiltration, to an aquifer.
replacement groundwater work has the same meaning as in clause 36 (2) of this Plan.
slotted intervals means that part of the water bore where slots in the casing occur which are designed to allow water to enter the bore.
Water Act 1912 entitlement has the same meaning as an entitlement has in clause 2 of Schedule 10 to the Act.
water year means a year commencing 1 July.
Schedule 2 Contamination sources in these groundwater sources
Contamination sources in these groundwater sources are the following:(a) on site sewage disposal systems or septic tanks,
(b) any sites which have been declared to be significantly contaminated land under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997,
(c) any sites that are or have been the subject of an activity listed in Table 1 of the contaminated land planning guidelines as published under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 from time to time, and
(d) any sites listed in an agency database relating to contamination sources.
Appendix 2: Am 2013 (54), Sch 1 [2].
Schedule 3 High priority groundwater dependent ecosystems
Note—
High priority groundwater dependent ecosystems (hereafter GDEs) are currently under investigation and some of these may be identified during the term of this Plan. The full list of potential GDEs will be identified on the NSW Office of Water GDE Register and as a precautionary approach, will be considered by staff in the assessment of any application for a water supply work approval within the area of this Plan. If verified as high priority GDEs, the Schedule will be amended to include further GDEs.
1 High priority groundwater dependent ecosystems
High priority groundwater dependent ecosystems in these groundwater sources are as specified in Table A below.Note—The approximate location of high priority GDEs listed in Column 1 of Table A is provided as Easting and Northing coordinates in Columns 3 and 4 of Table A. The approximate location of high priority GDEs listed in Column 1 of Table A are shown on the maps in Appendix 3.Table A—High priority groundwater dependent ecosystems
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 High priority groundwater dependent ecosystem GDE Type Easting (MGA 94) Northing (MGA 94) Zone Groundwater Source Back Spring Spring 768069.30 6528361.93 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Barra Spring Spring 764803.40 6524746.28 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Boballa Springs Spring 760046.67 6524865.67 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Bonan Spring Spring 730247.20 6540354.95 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Carlisle Springs Spring 741657.84 6484627.08 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Kellys Springs Spring 759670.37 6447199.42 55 Sydney Basin MDB Groundwater Source Lickhole Spring Spring 729515.48 6507091.72 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Mitchells Springs Spring 757011.68 6530488.47 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Naran Springs Spring 703625.99 6439231.66 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Tambar Spring Spring 769655.48 6528321.19 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Terda Spring Spring 221186.59 6522532.43 56 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Tigheys Spring Spring 752740.76 6550932.96 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Treloar Springs Spring 221186.59 6522532.43 56 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source Wetalaba Springs Spring 775658.62 6515217.79 55 Gunnedah–Oxley Basin MDB Groundwater Source
2 High priority karst environment groundwater dependent ecosystems
High priority karst environment groundwater dependent ecosystems in these groundwater sources are as specified in Table B below.Note—The approximate location of high priority karst environment GDEs listed in Column 1 of Table B are shown on the maps in Appendix 3.Table B—High priority karst environment groundwater dependent ecosystems
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 High priority karst environment groundwater dependent ecosystem GDE type Groundwater source Approximate location Ilford Karst Sydney Basin MDB 21 km south-west of Rylstone
Appendix 3: Am 2013 (54), Sch 1 [13].
Appendix 1 Overview of the Plan Map
Appendix 2 Inspection of Plan Map
Copies of the Plan Map may be inspected at the following offices:NSW Office of Water
10 Valentine Ave
PARRAMATTA NSW 2150
NSW Office of Water
155–157 Marius
TAMWORTH NSW 2340
NSW Office of Water
11 Farrer Place
QUEANBEYAN NSW 2620
Appendix 3 Groundwater dependent ecosystems in the NSW Murray Darling Basin Porous Rock Groundwater Sources
Note—
The maps in this Appendix show the approximate location of the high priority GDEs listed in Column 1 of Table A in Schedule 3 and the high priority karst environment GDEs listed in Column 1 of Table B in Schedule 3.