New South Wales Consolidated Regulations New South Wales Consolidated RegulationsLevels of assessed contribution:
FULL-contributes to target in full
HIGH-while not fully contributing to target, there is a good level of contribution
PARTIAL-goes some way to contributing to the target
LOW-only small degree of contribution to target
| Relevant Target | Level of contribution | Comments |
| Target 1e The long term average annual extractions for groundwater limited (or being phased down) to an ecologically sustainable level (the Sustainable Yield) as determined by detailed assessment of each groundwater source and consultation with the relevant management committee. In the absence of such an assessment, the following to apply: 100% of average annual recharge for a groundwater source where there is no significant ecosystem dependency; 70% of average annual recharge where there is significant ecosystem dependency | FULL | • This Plan clearly sets out the sustainable yield (SY), or extraction limit, as 20% of estimated average annual recharge.• This Plan provides for a review of extraction limit in year 5 and allows for the extraction limit to be increased up to 25% of this Plan’s average annual recharge figure. |
| Target 1f Rules for adjustments to future available water determinations in the event that the extraction limits are exceeded, clearly prescribed in consultation with the relevant management committee, and acted upon | FULL | • Rules set out in Part 9 of this Plan. |
| Target 2 All management plans incorporating mechanisms to protect and restore aquatic habitats, and the diversity and abundance of native animals and plants, with particular reference to threatened species, populations and communities and key threatening processes | HIGH | • This Plan clearly sets out the planned environmental water as 80% of estimated average annual recharge in each groundwater source.• This Plan sets out extraction rules/buffer zones to limit local environmental impacts of extraction.• This Plan identifies high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems, and establishes rules to protect them.• This Plan established a shallow aquifer extraction exclusion zone for new extraction adjacent to a river. |
| Target 5 Access rights for water access licensees clearly and legally specified in terms of share and extraction components | HIGH | • This Plan clarifies access licence share components, and limits interference between groundwater licences.• This plan enables trading of licence rights.• The nature of the local extraction rules however means that access rights will not be exclusive but affected by the future location of other water supply works (bores). Licences with existing bores will have priority over licences requiring new bores. |
| Target 6a For groundwater sources, the total volume of water specified on access licences reduced over the term of a water sharing plan to no more than 125% of the Sustainable Yield | FULL | • The total access licence share components for the combined groundwater sources is less than 125% of SY (or the extraction limit). |
| Target 10 Degree of connectivity between aquifers and rivers assessed, and zones of high connectivity mapped to enable baseflows to the river to be maintained or improved | HIGH | • Baseflows to surface rivers are protected by low extraction limits and extraction exclusion zones for new extraction. |
| Target 11 Groundwater dependent ecosystems identified and mapped for all priority aquifers, and the ecological water requirements assessed to enable local groundwater extraction rates and/or Sustainable Yields to be reviewed | HIGH | • Types of dependent ecosystem have been identified and mapped, but ecological water requirements are not known.• This Plan sets out extraction rules/buffer zones to limit local environmental impacts of extraction on ecosystems.• This Plan identifies high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems with rules to protect them. |
| Target 12 Measures in place in all water sources subject to a gazetted water sharing plan to protect domestic and stock rights from the impact of other water access and use | FULL | • This Plan has identified the volumes necessary to meet basic domestic and stock requirements.• Local management rules protect basic right extractions. |
| Target 13 The knowledge sharing, training and resources necessary to ensure that Aboriginal people have the capacity to be effectively involved in water management identified and addressed | HIGH | • 2 Aboriginal community representatives have been involved in development of this Plan.• Meetings were held with the Bundjalung Elders, Ngulingah and Far North Coast Aboriginal Land Councils.• An Aboriginal Steering Group was established and has prepared a plan to assist in consultation with local Aboriginal people including a workshop, community meeting, protocols process and assistance in submission writing. |
| Target 14 Water sources, ecosystems and sites of cultural or traditional importance to Aboriginal people identified, plans of management prepared, and measures put in place to protect and improve them | HIGH | • This Plan has recognised specific Aboriginal cultural or traditional requirements but has not listed them for reasons of cultural sensitivity and has a specific Aboriginal objective.• This Plan does provide extraction limits and buffers to protect these dependent ecosystems which should assist in protecting Aboriginal values.• This Plan does provide local management rules which should also assist in protecting Aboriginal values. |
| Target 16a All share components of access licences tradeable | FULL | • This Plan provides for trading of access licence share components. |
| Target 16c Conversion factors and protocols established to facilitate trading and dealings between water sources, whilst also protecting existing access and environmental water | FULL | • This Plan does not allow trading out of these groundwater sources.• This Plan does allow trading between groundwater sources within the area to which this Plan applies, with rules in place to minimise the impacts of such transfers on existing users and the environment. |
| Target 16d Reduced conversion factors only applied when necessary to offset increased losses associated with water supply delivery | FULL | • This Plan does not impose any reduction factors. |
| Target 16e Any unassigned access rights identified and clear mechanisms established for their future assignment | FULL | • This Plan recommends placing an embargo on new access licences within the area, with some exceptions.• The rules for granting of new licences are established in this Plan. |
| Target 16f Zones established where necessary for environmental protection and limits/constraints on water dealings in them made explicit | FULL | • This Plan establishes 6 separate groundwater sources, and the constraints to trading between these is based on access licence share component levels versus extraction limits for each source. |
| Target 35 All management plans incorporating water quality objectives that have considered Government approved Interim Environmental Objectives, the current Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council Guidelines and the recommendations of relevant Healthy Rivers Commission Inquiries | HIGH | • This Plan includes a general water quality objective.• This Plan recognises the beneficial uses as raw water for drinking purposes, and ecosystem protection.• Local management rules specifically address risks of groundwater contamination. |
| Target 38 Aquifer water quality vulnerability zones mapped and extraction limits reviewed to reduce the risk of lateral intrusion of poor quality water | PARTIAL | • Vulnerability mapping has not been referenced in this Plan.• This Plan sets out rules for managing lateral movement of poor quality groundwater. |