New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE COOPERS CREEK WATER SOURCE 2003 - REG 17

17 Flow classes

(1) This Plan establishes the following flow classes as the basis for sharing of daily flows in the Upper Coopers Creek Management Zone:

(a) the Very Low Flow Class is:

(i) in the first five years of this Plan, when flows are at or less than 14 megalitres per day (hereafter "ML/day") during the period 1 October to 30 June,

Note: 14 ML/day corresponds to the estimated 97 th percentile of flows in the critical month of December, and is referred to as the cease to pump on a falling river and the commence to pump on a rising river.

(ii) in the first five years of this Plan, when flows are at or less than 20 ML/day during the period 1 July to 30 September,

Note: 20 ML/day corresponds to the estimated 93 rd percentile of flows in the critical month of December, and is referred to as the cease to pump on a falling river and the commence to pump on a rising river.

(iii) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are at or less than 17 ML/day during the period 1 October to 30 June, and

Note: 17 ML/day corresponds to the estimated 95 th percentile of flows in the critical month of December, and is referred to as the cease to pump on a falling river and the commence to pump on a rising river.

(iv) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are at or less than 31 ML/day during the period 1 July to 30 September,

Note: 31 ML/day corresponds to the estimated 95 th percentile of all days of flow, and is referred to as the cease to pump on a falling river and the commence to pump on a rising river.

(b) A Class is:

(i) in the first five years of this Plan, when flows are greater than 14 ML/day and at or less than 36 ML/day during the period 1 October to 30 June,

(ii) in the first five years of this Plan, when flows are greater than 20 ML/day and at or less than 36 ML/day during the period 1 July to 30 September,

(iii) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are greater than 17 ML/day and at or less than 36 ML/day during the period 1 October to 30 June, and

(iv) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are greater than 31 ML/day and at or less than 36 ML/day during the period 1 July to 30 September,

(c) B Class is when flows are greater than 36 ML/day and at or less than 115 ML/day, and

(d) C Class is when flows are greater than 115 ML/day.

Note: The flow classes have been determined based on flow information that inherently includes seasonal effects as well as evaporation and seepage losses.

(2) This Plan establishes the following flow classes as the basis for sharing of daily flows in the Lower Coopers Creek Management Zone:

(a) the Very Low Flow Class is:

(i) in the first five years of this Plan, when flows are at or less than 14 ML/day,

(ii) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are at or less than 17 ML/day during the period 1 October to 30 June, and

(iii) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are at or less than 31 ML/day during the period 1 July to 30 September,

(b) A Class is:

(i) in the first five years of this Plan, when flows are greater than 14 ML/day and at or less than 36 ML/day,

(ii) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are greater than 17 ML/day and at or less than 36 ML/day during the period 1 October to 30 June, and

(iii) after the first five years of this Plan, when flows are greater than 31 ML/day and at or less than 36 ML/day during the period 1 July to 30 September,

(c) B Class is when flows are greater than 36 ML/day and at or less than 115 ML/day, and

(d) C Class is when flows are greater than 115 ML/day.

(3) Notwithstanding subclauses (1) (b), (1) (c), (1) (d), (2) (b), (2) (c) and (2) (d), A Class, B Class and C Class will only be applied if, in the opinion of the Minister, the flow classes are required to better manage the sharing of water between water users and the environment in one or both management zones and the Minister has made a determination of flow class under clause 19.

(4) The Minister may, under section 45 (1) (b) of the Act, amend subclauses (1) (a) (iv), (1) (b) (iv), (2) (a) (iii) and (2) (b) (iii) in accordance with clause 77 of this Plan.