New South Wales Consolidated Regulations New South Wales Consolidated RegulationsThe objectives of this Plan are to:
(a) protect ecosystems that depend on groundwater in this groundwater source by establishing an extraction limit, and limiting extraction from groundwater,
(b) protect and enhance water quality in line with the Healthy Rivers Commission’s recommendations for the Clarence Catchment through the management of surface flows and groundwater extractions on the Dorrigo Plateau,Note: This objective refers to maintaining water quality. Although there are no specific strategies directly related to this objective in this Plan, the environmental water provisions in this Plan make a positive contribution to maintaining water quality.
(c) protect the natural and cultural values of the National Parks and Reserves, including the gazetted World Heritage areas, by managing flows,
(d) protect and enhance surface water dependent ecosystems by managing access to flows in this surface water source,
(e) enable a secure supply of water for the Dorrigo local water utility, domestic and stock users, including the North Dorrigo and Dundurrabin communities, and downstream users, whilst minimising the impact of extraction on low flows,
(f) allow irrigators access to available flows on the Dorrigo Plateau, particularly in the area of Bielsdown and Little Plains Rivers, whilst encouraging innovative and water-use efficient agriculture,
(g) enhance the overall health of the Clarence River and estuary by enabling flow contributions from the Dorrigo Plateau, and
(h) protect flows on the Dorrigo Plateau to prevent the misuse of cultural knowledge of the Gumbaingirr tribal areas.
Note: Cultural knowledge includes spiritual, social, cultural and practical (for example recreational, food, medicinal and educational) values.