New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE LOWER LACHLAN GROUNDWATER SOURCE 2003 - REG 36

36 Extraction interference between neighbouring bores

(1) To minimise interference between extraction under different access licences in this groundwater source, extraction from a water supply work (bore) nominated by an access licence will not be permitted within:

(a) 1,000 metres of another water supply work (bore) nominated by an access licence authorised to extract up to, and including, 10 ML/day,

(b) 2,000 metres of another water supply work nominated by an access licence authorised to extract greater than 10 ML/day, and up to and including 15 ML/day, and

(c) 3,000 metres of another water supply work nominated by an access licence authorised to extract greater than 15 ML/day.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subclause (1), the Minister may, upon application by an access licence holder, vary the distance restrictions specified in subclause (1) if:

(a) an hydrogeological study undertaken by the licence holder, and assessed as adequate by the Minister, demonstrates minimal potential for any adverse impact on existing licensed extraction,

(b) all potentially affected access licence holders have been notified by the proponent, and

Note: Potentially affected access licence holders are typically neighbouring access licence holders and/or those in the near vicinity.

(c) there is a process for remediation in the event that any adverse impact occurs in the future, specified as conditions on the licence.

(3) Subclause (1) does not apply to extraction under existing access licences.

Note: The intention of this clause is to minimise the impact of extraction under new access licences on extraction under existing access licences. It is intended to develop models to support hydrogeological assessment of the adverse impacts of new groundwater extractions on existing licensed extraction.