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 the 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 percent of average annual recharge for a groundwater source where there is no significant ecosystem dependency; 70 percent of average annual recharge where there is significant ecosystem dependency | PARTIAL | • This Plan establishes an extraction limit of 100% of recharge.• No detailed assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems has been undertaken.• An expert panel identified wetlands and floodplain vegetation along the Lachlan river and prior streams as likely to be groundwater dependent. The groundwater source also discharges to the Lachlan river.• This Plan provides for the extraction limit to be reviewed by June 30 2010. |
| 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. |
| 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 | PARTIAL | • Detailed assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems was not undertaken, nevertheless an expert panel identified wetlands and floodplain vegetation along the Lachlan river and prior streams as likely to be groundwater dependent ecosystems. The groundwater source also discharges to the Lachlan River.• This Plan excludes licensed extraction from within 200 metres of wetlands and 40 metres of any creek or river.• This Plan prohibits new or replacement extraction bores within 200 metres of any high priority dependent groundwater ecosystems and 100 metres for basic landholder rights bores.• This Plan establishes extraction rules/ specified drawdown limits to manage groundwater level declines, groundwater quality impacts, and to protect aquifer integrity.• This Plan provides for review (including more detailed investigation of groundwater dependency) and variation in planned environmental water and extraction limit after 30 June 2010. |
| Target 5 Access rights for water access licensees clearly and legally specified in terms of share and extraction components | PARTIAL | • This Plan establishes transparent extraction limits and allocation/account rules.• This Plan embargos new licence applications.• The necessary reduction in licence volumes will not be completed until 30 June 2016 and will therefore leave the water rights and market uncertain in the meantime.• The local extraction rules means that future rights will not be exclusive but affected by the future location of works. Access 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 percent of the Sustainable Yield | FULL | • The total access licence volume for this groundwater source is greater than 125% of the extraction limit.• This Plan provides for a reduction in access licence share components to 100% at the start of the Plan.• This Plan provides for supplementary water access licences with share components of an additional 38% of the extraction limit to be reduced to zero prior to the end of the Plan. |
| 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 | PARTIAL | • While detailed assessment of connectivity was not undertaken, an expert panel concluded that this groundwater source would lose or gain from the river depending on season.• The relatively high extraction limit may result in significant impacts on discharges to the river and creeks.• This Plan excludes licensed extraction from within 40 metres of any creek or river. |
| 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 | PARTIAL | • Detailed assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems was not undertaken, nevertheless an expert panel identified wetlands and floodplain vegetation along the Lachlan River and prior streams as likely to be groundwater dependent, particularly those in the shallow saturated zone between Hillston and Lake Brewster.• This Plan excludes licensed extraction from within 200 metres of wetlands and prohibits new or replacement bores which are 200 metres (100 metres for basic landholder rights bores) from any high priority dependent groundwater ecosystems.• This Plan provides for review (including more detailed assessment of groundwater dependency) and variation in planned environmental water and extraction limit after 30 June 2010. |
| 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.• It also protects domestic and stock bores from interference from higher yielding bores. |
| 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 | PARTIAL | • One aboriginal community representative has been involved in development of this Plan.• A Department Officer consulted with local Aboriginal Communities. |
| 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 | PARTIAL | • No Aboriginal cultural or traditional sites or requirements have been identified.• This Plan has a specific objective to protect heritage sites and cultural values.• This Plan excludes licensed extraction from within 200 metres of wetlands and prohibits new or replacement bores which are 200 metres (100 metres for basic landholder rights bores) from any high priority dependent groundwater ecosystems.• This Plan prohibits extraction from new or replacement bores which are 200 metres (100 metres for basic landholder rights bores) from any designated Aboriginal heritage sites.• This Plan provides for an assessment of the environmental and Aboriginal heritage requirements by 2010.• This Plan provides for assessment of new licence applications by Aboriginal interests. |
| Target 16a All share components of access licences tradeable | PARTIAL | • Aquifer access licence share components and water allocations are tradeable. |
| Target 16f Zones established where necessary for environmental protection and limits/constraints on water dealings in them made explicit | FULL | • This Plan allows trading, but restricts it in areas where there may be impacts on the environment or other users. |
| 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 | FULL | • This Plan does include a general water quality objective and the beneficial use categories and references the ANZECC guidelines.• This Plan does establish specific rules to protect water quality. |
| Target 38 Aquifer water quality vulnerability zones mapped and extraction limits reviewed to reduce the risk of lateral intrusion of poor quality water | PARTIAL | • No vulnerability mapping of area is referenced in this Plan.• Rules are established in this Plan to limit the movement of poor quality water. |