New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE LOWER MACQUARIE GROUNDWATER SOURCES 2003 - REG 16

16 Recharge

(1) The overall basis for water sharing in this Plan is the average annual recharge to each groundwater source as follows:

(a) 25,500 megalitres per year (here after ML/yr) plus the requirements for basic landholder rights at the commencement of this Plan in Zone 1,

(b) 26,600 ML/yr plus the requirements for basic landholder rights at the commencement of this Plan in Zone 2,

(c) 11,000 ML/yr plus the requirements for basic landholder rights at the commencement of this Plan in Zone 3,

(d) 6,000 ML/yr plus the requirements for basic landholder rights at the commencement of this Plan in Zone 4,

(e) undefined in Zone 5, and

(f) 9,600 ML/yr plus the requirements for basic landholder rights at the commencement of this Plan in Zone 6.

(2) A review of recharge for each groundwater source should be undertaken by the Minister by 30 June 2008 of this Plan, that should:

(a) recommend an average annual recharge for Zone 5, and

(b) recommend any changes to the average annual recharge for Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

(3) The Minister may under section 45 (1) (b) of the Act amend subclause (1) after 30 June 2010 to vary the average annual recharge values for each of these groundwater sources, following the review undertaken in subclause (2) and this variation should:

(a) establish the average annual recharge in Zone 5, and

(b) revise the estimated average annual recharge for each of Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

(4) The Minister should undertake a second review of the average annual recharge for each groundwater source by the 30 June 2014.

(5) The Minister may under section 45 (1) (b) of the Act amend subclause (1) after 30 June 2015 to vary the average annual recharge values for each of these groundwater sources, following the second review undertaken in subclause (4).