New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE LOWER MURRUMBIDGEE GROUNDWATER SOURCES 2003 - REG 39

39 Protection of aquifer integrity

(1) The Minister may declare that, in order to protect the integrity of the aquifers within these groundwater sources, local access restrictions are to apply in a defined area known as a local impact area.

(2) The Minister may, on presentation of evidence of land subsidence or aquifer compaction, restrict extraction from all water supply works (bores) within a local impact area declared under subclause (1), that are nominated by an access licence, to such an extent and for such time as to stabilise that subsidence or compaction.

Note: This clause recognises that damage of aquifers through excessive water storage loss is irreversible, and destroys the resource for future water users, including the environment.