New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE LACHLAN REGULATED RIVER WATER SOURCE 2003 - REG 10

10 Objectives

The objectives of this Plan are to:

(a) maintain or restore the key environmental features of the Lachlan River system by a river flow regime that, as much as possible, mimics natural conditions in order to make provision for the following outcomes:

(i) a diversity of natural in-stream and riparian habitat and biota,

(ii) the restoration, by naturally triggered flooding, of the riverine floodplain to its previous rich mosaic of ecosystems,

(iii) the improved health and function of wetlands as frequency and duration of inundation is restored,

(iv) an abundance and diversity of native aquatic species,

(v) an abundance and diversity of native water birds,

(vi) the restoration of water quality that supports aquatic ecosystems, and

(vii) the recovery of threatened species, communities and populations,

(b) make provisions for access for extraction by towns, riparian landholders, irrigation and other industry for the benefit of rural communities in the Lachlan River system by providing for the following outcomes:

(i) a supply of water to provide for the needs of rural communities,

(ii) the specification and provision of basic landholder rights,

(iii) a water allocation system, which clarifies resource access, and enables flexibility and efficiency within climatic variability, and

(iv) the maintenance and enhancement of recreational opportunities based on water features,

(c) provide water to ensure that the social needs and amenity values of the Lachlan Valley community, that are reliant upon water, continue to be met by providing for the following outcomes:

(i) supplies of water that deliver a range of recreational and amenity opportunities,

(ii) that aesthetic values are maintained, and

(iii) water management that recognises social impacts,

(d) water management that recognises, respects and incorporates the spiritual, economic and aesthetic values of the water source to provide for the following outcomes:

(i) the recognition and protection of the traditional rights of Aboriginal people,

(ii) protection of sacred sites,

(iii) the maintenance of traditional rights of access to birds, fish, crustacea and other traditional foods, and

(iv) the protection of the cultural, spiritual and identity aspects of rivers and wetlands.

Note: Although there are no specific strategies directly related to this objective in this Plan, the environmental water provisions in the Plan contribute to providing the specified outcomes.