New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE MURRUMBIDGEE REGULATED RIVER WATER SOURCE 2003 - REG 14

14 Planned environmental water

(1) This Plan establishes the following planned environmental water rules:

(a) water volume in excess of the long-term extraction limit established in clause 32 of this Plan may not be taken from this water source and used for any purpose, and

(b) access to water is to be managed as specified in clause 34 of this Plan to ensure water volume in excess of the long-term extraction limit is not being taken.

Note: At the time of gazettal, it is estimated that long-term extractions at the commencement of this Plan will be limited to around 1,925,000 megalitres per year. By doing this, this Plan will ensure that approximately 56% of the long-term average annual flow in this water source (estimated to be 4,360,000 megalitres per year) will be preserved and contribute to the maintenance of basic ecosystem health.

Note: At the time of gazettal, it is estimated that long term extractions after the 5 th year of this Plan will be limited to around 1,890,000 megalitres per year. By doing this, this Plan will ensure that approximately 57% of the long-term average annual flow in this water source (estimated to be 4,360,000 megalitres per year) will be preserved and contribute to the maintenance of basic ecosystem health.

(2) Until 1 July 2008 a minimum daily flow of 200 megalitres per day shall be maintained in the Murrumbidgee River at Balranald, when the sum of available water determinations to regulated river (general security) access licences plus water allocations carried over in water allocation accounts, is less than 80% of share components, which cannot be used to meet access licence water requirements or basic landholder rights requirements below Balranald.

(3) Until 1 July 2008 a minimum daily flow of 300 megalitres per day shall be maintained in the Murrumbidgee River at Balranald, when the sum of available water determinations to regulated river (general security) access licences plus water allocations carried over in water allocation accounts, is equal to or greater than 80% of share components, which cannot be used to meet access licence water requirements or basic landholder rights requirements below Balranald.

(4) From 1 July 2008 a minimum daily flow shall be maintained in the Murrumbidgee River at Balranald, throughout the water year, which cannot be used to meet access licence water requirements or basic landholder rights requirements below Balranald and is calculated using the following formula:

"95th percentile natural daily flow"