WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE NSW BORDER RIVERS REGULATED RIVER WATER SOURCE 2009 - REG 12 Planned environmental water

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE NSW BORDER RIVERS REGULATED RIVER WATER SOURCE 2009 - REG 12

12 Planned environmental water

This Plan establishes the following planned environmental water rules for this water source:

(a) water in excess of the long-term extraction limit established in clause 28 of this Plan may not be taken from this water source or used for any purpose,

Note : The definition of the long-term extraction limit established in clause 28 also applies to Queensland under the terms of the IGA.

(b) water availability is to be managed as specified in clause 30 of this Plan to ensure water volume in excess of the long-term extraction limit is not being taken,

Note : By limiting long-term average annual extractions to an estimated 194,500 megalitres per year this Plan attempts to ensure that approximately 60% of the long-term average annual flow in this water source at Mungindi (estimated to be 565,560 megalitres per year) will be preserved and will contribute to the maintenance of basic ecosystem health.

Note : The definition of the long-term average annual flow to this water source also applies to Queensland under the terms of the IGA.

(c) a minimum daily release will be made from Pindari Dam that is equal to 10 megalitres (hereafter
"ML" ) except when a release of greater than 10 ML/d is required to meet basic landholder rights and access licence extractions,

Note : The continuous low flow aims to provide connectivity for downstream pools and riffles and curtail problems associated with extended flow recession.

(d) in the months of September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April and May inflows into Pindari Dam will be released from Pindari Dam, up to a limit of 50 megalitres per day (hereafter
"ML/d" ), except when a release of greater than 50 ML/d is required to meet basic landholder rights and access licence extractions,

(e) in the months of June, July and August inflows into Pindari Dam will be released from Pindari Dam, up to a limit of 200 ML/d, except when a release of greater than 200 ML/d is required to meet basic landholder rights and access licence extractions,

(f) at the start of each water year, 4000 ML shall be set aside in Pindari Dam for the purpose a releasing a flow called a stimulus flow from the Pindari Dam,

(g) a stimulus flow shall be released from Pindari Dam if an inflow into Pindari Dam of greater than 1200 ML/d has occurred on any day between the 1 April and 31 August,

(h) the stimulus flow released under subclause (g) shall be made between 1 August and 1 December,

(i) the timing, rate, volume and duration of the stimulus flow released between 1 August and 1 December shall be determined by the Department and the Department responsible for the Environment, after taking into consideration factors such as:

(i) antecedent conditions,

(ii) irrigation demand,

(iii) flows in this water source, and

(iv) the ability to monitor environmental outcomes,

Note : The aim of the stimulus flow is to provide a flow in the river that mirrors a naturally occurring hydrograph, targets pre-season cues to fish breeding and to regularly wet and inundate interconnected riparian areas.

(j) 7 days notice of the intent to release the stimulus flow under subclauses (g) and (h), shall be provided to State Water,

(k) the water set aside for a stimulus flow under subclause (f), but not released pursuant to subclauses (g) and (h), may be carried over to the next water year, provided that the total amount of water available at the start of the water year to be released as a stimulus flow does not exceed 8000 ML,

(l) releases from Pindari Dam as described in subclauses (d), (e), (g) and (h) are to be protected from extraction downstream of Pindari Dam to the confluence of the Severn River and Frazers Creek,

(m) during the period from 1 September of each year to 31 March of each following year, the holder of an access licence is not permitted to take uncontrolled stream flow from this water source, which, after taking into account stream losses, would result in a flow in the Barwon River at Mungindi of 100 ML/day or less.

Note : This rule is outlined in the IGA which has the objective of improving low flows at the end of the Border Rivers system to support a healthy riverine environment.