New South Wales Consolidated Regulations New South Wales Consolidated RegulationsLevels of assessed contribution:
FULL-contributes to target in full
HIGH-while not fully contributing to target, there is a good level of contribution
PARTIAL-goes some way to contributing to the target
LOW-only small degree of contribution to target
| Relevant Target | Level of contribution | Comments |
| Target 1b Extractions in Murray-Darling Basin’s unregulated rivers limited to the MDBMC Cap level | FULL | • Part 9 of this Plan sets out the basis for the extraction limit for Gwydir Unregulated Extraction Management Unit. |
| Target 1f Rules for adjustments to future available water determinations in the event that the extraction limits are exceeded, clearly prescribed in consultation with the relevant management committee, and acted upon | FULL | • Rules set out in Part 9 of this Plan. |
| Target 2 All management plans incorporating mechanisms to protect and restore aquatic habitats, and the diversity and abundance of native animals and plants, with particular reference to threatened species, populations and communities and key threatening processes | HIGH | • Protects very low flows below the 95 th percentile in each zone-has been assessed in the field as adequate to meet environmental needs.• This Plan has put in place daily extraction limits to protect 70% of flows in B and C classes and improves low flows (A class).• At least 3 listed threatened fish species are likely to occur in Horton and tributaries (silver perch, purple spotted gudgeon, olive perchlet). No recovery plans are in place, therefore there are no specific provisions in this Plan. The flow protection should maintain/improve conditions for these species. |
| Target 4a Wherever the frequency of “end of system” daily flows would be less than 60% of the predevelopment level without environmental water rules or extraction limits, the flows increased to 60% of predevelopment levels or increased by at least 10% of the predevelopment frequency | FULL | • A class-40% of flow protected but this is more than 10% improvement on current.• B class-70% of the flow is protected.• C class-70% of the flow is protected. |
| Target 4b Frequency of “end of system” daily very low flows (as defined by local field investigation) protected or restored to predevelopment levels to maintain or restore their critical ecological functions, drought refuges and habitat connectivity. In the absence of such local assessments, protection extended up to at least the predevelopment 95th percentile | FULL | • Cease to pump (CTP) at 4 ML/day at end of this water source, which is the 95 th percentile of all days with flow, are protected from licensed extraction.• CTPs of 2 ML/day are specified for each of 3 upstream zones, being higher than 95 th percentile flow in these systems, and consistent with achievement of the 4 ML/day end of system flow.• The environmental appropriateness of this level was verified by field inspection. |
| Target 5 Access rights for water access licensees clearly and legally specified in terms of share and extraction components | FULL | • This Plan recognises the annual volumetric entitlements and establishes TDELs for distribution to individual licensees• It also enables trading of access licences or IDELs |
| Target 7 Mechanisms in place to enable Aboriginal communities to gain an increased share of the benefits of the water economy | HIGH | • The Government has established alternative mechanisms to address this target.• This Plan also provides reasonable market opportunities.• This Plan does not establish unallocated water, but does allow applications for Aboriginal cultural purposes. |
| Target 8 Daily extraction components specified and tradeable, subject to metering, reporting and compliance, for at least 50 percent of unregulated river access licences and for 80 percent of stressed unregulated rivers | FULL | • This Plan establishes total daily extraction limits across the water source. |
| Target 12 Measures in place in all water sources subject to a gazetted water sharing plan to protect domestic and stock rights from the impact of other water access and use | FULL | • Domestic and stock basic rights are estimated at 5.1 ML/day.• The upstream zone CTPs (at 2 ML/day) should ensure that the basic right requirements are met during very low flow periods. |
| Target 13 The knowledge sharing, training and resources necessary to ensure that Aboriginal people have the capacity to be effectively involved in water management identified and addressed | PARTIAL | • 1 Aboriginal community representative was involved in development of this Plan. |
| Target 14 Water sources, ecosystems and sites of cultural or traditional importance to Aboriginal people identified, plans of management prepared, and measures put in place to protect and improve them | PARTIAL | • The general importance of this water source to the Aboriginal people has been recognised however no specific cultural or traditional sites or requirements have been identified.• This Plan does provide a reasonable level of environmental protection/improvement which should assist in protecting Aboriginal values. |
| Target 16a All share components of access licences tradeable | FULL | • Part 11 of this Plan provides for trading of annual and daily entitlements. |
| Target 16c Conversion factors and protocols established to facilitate trading and dealings between water sources, whilst also protecting existing access and environmental water | FULL | • Part 11 of this Plan enables the Minister to establish conversion factors where necessary. |
| Target 16d Reduced conversion factors only applied when necessary to offset increased losses associated with water supply delivery | FULL | • Part 11 of this Plan enables the Minister to establish conversion factors where necessary. |
| Target 16e Any unassigned access rights identified and clear mechanisms established for their future assignment | FULL | • There is no unallocated water at the commencement of this Plan. If unassigned TDELs arise, rules for its distribution are established. |
| Target 16f Zones established where necessary for environmental protection and limits/constraints on water dealings in them made explicit | FULL | • 4 water trading zones are established, and the rules for trading between them set out in Part 11 of this Plan. |
| Target 35 All management plans incorporating water quality objectives that have considered Government approved Interim Environmental Objectives, the current Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council Guidelines and the recommendations of relevant Healthy Rivers Commission Inquiries | PARTIAL | • This Plan includes a water quality objective, and assumes that the planned environmental water rules will contribute to an improvement in water quality. |