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 is a good level of contribution
PARTIAL-goes some way to the target
LOW-only small degree of contribution
| Relevant target | Level of contribution | Comments |
| Target 1e The long term average annual extractions for groundwater limited (or being phased down) to an ecologically sustainable level (the Sustainable Yield) as determined by detailed assessment of each groundwater source and consultation with the relevant management committee. In the absence of such an assessment, the following to apply: 100 percent of average annual recharge for a groundwater source where there is no significant ecosystem dependency; 70 percent of average annual recharge where there is significant ecosystem dependency | FULL | • This Plan clearly sets out the Sustainable Yield, or extraction limit, as 55% of estimated recharge |
| 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 water 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 | • This Plan sets out the planned environmental water as 45% of estimated recharge• Part 10 of this Plan sets out the extraction rules to limit local environmental impact of extraction with 100 metre buffer around contaminated sources• Part 10 of this Plan identifies high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and prohibits any increase in Water Sharing Plan for the Stuarts Point Groundwater Source 2003 Page 29 extraction within 100 metres |
| • Part 10 of this Plan sets out local management rules to address water quality including avoiding saline intrusion damaging GDEs | ||
| Target 5 Access rights for water access licensees clearly and legally specified in terms of share and extraction components | HIGH | • This Plan establishes a transparent extraction limit and allocation rules• This Plan establishes a licence embargo with limited exemptions• The nature of local extraction rules (Part 10 of this Plan) means that future access rights will not be exclusive but affected by the location and cumulative demand of other works and licences with existing bores will have priority over licences requiring new bores |
| Target 6a The total volume of water specified on access licences reduced over the term of a water sharing plan to no more than 125% of the Sustainable Yield | FULL | • The total licensed entitlement for the aquifer is less than 125% of Sustainable Yield |
| Target 7 Mechanisms in place to enable Aboriginal communities to gain an increased share of the benefits of the water economy | HIGH | • This Plan provides general market opportunity• This Plan allows for applications for new access licences for cultural and Aboriginal commercial use• The Government has also established other mechanisms outside of the water sharing plans to comply with this target |
| Target 10 Degree of connectivity between aquifers and rivers assessed, and zones of high connectivity mapped to enable baseflows to the river to be maintained or improved | PARTIAL | • In clause 11, objective (d) relates to discharge to the estuary and this Plan assumes that by limiting extraction to 55% of recharge, discharge to the estuary will be maintained |
| Target 11 Groundwater dependent ecosystems identified and mapped for all priority aquifers, and the ecological water requirements assessed to enable local groundwater extraction rates and/or Sustainable Yields to be reviewed | HIGH | • Types of groundwater dependent ecosystems have been mapped, but ecological water requirements are not known• This Plan sets out extraction rules to limit local environmental impact of extraction on ecosystems• Part 10 of this Plan identifies high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems with rules to protect them |
| 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 | HIGH | • This Plan identifies volumes necessary to meet domestic and stock requirements• This Plan limits extraction to 55% of recharge which should protect access for basic rights• Local management rules reduce the risk of contamination of water supplies |
| 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 | • Aboriginal community representatives have been involved in the development of this Plan• Other capacity building/workshopping has been undertaken with the local Aboriginal communities• This Plan provides for the Local Aboriginal Land Council to provide advice on any impact of new licences |
| 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 | HIGH | • This Plan does not address specific Aboriginal cultural or traditional requirements but has identified dependent ecosystems of particular importance• The Aboriginal community representatives did not nominate any Aboriginal cultural issues that relate to groundwater management• The aquifer lies adjacent to Clybucca historic site but management of the aquifer should have no impact• Part 10 of this plan does provide extraction limits and local management rules that should assist in protecting Local Aboriginal Aboriginal values |
| • This Plan provides for the Local Aboriginal Land Council to provide advice on any impact of new licences | ||
| Target 16a All share components of access licences tradeable | FULL | • Part 11 of this Plan provides for trading of access licences |
| Target 16d Reduced conversion factors only applied when necessary to offset increased losses associated with water supply delivery | FULL | • This Plan does not impose any reduction factors |
| Target 16e Any unassigned access rights identified and clear mechanisms established for their future assignment | FULL | • The rules for granting of new licences are set out in Part 8 of this Plan and these rules nominate priority of applications |
| Target 16f Zones established where necessary for environmental protection and limits/constraints on water dealings in them made explicit | PARTIAL | • This Plan does not establish zones as this is not considered necessary for this aquifer• This Plan does, however, establish access licence dealing rules that limit the movement of licences or allocations into areas where there may be local impact |
| 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 | HIGH | • This Plan includes a general water quality objective and water quality related objectives for saline intrusion [clause 11 (e)], acid sulphate soils [clause 11 (f)] and contamination [clause 11 (k)]• This Plan recognises the beneficial use as raw water for drinking purposes and ecosystem protection |
| Target 38 Aquifer water quality vulnerability zones mapped and extraction limits reviewed to reduce the risk of lateral intrusion of poor quality water | PARTIAL | • No vulnerability mapping of this water source is referenced• This Plan sets rules for managing the movement of water from contamination sources |