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 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% of average annual recharge for a groundwater source where there is no significant ecosystem dependency; 70% of average annual recharge where there is significant ecosystem dependency | FULL | • This Plan clearly sets out the sustainable yield (SY) or extraction limit as 70% of estimated recharge in each groundwater source. |
| 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 | • This Plan clearly sets out the planned environmental water as 30% of estimated recharge in each groundwater source.• This Plan sets out extraction rules/buffer zones to limit local environmental impacts of extraction (Part 10).• Part 10 also identifies high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems.• This Plan provides for variation in planned environmental water rules in Year 6 based on studies of groundwater ecosystem dependency. |
| Target 5 Access rights for water access licensees clearly and legally specified in terms of share and extraction components | HIGH | • This Plan establishes transparent extraction limits and access rules.• This Plan embargos new access licence applications excepting those less than 5ML, up to a total of 100ML per groundwater source. These could have a minor impact on the value of existing access licences in Tomago and Tomaree where current licence volumes already exceed the extraction limits.• The local extraction rules (Part 10) means that future rights will not be exclusive but affected by the location of other water supply works. Access licences with existing bores will have priority over licences requiring new bores. |
| Target 6a For groundwater sources, 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 volumes for each groundwater source are not more than 125% of SY (extraction limit). |
| Target 7 Mechanisms in place to enable Aboriginal communities to gain an increased share of the benefits of the water economy | HIGH | • This Plan makes no special provision for access to water for Aboriginal communities.• This Plan provides general market opportunity.• This Plan allows for applications for new access licences of up to 5ML/yr, but gives no priority of access.• The Government has established alternative mechanisms to address 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 | HIGH | • Baseflows to surface rivers and tidal rivers (eg Tilligerry Creek) are recognised as groundwater dependent ecosystems and therefore subject to a 40 metre buffer zone.• Adequacy of this is not known but this Plan provides for this to be reviewed in Year 6. |
| 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 dependent ecosystem have been mapped, but ecological water requirements are not known.• This Plan sets out extraction rules/buffer zones to limit local environmental impacts of extraction on ecosystems (Part 10).• Part 10 identifies high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems.• This Plan provides for variation in planned environmental water rules in Year 6 based on further studies of groundwater ecosystem dependency. |
| 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 | PARTIAL | • This Plan has identified the volumes necessary to meet basic domestic and stock requirements. |
| 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 | HIGH | • Aboriginal community representatives have been involved in development of this Plan.• A workshop was held with broader members of Aboriginal community to input ideas into 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 | HIGH | • This Plan does not address specific Aboriginal cultural or traditional requirements but has identified dependent ecosystems of particular importance.• This Plan does provide extraction rules to protect these dependent ecosystems which should assist in protecting Aboriginal values. |
| Target 15 At least 90 percent of approved water management works for the extraction of surface or ground waters (excepting domestic and stock bores) metered and reported in each water source that is subject to a gazetted water sharing plan | HIGH | • All major utility extraction metered, and most other licensed extraction. |
| Target 16a All share components of access licences tradeable | FULL | • This Plan provides for trading of access licences and water allocations. |
| Target 16f Zones established where necessary for environmental protection and limits/constraints on water dealings in them made explicit | FULL | • This Plan establishes three groundwater sources and the constraints to trading between these is based on share component levels versus the extraction limit in each groundwater source. |
| 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 water quality objective and recognises the beneficial use as raw water for drinking purposes. Part 10 specifically addresses water quality. |
| 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 area to date although this Plan provides for a schedule of contamination sources, and rules to manage the movement of poor quality water. |