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 the 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 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 | PARTIAL | • This Plan sets out the Sustainable Yield as 100% of estimated recharge which is also distributed by each water source• Detailed assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems and their environmental requirements has not been undertaken, however there is a review of groundwater dependent ecosystem requirements and this Plan can be amended in the 2010/11 water year to take account of the results of this |
| Target 1f Rules for adjustments to future water determinations in the event that the extraction limits are exceeded, clearly prescribed in consultation with the relevant water 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 | PARTIAL | • Detailed assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems and their environmental requirements has not been undertaken• This Plan excludes licensed extraction from within 200 metres of high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems which may be identified during the term of this Plan, creeks and rivers (or 100m for basic rights)• This Plan sets out local extraction rules to prevent the localised decline in water levels• However the water account rules in Part 10 of this Plan allow a high level of extraction to occur and may place the resource and any dependent ecosystems at risk• This Plan allows for a review of groundwater dependent ecosystems by 30 June 2011 |
| Target 5 Access rights for water access licensees clearly and legally specified in terms of share and extraction components | PARTIAL | • This Plan establishes transparent Sustainable Yields and allocation rules• Access licence share components are tradeable under this Plan• This Plan recommends embargos on new licence application• The reduction in access licence share components are made explicit in this Plan• The water account rules in Part 10 of this Plan may allow a high level of extraction to occur and place the rights of other licence holders at risk• The local impact management rules means that rights will not be exclusive but affected by the future location of works. Licences with existing water supply works (bores) will have priority over licences requiring new water supply works (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 access licence share components for aquifers (and individual water sources) is greater than 125% of Sustainable Yield• This Plan provides for a reduction in share components in Year 1 to 100% of Sustainable Yield (which is set at recharge). |
| 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 | • Detailed assessment of connectivity has not been undertaken• A review of groundwater dependent ecosystem requirements is being undertaken in the first 5 years, and mechanisms are in this Plan to change the environmental rules as a result of that review |
| 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 | PARTIAL | • Detailed assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems and their environmental requirements has not been undertaken• This Plan excludes licensed extraction from within 200 metres (or 100m for basic rights) of high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems which may be identified during the term of this Plan, and these may not be identified until Year 5• This Plan allows for a review of groundwater dependent ecosystems by 30 June 2011. |
| 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 has identified the volumes necessary to meet domestic and stock requirements in each groundwater source• This Plan protects domestic and stock bores from interference from higher yielding bores and local water level declines |
| 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 | • 2 Aboriginal community representatives have been involved in development of this Plan• The Namoi Groundwater Management Committee that prepared this Plan attended Aboriginal cultural awareness training• A Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) Aboriginal Natural Resource Officer supported the Aboriginal representatives• Meetings were held between the DLWC Aboriginal Natural Resource Officer and indigenous stakeholders, Elders and NSW Aboriginal Lands Council |
| 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 | • This Plan does not address Aboriginal cultural or traditional requirements specifically, but acknowledges that they are likely to be addressed through the environmental health water and local impact management provisions• This Plan excludes licensed extraction from within 200 metres of high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems and any creeks and rivers where impact may occur on Aboriginal values |
| Target 16a All share components of access licences tradeable | FULL | • Part 11 of this Plan provides for trading of access licences |
| Target 16c Conversion factors and protocols established to facilitate trading and dealings between water sources, whilst also protecting existing access and environmental water | HIGH | • This Plan does not allow trading out of these groundwater sources (justifiable)• This Plan does establish rules for transfers between and within these groundwater sources, and establishes rules for minimising the impact of any transfers on existing licence holders and the environment |
| Target 16d Reduced conversion factors only applied when necessary to offset increased losses associated with water supply delivery | FULL | • This Plan does not impose reduction factors |
| Target 16e Any unassigned access rights identified and clear mechanisms established for their future assignment | N/A | • No unallocated water |
| Target 16f Zones established where necessary for environmental protection and limits/constraints on water dealings in them made explicit | FULL | • In the Upper Namoi aquifer this Plan establishes 12 water sources, referred to as Zones 1 to 12, and prohibits trading between them excepting into Zone 10 |
| 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• The beneficial use categories and criteria are specified |
| 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 these groundwater sources is referenced in this Plan• This Plan includes rules to manage the lateral movement of poor quality water |