New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE UPPER NAMOI AND LOWER NAMOI REGULATED RIVER WATER SOURCES 2003 - REG 31

31 Assessment of the long-term extraction limit, the current long-term average annual extraction from these water sources and growth in water use by Tamworth City Council

(1) Assessment of the long-term extraction limit and the current long-term average annual extraction from these water sources shall be carried out after the end of each water year, using the hydrologic computer model that, at the time, is approved by the Department for assessing long-term water extraction from these water sources.

(2) To assess the long-term extraction limit, the model referred to in subclause (1) shall be set to represent as closely as possible the conditions referred to in clauses 30 (1) (a) and 30 (1) (b).

(3) To assess the current long-term average annual extraction from these water sources, the model referred to in subclause (1) shall be set to represent as closely as possible all water use development, supply system management and other factors affecting the quantity of long-term average annual extraction from these water sources at the time of assessment.

(4) An assessment shall also be carried out each year to determine the growth in extraction by Tamworth City Council.

(5) Growth in extraction by Tamworth City Council for the purposes of this clause and clause 32 shall be the greater of:

(a) the current long-term average annual extraction from all surface water sources in the Namoi Water Management Area under the local water utility access licences or Water Act 1912 licences held by Tamworth City Council minus the long-term average annual extraction by Tamworth City Council, under Cap baseline conditions, and

(b) zero.

(6) Assessments under subclause (4) shall be carried out in accordance with procedures established by the Minister, but should be based on the results from a hydrologic computer model where this is possible.