WATER ACT 2000 - SECT 376
Content of underground water impact report
WATER ACT 2000 - SECT 376
Content of underground water impact report
376 Content of underground water impact report
(1) An underground water impact report must include each of the following—
(a) for the area to which the report relates—
(i) the quantity of water
produced or taken from the area because of the exercise of any previous
relevant underground water rights; and
Example for paragraph (a)(i)—
If the
report is prepared by a mining tenure holder before it exercises its
underground water rights, the quantity of water produced or taken from the
area would be shown in the report as zero.
(ii) an estimate of the quantity
of water to be produced or taken because of the exercise of the relevant
underground water rights for a 3-year period starting on the consultation day
for the report;
(b) for each aquifer affected, or likely to be affected, by
the exercise of the relevant underground water rights—
(i) a description of
the aquifer; and
(ii) an analysis of the movement of underground water to and
from the aquifer, including how the aquifer interacts with other aquifers; and
(iii) an analysis of the trends in water level change for the aquifer because
of the exercise of the rights mentioned in paragraph (a) (i) ; and
(iv) a map
showing the area of the aquifer where the water level is predicted to decline,
because of the taking of the quantities of water mentioned in paragraph (a) ,
by more than the bore trigger threshold within 3 years after the consultation
day for the report; and
(v) a map showing the area of the aquifer where the
water level is predicted to decline, because of the exercise of relevant
underground water rights, by more than the bore trigger threshold at any time;
Note—
If the underground water impact report or final report is approved,
the mapped areas mentioned in subparagraphs (iv) and (v) establish immediately
affected and long-term affected areas under section 387.
(c) a description
of the methods and techniques used to obtain the information and predictions
under paragraph (b) ;
(d) a summary of information about all water bores in
the area shown on a map mentioned in paragraph (b) (iv) , including the number
of bores, and the location and authorised use or purpose of each bore;
(da) a
description of the impacts on environmental values that have occurred, or are
likely to occur, because of any previous exercise of underground water rights;
(db) an assessment of the likely impacts on environmental values that will
occur, or are likely to occur, because of the exercise of underground water
rights—
(i) during the period mentioned in paragraph (a) (ii) ; and
(ii)
over the projected life of the resource tenure;
(e) a program for—
(i)
conducting an annual review of the accuracy of each map prepared under
paragraph (b) (iv) and (v) ; and
(ii) giving the chief executive a summary of
the outcome of each review, including a statement of whether there has been a
material change in the information or predictions used to prepare the maps;
(f) a water monitoring strategy;
(g) a spring impact management strategy;
(h) if the responsible entity is the office—
(i) a proposed responsible
tenure holder for each report obligation mentioned in the report; and
(ii)
for each immediately affected area—the proposed responsible tenure holder or
holders who must comply with any make good obligations for water bores within
the immediately affected area;
(i) other information or matters prescribed
under a regulation.
(2) However, if the underground water impact report does
not show any predicted water level decline in any area of an affected aquifer
by more than the bore trigger threshold during the period mentioned in
subsection (1) (b) (iv) or at any time as mentioned in subsection (1) (b) (v)
, the report does not have to include the program mentioned in subsection (1)
(e) .
