Corporate licences

The management of corporate licences was established in 1998 in response to the NSW Government's water reforms. Corporate licences are those licences identified by the NSW Office of Water as being held by entities that are significant users of water and require specific attention. These entities are generally Government Trading Enterprises, or enterprises authorised to engage in trade that are owned, sanctioned or otherwise supported by the government. Many of the corporate licensees are state-owned corporations.

The Office of Water plays a key role in managing the corporate licences of:

• four power utility companies – Delta Electricity, Eraring Energy, Macquarie Generation and Snowy Hydro Ltd
• three water supply utilities – Sydney Water Corporation, Sydney Catchment Authority and Hunter Water Corporation
• five irrigation corporations (Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd, Murray Irrigation Ltd, Western Murray Irrigation Ltd, Jemalong Irrigation Ltd, Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative Ltd)
• one river operator – State Water Corporation.

The Office of Water also coordinates scientific input into conditioning and reviewing licences as well as providing direct support to water sharing plan teams.

For further information, please contact Corporate licensing.