The Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Macquarie Groundwater Sources includes rules for protecting the environment, extractions, managing licence holders' water accounts, and water trading in the plan area.
Information on this water sharing plan is available for viewing as detailed below:
Water sharing plan
The Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Macquarie Groundwater Sources is a detailed legal instrument written in its required statutory format.
Plan status
The Lower Macquarie Groundwater plan commenced on 1 October 2006.
Amendment to plan
Subsequent to the making of the plan, some drafting errors were identified. These errors were rectified to remove maximum account limit provisions from the plan. In addition, amendments were made to prohibit trading in supplementary groundwater access licences and correct entitlement reduction provisions.
Amendments to the plan were finalised in August 2011 and can be viewed on the NSW Legislation website.
Achieving Sustainable Groundwater Entitlements program
The Achieving Sustainable Groundwater Entitlements program aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the six major inland groundwater systems in NSW, and a healthy and sustainable groundwater irrigation industry.
Implementation program
Water sharing plans are in place for 10 years, providing certainty of access for environmental health and for all licensed water users during the life of the plan. Each plan is supported by an Implementation program that allows the community to identify the strategies the NSW Office of Water will adopt, and details the milestones necessary to ensure that the objectives of the plan are achieved. Any adjustments made to the plan as a result of the program's findings will recognise the limitations set within the original plan.
Progress report
Since this water sharing plan commenced, there has been significant progress in implementing its provisions. The Progress report (PDF 127 KB) summarises key activities arising from the implementation of the plan.