The NSW Government has announced a two-year extension of six water sharing plans across the Murrumbidgee, Macquarie-Bogan, Gwydir, Lachlan, Belubula, Namoi and Peel regions to implement recommendations to their replacements.
Executive Director of Water Planning Giselle Howard said water sharing plans are legal documents which lay out clear rules for the equitable and sustainable distribution of water among users over a 10-year period.
“We’ve extended these six plans by an extra two years to give us more time to collect detailed data, complete analysis and hear from stakeholders which will help inform each new water sharing plan that will now come into effect on 1 July 2025,” Ms Howard said.
“This move is in line with recommendations from the independent Natural Resources Commission which formally reviews all NSW water sharing plans towards the end of their decade cycles to ensure they are working effectively.”
The following water sharing plans will remain in effect until 30 June 2025:
Water Sharing Plan for the Lachlan Unregulated River Water Sources 2012
Water Sharing Plan for the Belubula Regulated River Water Source 2012
Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi and Peel Unregulated Rivers Water Sources 2012
“With the state on an El Niño alert, water users in these regions can have certainty in the current rules until 2025 while we examine areas where improvements can be made,” Ms Howard said.
“During that time the Department of Planning and Environment will be looking more closely at climate information and opportunities to implement changes that will deliver better outcomes for town water supply, agriculture, industry and the environment.”