Beginning of public exhibition for Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan

The NSW Government commenced public exhibition of the draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan today.

The plan is one of the twenty Water Resource Plans NSW will be releasing for public comment.

Lands and Water Division Department of Industry – Director Planning, Vanessa O’Keefe said the draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan, which includes a new draft Water Sharing Plan,  covers groundwater within the Macquarie-Castlereagh catchment that forms part of the Murray-Darling Basin in central-western NSW.

“Water resource plans are a key requirement of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan with 20 water resource plans currently being developed in NSW. Consultation with communities is an essential part of developing and finalising these plans. This has included consultation with First Nations within the plan area, which is currently ongoing,” said Ms O’Keefe.

“Macquarie-Castlereagh groundwater users can now go online, review the draft plan and provide feedback. They are also encouraged to attend any of the three public information and feedback sessions happening this month.

“Previous consultation on water resource plans included the opportunity for community feedback on a status and issues paper and the state-wide Groundwater Stakeholder Advisory Panel.

“Water resource plans outline how each region aims to achieve community, environmental, economic and cultural outcomes and ensure that state water management rules meet the Basin Plan objectives.

The draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan, including the draft Water Sharing Plan, will be on public exhibition until 14 December 2018.

Public information and feedback sessions are being held at the following locations:

For further information about the sessions, and to view the plans and give feedback, visit the Department of Industry Water Resource Plans.