Opportunity to obtain a new groundwater access licence

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is making new water access licenses available in 54 groundwater sources across NSW.

The opportunity to acquire new shares in these groundwater sources will be available through a tender process, with a limited number of shares for each groundwater source.

Chief Operating Officer for Water, Graham Attenborough, said the shares in these groundwater sources will be offered in order of highest to lowest bids until all shares are exhausted or all bids are satisfied, whichever comes first.

“Previous tenders for limited groundwater access licenses resulted in diverse interest, ranging from agricultural industries and mining companies to developers,” said Mr Attenborough.

“The release of these groundwater shares will provide another avenue for new or expanding businesses to access groundwater, which is important given that opportunities to buy groundwater through trading are limited in many areas of NSW.

“The conservative controlled allocation approach ensures a portion of groundwater is safely set aside to meet the future needs of urban water suppliers and holders of basic landholder rights.

“Controlled allocations of groundwater commenced in 2009 and have been operating since then to increase the productive use of groundwater for urban, regional, and rural industries and communities.”

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment invites interested parties to apply during the registration period, which runs from 2 November to 2 December 2022.

Further information on the process, including details on how to register an expression of interest, can be found on the department’s website at Controlled allocations.