Tweed Area Water Sharing Plan on public display

The NSW Government invites community feedback on the draft Water Sharing Plan for the Tweed River Area, which aims to ensure water is shared fairly and equitably to support water users, towns and communities, businesses and the environment over the next 10 years.

Executive Director of Water Planning, Giselle Howard, said the public exhibition period has been extended after the region was hit by catastrophic flooding earlier this year.

“The community and water users are a key consideration of this plan, which is why it’s so important they have their say,” Ms Howard said.

“We know recent major flooding has had a devastating impact on the Tweed community and the continued recovery effort may limit stakeholders’ ability to consult with us and give feedback.

“That’s why we’re increasing the display period to 50 days, and adding targeted consultation sessions – so Aboriginal groups, residents, business and industry stakeholders, environmental reps and local government all have the opportunity to get involved.”

The draft Tweed area plan continues to protect basic landholder rights, cultural needs, and water for the environment, and sets limits on how much water can be taken.

It also outlines the continued requirement for all works to have a meter, ensuring licenced water take can be measured and accounted for.

Ms Howard said the draft plan also proposes changes to access rules in several water sources to better balance the needs of water users and the environment.

“This is an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to help us finalise a plan that works for the whole region.

We want to hear about the impacts and benefits of all the proposed changes,” Ms Howard said.

“The way we manage water has never been more important. We now know the recent drought was the most extreme ever recorded. The bushfires that followed and this year’s disastrous flooding hit the community, the regions’ industries and the environment extremely hard.

“There is no doubt droughts and floods will come again. That's why we’re building a plan to share water smartly, fairly and equitably no matter what challenges we face during the next decade.”

Feedback can be submitted until 18 December 2022. An online webinar will be held on 8 November, and a face- to-face information session will be held in Murwillumbah on 15 November that will also provide the community an opportunity to consult on the draft Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy, on public exhibition shortly.

Every submission will be considered carefully before the final water sharing plan comes into effect by 1 July 2023.

To read the draft water sharing plan and register your interest for the information sessions, visit: Tweed Area Water Sharing Plan.