Proposed revised access rules for water sharing plans

• Copeton Dam Water Source (new Copeton Dam Management Zone only) (PDF, 173.83 KB)
• Moredun Creek Water Source (PDF, 149.92 KB)
• Tycannah Creek Water Source (PDF, 175.74 KB)
• Hydrological analysis, a supplementary report extract for Water Sharing Plan review - Gwydir PDF, 1932.83 KB

• Cockburn River Water Source (Cockburn River Management Zone only) (PDF, 141.28 KB)
• Maules Creek Water Source (Maules and Horsearm Creeks Management Zone only) (PDF, 171.76 KB)
• Mid Macdonald River Water Source (Macdonald River Upstream Woolbrook Management Zone only) (PDF, 149.56 KB)
• Upper Namoi Water Source (Macdonald and Namoi Rivers Management Zone only) (PDF, 120.88 KB)
• Hydrological analysis, a supplementary report extract for Water Sharing Plan review – Namoi and Peel (PDF, 4831.65 KB)
• Cockburn River Management Zone - Additional information on proposed revised cease-to-pump rule (PDF, 142.69 KB)

• Lower Bogan River Water Source (PDF, 128.25 KB)
• Upper Cudgegong River Water Source (new Cudgegong River Downstream Management Zone only) (PDF, 123.03 KB)
• Hydrological analysis, a supplementary report extract for Water Sharing Plan review – Macquarie/Wambuul Bogan PDF, 963.15 KB

• Boorowa River and Hovells Creek Water Source (PDF, 148.8 KB)
• Mandagery Creek Water Source (Lower Mandagery Creek Management Zone only) (PDF, 133.68 KB)
• Hydrological analysis, a supplementary report extract for Water Sharing Plan review – Lachlan PDF, 3051.29 KB

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Water sharing plans are complex documents and require input from a wide range of stakeholders including government agencies and concurrence from Ministers. Due to the complexity of these plans and consideration of environmental conditions and risks the NSW Government is seeking feedback on proposed revised access rules in 11 specific water sources across 4 water sharing plan areas. While the department had initially included amendment provisions in the plans that would allow it to review these access rules at a later date, undertaking consultation now will ensure we get the plans right from the start. This gives everyone an opportunity to fully consider and have assurance about the rules for water sharing in these river systems.

The NSW Government reviewed multiple lines of evidence to determine whether further changes to the rules were needed. This included assessing the cumulative risks of water extraction at very low and low flow levels to multiple threatened species and critical ecosystem functions within individual water sources, as well as across broader valleys. The review also considered the flow requirements necessary to support species, maintain ecosystem functions, and ensure water quality for each water source. Opportunities to improve flow conditions through revised access rules were also evaluated—particularly in terms of reducing the frequency of cease-to-flow events and increasing the proportion of time that species’ flow requirements are met. This led to a conclusion that the risks to the environment resulting from the combined rules across the draft unregulated plans were high and that changes were needed to bring the risks to a more appropriate level.

Given the level of connectivity between the Barwon and Darling Rivers and its tributaries, it is appropriate to consider the Barwon–Darling unregulated WSP at the same time as the other 4 plans.

The Murrumbidgee unregulated WSP may shortly proceed to approval and concurrence as no revised cease to pump access rules were proposed in that plan area.

The NSW Government will meet its legal obligations in respect of compensation under the Water Management Act 2000, if such an obligation arises.

The proposed cease to pump access rules consider environmental outcomes. A socio-economic assessment is yet to be undertaken. The department uses reductions in pumping days as a surrogate for economic impact. We recognise that these proposals have a variable impact on access across the 11 different areas.

The main way to protect aquatic and water-dependent ecosystems in the water source is to reduce how often the creeks stop flowing throughout the year and to protect low flows and very low flows. This is especially important during the breeding season of endangered species (spring to summer).

The proposed changes to the access rule are intended to lower the risks to the water source, improving protections for aquatic ecosystems and species by:

• reducing how often the river stops flowing
• increasing how long flows stay above low and very low flow conditions
• supporting adequate water depth to enable native fish and other aquatic animals to travel throughout the water source and river system more broadly. While the proposed access rules will not maintain specific water depths at all times—as the river will naturally reduce to very low flows and cease to flow at times—they are expected to protect the natural recession of lower flows in line with natural conditions and increase the time when flow supports movement of aquatic species
• improving river connectivity and how often refuge pools are filled
• supporting species condition during flow periods to enhance resilience of native fauna and ecosystems through dry spells, including cease-to-flow events
• reducing water quality issues by ensuring a minimum flow velocity past the gauge.

The department does not currently intend to apply this approach to other unregulated river water sources. However, it is important to get the rules in water sharing plans right and NSW Government is committed to appropriately considering the needs of the environment, commercial water users, towns and the community. As part of regular water sharing plan remakes, access rules are reviewed based on the best available information and assessment of risks at the time.

Yes, but only if you have an aquifer access licence in the Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi Alluvial Groundwater Sources 2025 that is linked to surface water access rules.

If you have an aquifer access licence in the Manilla Alluvial Groundwater Source that specifies the Namoi Unregulated River Alluvial Management Zone your access rule would be linked to the very low flow class and A-class triggers (cease-to-pump level) set for the Macdonald and Namoi Rivers Management Zone in the draft Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi and Peel Unregulated Rivers Water Sources 2025. These triggers are part of the additional consultation being undertaken currently.

Revised access rules are not proposed for the Halls Creek Management Zone.

The linked groundwater-surface water licences in the Upper Namoi Zone 11 (Upstream Elfin Crossing) Management Zone and Maules Creek Groundwater Source will not be affected because the flow trigger is set in the Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi Alluvial Groundwater Sources 2020.

No changes are proposed to groundwater access in the Cockburn River Alluvium Management Zone as part of these proposed revised access rules.

No. Town Water Supplies are exempt from access rules and pool rules and will not be affected by the proposed changes.

The proposed change to the access rule is intended to lower the risks to the water source, improving protections for aquatic ecosystems and species by:

• reducing how often the creek stops flowing
• increasing how long flows stay above low and very low flow conditions
• supporting adequate water depth to enable species to travel throughout the water sources and river system more broadly
• improving river connectivity and how often refuge pools are filled
• supporting species condition during flow periods to enhance resilience of native fauna and ecosystems through dry spells, including cease-to-flow events
• reducing water quality issues by ensuring a minimum flow velocity past the gauge.

The previous rules did not sufficiently deliver these outcomes and increased the long-term risks to the water source and its dependent ecosystems.

Yes, the existing gauging network can support the implementation of the proposed new cease-to-pump (CTP) thresholds. The proposed CTPs rely on active telemetered gauges, which measure water level hourly or daily. Water level data and corresponding flow rates (discharge) are published daily by WaterNSW. The flow rates are calculated using the most recent rating curve that defines the relationship between water level and discharge.

Linking access rules to active telemetered gauges enhances both implementation and compliance monitoring. While some gauge sites may experience changes in riverbed levels or channel geometry over time, any resulting changes to the rating curve can be monitored and reviewed periodically. If there are significant changes to the rating relationship, the CTP thresholds could be reviewed and updated as needed. WaterNSW conducts regular reviews of gauge ratings.

Potential changes to ratings over time would not affect NRAR’s ability to undertake compliance, as compliance is based on real-time flow data published by WaterNSW.

Yes. Submissions made in late 2024/early 2025 were made in relation to access rules proposed in the draft plan at that time. Feedback is now being sought on different rules. When making a new submission, please advise us if you would like us to refer to your earlier submission as well.

As soon as possible.

Staging has not been proposed at this stage but is something that could be considered.