Hunter River Tidal Pool Water Sources

Amendment of water sharing rules for the Hunter River Tidal Pool water sources

The department has now finalised amendments to the Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022 (the Plan) implementing new Available Water Determination rules in the Hunter River tidal pool water sources. The department has gained the required support from our interagency partners from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water Biodiversity Conservation & Science, as well as the Minister for Water and the Minister for the Environment.

This amendment will be included in the Plan from the date the amended plan is published on the NSW Legislation website but will not take affect until 1 July 2025, the start of the next water year. The amendment will impact unregulated licence holders of the Hunter River, Paterson River, and Wallis Creek tidal pool water sources. In finalising the amendments, the department has considered all feedback provided by stakeholders through their submissions and during face-to-face workshops. The department wish to take this opportunity to thank the community for their engagement.

Stakeholders can still view all supporting information provided during the workshops for more information.