A NSW Government website

Water sharing plan status

Hunter region

Information about water sharing plans for the Hunter region.

Chichester River at Chichester Dam in Dungog, New South Wales.

About the region

The Hunter region is bordered in the north-west by the Liverpool Ranges which separate it from the Namoi catchment, and on the west by the Great Dividing Range, which separates it from the Macquarie River catchment. It covers an area over 20,000km2 and extends further inland than any other coastal region of NSW.

It is the traditional lands of the Kamilaroi, Geawegal and Wonnarua people.

The water sharing plans that apply to the surface water and groundwater resources of the Hunter region are listed below.

View all plans

Water Sharing Plan (WSP) Supporting documentation Commence date Cease date Prior Water Sharing Plan and status
Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
  • Status: In force

Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022 Plan Map (WSP003_V4)

Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Map (GDE012_V2)

Summary of changes to the Hunter Water Sharing Plan fact sheet (July 2022)

Compliance with water management principles fact sheet (July 2022)

Status of NRC Review Recommendations fact sheet (July 2022)

Outcomes of public exhibition
July, 2022 June, 2032 Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2009
Hunter Regulated River Water Source 2016
  • Status: In force
Rule summary sheets

Background document 2016
July, 2016 June, 2026 This plan has been amended since it commenced. See the NSW Legislation site for details.
Paterson Regulated River Water Source 2019
  • Status: In force
Rule summary sheets: N/A
Background document: N/A
July, 2019 June, 2029 N/A
North Coast Coastal Sands Groundwater Sources 2016
  • Status: In force

North Coast Coastal Sands Groundwater Sources 2016 – Plan map (WSP034_V3)

North Coast Coastal Sands Groundwater Sources 2016 – GDE map (GDE003_V2)

Rule summary sheets

Background document 2016

Compliance with water management principles (July 2022)

Summary of changes fact sheet (July 2023)

Compliance with water management principles (July 2023)

July, 2016 June, 2026 This plan has been amended since it commenced. See the NSW Legislation site for details.
North Coast Fractured and Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2016
  • Status: In force

North Coast Fractured and Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2016 – Plan map (WSP033 V1)

North Coast Fractured and Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2016 – GDE map (GDE002_V1)

Rule summary sheets

Background document 2016
July, 2016 June, 2026 N/A
Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
  • Status: In force

Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Source 2022 Plan Map (WSP001_V3)

Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Source 2022 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Map (GDE027_V1)

Summary of changes to the Lower North Coast Water Sharing Plan fact sheet (July 2022)

Compliance with water management principles fact sheet (July 2022)

Status of NRC Review Recommendations fact sheet (July 2022)

Outcomes of public exhibition
July, 2022 June, 2032 Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2009