How Healthy is our Catchment? Management Targets

Rivers and Groundwater

Water Sharing

Management Target:
Water sharing plans, incorporating NSW River Flow Objectives implemented for all priority river systems by 2015.

What Water Sharing Plans are to be done?

With the final announcement of the Cap on Extractions for the Barwon Darling River the development of the Water Sharing Plan (WSP) for the Barwon- Darling will be done during 2005-06. A ‘Macro’ Water Sharing Plan will also be done during the same period for the minor water sources of the Catchment. This will include the catchments of the Paroo, Warrego, Culgoa, Bokhara, Birie, Narran, Moonie Rivers and Yanda Creek. The draft WSP for the Great Artesian Basin water source will also be finalised over the next year or two.

What will be the WCMA’s involvement in Water Sharing Plans?

The Department of Natural Resources will carry out the technical modelling and drafting of the WSPs, with the WCMA ensuring the community consultation on the draft plan is carried out effectively and that the communities views are fully considered in the finalising of the plan.

In the longer term the WCMA will assess the effectiveness of implementation of WSPs and review the impact of extraction processes on community values and environmental outcomes

It is planned that funding will be made available in later years to assist water users to more efficiently utilise their share of the water as designated by the WSP. Much of this will be delivered under associated program areas.