The confluence of the Darling (right) and Murray Rivers at Wentworth in NSW. Photo: Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Residents, businesses, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders are invited to have their say on the draft replacement Lower Murray-Darling Unregulated Water Sharing Plan, which lays out clear rules for fair and sustainable distribution of water across the region for the next decade.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Executive Director of Water Planning, Giselle Howard, said the time had come to begin extensive public consultation to replace the existing plan before it expires on 30 June 2024.
“Water sharing plans are legal instruments that must be replaced or updated every 10 years. Community input is critical to ensure we are striking the right balance between town supply, agriculture, industry and the environment,” Ms Howard said.
“This plan encompasses unregulated water sources throughout the southwest corner of NSW, covering 100,000 square kilometres from where the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers meet, all the way to the South Australian border and north to Broken Hill, Wilcannia and Tilpa.
“It’s one of the driest parts of the state which means robust water management is even more important, so we’ll take the time to listen carefully and consider what locals have to say and use that information to build a plan that works for everyone.”
The new draft Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Murray-Darling Unregulated Water Source 2024 contains minimal changes; setting limits on how much water can be taken and continuing to protect basic landholder rights, cultural assets and environmental water.
“We’re not reinventing the wheel here because we know water users want certainty going forward. What we are proposing are some simple, sensible adjustments where possible,” Ms Howard said.
“That includes our proposal to increase the number of critical wetlands declared ‘significant’ from four to over 200 which is a huge win for the environment by preventing new water supply works or water trading into these areas and preserving them for generations to come.
“There’s only a handful of water access licences in this region so I want to make it clear that we are not taking water from farmers and agriculture. We are simply adding another layer of protection to the wetlands.”
The public will have until midnight 11 November 2023 to submit feedback on the draft plan.
An online webinar will be held on 17 October and a face-to-face information session will be held at Dareton on 24 October. One-on-one phone meetings can also be arranged.
This unregulated water sharing plan is separate to the NSW Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Water Sharing Plan that includes the lower River Murray, the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling Baaka River. The regulated plan is due to be replaced in 2026.
To read more and register your interest for the information sessions visit: Draft replacement Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Murray-Darling Unregulated River Water Source.
