The NSW government has announced a two-year extension of water sharing plans across the Murrumbidgee, Macquarie-Bogan, Gwydir, Lachlan, Belubula, Namoi and Peel regions to implement recommendations to their replacements.
The extension means the sharing plan for the Namoi and Peel Unregulated Rivers Water Sources 2012 will remain in effect until June 30, 2025.
Executive director of water planning Giselle Howard said water sharing plans are legal documents which lay out clear rules for the equitable and sustainable distribution of water among users over a 10-year period.
“We’ve extended these six plans by an extra two years to give us more time to collect detailed data, complete analysis and hear from stakeholders which will help inform each new water sharing plan that will now come into effect on July 1, 2025,” she said.
“This move is in line with recommendations from the independent Natural Resources Commission which formally reviews all NSW water sharing plans towards the end of their decade cycles to ensure they are working effectively. With the state on an El Niño alert, water users in these regions can have certainty in the current rules until 2025 while we examine areas where improvements can be made.
“During that time the Department of Planning and Environment will be looking more closely at climate information and opportunities to implement changes that will deliver better outcomes for town water supply, agriculture, industry and the environment.”
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