Submission for the Gwydir Unregulated WSP is do Friday 10th January. There are some noticeable changes to conditions for many unregulated
river access licences.
Please review your entitlements to determine what changes have been proposed to access. The changes are detailed in Section 3, from page 39 in the public exhibition draft for the Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated River Water Sources 2025. The conditions associated
with your access licence can be checked on the NSW water register
1 x 38 ML (megalitres) of Lower Gwydir Groundwater allocation for sale. You can bid in price/megalitre by emailing gvia@gvia.org.au before
5pm Friday 28th February 2025. The buyer will be required to cover the WaterNSW application and dealing fees and the GVIA transaction
fee of $55.00 (Inc GST). Please note as of July 2024, there have been changes to the process for tiaging and assessing groundwater temporary
trades. More
information is available here.
6 January 2025: WaterNSW advises customers on the Gwydir River below Tyreel Weir that demand may exceed channel capacity in mid-January and
throughout the remainder of the irrigation season.
Water demand on the Lower Gwydir recently exceeded delivery capacity, resulting in temporary water delivery shortfalls in lower reaches of
the Gwydir.
Customers are encouraged to extract water only at ordered rates and only ordered volumes.
Whilst current water orders and subsequent delivery forecast does not indicate a return to demand exceeding delivery capacity in the
immediate future, it is anticipated that delivery constraints will occur throughout late January and early February 2025.
Rostering of available channel capacity will occur if a return to demand exceeding available capacity occurs as was last experienced in
January 2018.
For account enquiries please contact 1300 662 077.
More information: Visit WaterInsights to view announcements and sign up for notifications at waterinsights.waternsw.com.au. Issued by: Water Operations North
Today the MDBA have released the Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap. Constraints relaxation were identified as a necessary component to enhance environmental outcomes from water recovery in the original Basin Plan. They were the driving force behind schedule 5
Enhanced environmental outcomes to increase the volume of water resources available for environmental use by 450 GL per year. There will be
challenges for producers in our region. The roadmap states:
"New South Wales is also at an advanced stage in the planning of constraints relaxation implementation in the Gwydir. Engagement with
stakeholders and landholders has identified key issues to delivery that mean full implementation will likely extend beyond December 2026.
The Australian and NSW governments are working together to rescope the Reconnecting Watercourse Country Program to ensure tangible outcomes
are delivered to relax system constraints in the Gwydir by December 2026. In April 2025, NSW will provide an options assessment report to the Commonwealth identifying the preferred delivery option for a rescoped program."
The NSW DCCEEWW have released the recording from the Wetlands webinar on Monday 9th.
If you have any questions about the recording please contact the office on 02 67521399, or email gvia@gvia.org.au
To prepare a submission if you do not support an identified wetland please use this
template
as a starting base. If you send your submission to the GVIA we will include this in our submission as well to help reinforce that we do not accept the prescribed wetlands.
Importantly the recommendation was only to include significant wetlands, not all possible depressions on the floodplain. If any site
identified does not have plants or animals that are adapted to and dependent on moist conditions for part of their lifecycle, then it is not a wetland. If you can evidence this with photos and cropping history this will be useful.
We are also still waiting for evidence to support the claimed intent of inclusion the wetlands.
Submissions for wetlands are due by the 2nd of February and can be emailed to wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au
please specify the Gwydir unregulated WSP area in your response.
The Draft Gwydir unregulated Water Sharing Plan includes 327 newly prescribed wetlands. If you have one of these on your property, or
neighbouring your property you may wish to put in a submission to the NSW government raising your concerns.
The included template is an example of what you might like to use
in your submission to the NSW Government. Please replace the text highlighted yellow with your thoughts for the wetland you are concerned
about. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the GVIA on 02 6752 1399.
Anyone can put in a submission, these are due on the 2nd of February 2025.
The following link provides a number of documents, including an interactive map regarding the water sharing plan and the wetlands.
The department are hosting a webinar on the wetlands on Monday 9th December, You can register
here.
The NSW department have developed a guided process map to help explain what is involved in getting storage metering established and
operational.
The fact sheet is available here.
The process includes water supply works approvals, The installation and certification of equipment, storage curves, survey benchmarks and
more.
The NSW Department have extended the due date for submissions to the draft Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated River Water
Sources 2025 to Friday 10 January 2025.
Those with changes to access at their unregulated works should review
- Schedule 1 to check flow class thresholds,
- Schedule 2 to check access licences exempt from specified access rules and
- Schedule 3 for access licences and approvals subject to specified cease to take conditions.
There is also an extension for submissions on the New prescribed wetlands until 2 February 2025. This will
provide much needed time for those impacted to collect evidence of why sites coloured yellow are not wetlands. I will distribute a template in the coming days to help you with your submissions.
There are one on one phone meetings available, and I recommend anyone with a wetland register for one of these. Book a phone
call -
please email wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au and specify your plan area in
your response.
Submissions can be emailed to wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
The department are hosting an additional webinar on wetlands on 9 December 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 - Register
here
If you have your Primary storage meters installed and certified or have a point of intake meter installed, you may want to nominate a Flood Plain Harvesting event. The following link is a video from Water NSW stepping you through how to start an event.
Remember that only primary meters can be used in the Gwydir.
There has also been a supplementary announcement made for several members.
The Department have just released the updated interactive mapping tool for the draft Gwydir Water Sharing Plan Prescribed Wetlands.
This is quite different to the initial map.
Despite it being an improvement on the initial map, it still remains that there is a lack of clarity around the implications of what having a wetland on your country means. We will continue to investigate and provide feedback when we can.
On Tuesday 19th November the NSW Member for Northern Tablelands Mr Brendan Moylan raised concerns about the newly determined 327 wetlands that have been included in the latest review of the Gwydir Unregulated Water Sharing Plan. The full statement is available here.
In it Brendan notes:
"The issue is that that plan has included an additional 327 wetlands within that valley. The mapping used to identify those 327
additional wetlands has not been based on ground truth. Quite frankly, it could not be. The difficulty this raises is from not only a water
user's perspective but also a primary production perspective, particularly in circumstances where the Government is planning to give the
native vegetation regulatory [NVR] map legal effect. The plan identifies an additional 327 wetlands, most of which are on private property,
which will have flow-on effects—no pun intended—for the NVR map, particularly because those wetlands are located in areas that are otherwise
unregulated country as defined by the NVR map.
The recent release of the draft Gwydir Unregulated WSP has raised issues for many members. The draft includes details for access licences
and approvals subject to specified cease-to-take conditions. These are detailed for specific access licences.
If you have a Gwydir Unregulated Access Licence please review schedule
3 of the draft to see if your licence is listed. Please check the draft conditions with your existing conditions.
If you are not supportive of the proposed changes please prepare a submission detailing your objection.
We would also recommend that you register for a one on one consultation to discuss your licence and any newly created
wetlands that may have appeared on your country.
To book a phone call- please email wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au and specify your plan area in your response.
The date for submissions has been extended to the 10th January 2025 and can be lodged here.
They can also be emailed to wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
The draft Gwydir unregulated WSP includes proposed changes to access rules in the following water sources:
• Halls Creek Water Source,
• Rocky Creek, Cobbadah, Upper Horton and Lower Horton Water Source,
• Myall Creek Water Source,
• Moredon Creek Water Source and
• Copeton Dam Water Source.
Access rules do not apply to take under basic landholder rights.
The draft plan also includes proposed changes to trade rules for water shares and allocations in the following water sources:
• Boorolong Creek Water Source
• Mackenzies Flat Water Source
• Mosquito Creek Water Source
For more information about these changes, go to the proposed changes fact sheet and the report cards on the department’s website.
The DCCEEW will be hosting a webinar on the draft Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated River Water Sources 2025.
This webinar on Tuesday 19th November 2024 from 12 noon will cover the following topics:
the draft water sharing plan
the public exhibition details, and
how to make a submission.
A question-and-answer session will be held at the end of the webinar. Please include your questions when you register
at the link below.
Alternatively email your questions to wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
There will also be a meeting in Bingara on Wednesday 27th November 2024. Register
here
On Monday 3rd Nov 2024 the NSW DCCEEW released the draft Gwydir Unregulated WSP with submissions due on Friday 13th Dec 2024.
As part of this they have included an additional 327 prescribed wetlands. The plan includes aspects that are designed to improve protection of these newly created wetlands by restricting new surface water supply works and trade into these areas.
The draft plan proposes there will be no new works or trades allowed within or up to 3 km upstream of Ramsar listed
wetlands or within a wetland displayed on the WSP prescribed wetlands map. The rules will not apply to replacement surface water supply
works.
The interactive map of these new wetlands is available here. Alternatively it can be accessed on the department weblink following.
Our initial investigation of the map shows that several of these new sites are not wetlands. The selection of sites has most likely been via
remote sensing using algorithms. The findings are unlikely to have been groundtruthed.
To assist in managing this issue could you please 1. Look at the map for your properties to determine if you have one of these new wetlands on your country. 2. Determine if you support the inclusion of the area as a wetland. If you do then there will be restrictions on replacement on water supply works. There may be other restrictions into the future and you will need to consider what these may be. 3. If you do not support the areas as a wetland you will need to provide evidence to support this. We are investigating
what evidence is needed and will provide this information to you as soon as we can.
The GVIA have had discussions with the department and the minister on this, and will be writing to them directly.
We will be preparing a submission on the draft WSP and are working to remove these new wetlands from the plan until there has been proper
engagement with stakeholders.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Lou via email or phone
WaterNSW pricing proposal to double cost of rural water
Rural water users in NSW could see their costs more than double over the next five years if IPART accepts the WaterNSW pricing proposal released today.
NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Claire Miller said pricing proposal recommends hiking water bills by 21-24% every year for five years, adding up
to $40,000 to a ‘typical’ farmer’s water bill by 2030.
“NSWIC is alarmed by this proposal and urges stakeholders across industries to understand the implications. Many stakeholders are not fully
informed about the proposed prices, leaving them at risk of being unprepared until it is too late,” Ms Miller said.
WaterNSW have today released their Pricing Proposal to IPART. There was an expectation for price increases, but 23% for High Security and 24% for General security is more than expected.
There is also a proposal to have 32% increase for licenced Environmental Water, which is also proposed to be 100% fixed.
There is proposed expenditure on fish passages ($108.8 million over five years or $21.8 million per annum) and cold water pollution ($47
million over five years or $9.4 million per annum) or $156 million over five years. These expenditures predominantly occur in
Macquarie, Namoi, Gwydir, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys. There are currently five fishways required in the Gwydir at an estimated
cost of $250m and cold water pollution at $74m. These are unlikely to be progressed far in the next five years despite having been
legislated many years ago.
The link to the nearly 200 pages is included.
This month’s focus is on Water Sharing Plans, what they are and why we need them. The presentation will cover how water sharing plans
are remade and outline which inland plans are due to be remade by 1 July, 2025 and how you can comment on the proposed
changes.
Speakers from the Water Group at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water include:
Peter Hyde, Director Inland Water Planning
Antonia Morrow, Senior Advisor, Water Engagement team
The GVIA support the original aims of a nationally compatible market, regulatory and planning based system of managing surface and
groundwater resources for rural and urban use that optimises economic, social and environmental outcomes. We note that the establishment of
water access entitlements (water rights) and planning arrangements to manage competing demands, are central to delivering these objectives.
The GVIA however are frustrated by the continued minimal open transparent engagement with all Australians now and during the
development stages of the draft principles included in the NWA. Additionally, we are concerned that 20 years of challenging water reform
across Australia has been disregarded. The National Water Initiative (NWI) was a foundation document that worked towards delivering a
balanced approach to water management across Australia. It has made significant progress to address overallocation with the Murray Darling
Basin (MDB) water take now well below Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDL). The NWA needs to move beyond over allocation acknowledging that
it is no longer the major challenge impacting the health of our rivers, and address means to optimise outcomes from water for
environmental, cultural, social and economic objectives.
The GVIA are concerned by the manner in which changes are being rushed through, and do not believe many of the principles are either
appropriate to be included in a National Water Agreement or are fit-for-purpose as they have not been appropriately analysed nor discussed
transparently with the state jurisdictions or those directly impacted by the principles.
We support the original aims of a nationally compatible market, regulatory and planning based system of managing surface and groundwater
resources for rural and urban use that optimises economic, social and environmental outcomes. We however are frustrated that the federal
department have released the discussion paper now. That there has been minimal open transparent engagement across all Australians now and
during the development stages of The Paper. Additionally, we are concerned that 20 years of challenging water reform across Australia has
been disregarded.
The organisation agrees that it is important to future proof the foundations of Australian water management and planning and address gaps
through modernising. As such we recommend that the DCCEEW modernise the existing National Water Initiative 2004 in line with recommendations
from the Productivity Commissions 2024 National Water Reform Interim report.
We do not agree that a re-write as signalled in the current discussion paper is necessary.
GVIA submission DCCEEW Draft 450GL Framework March 2024
The Water Amendment Act 2023 has made changes to the Water Act 2007 and the Basin Plan 2012. These amendments lifted the cap on
buybacks, changed the way the 450GL can be recovered and removed the initial objectives of the 450GL from the southern connected
system to the whole basin.
The original Murray Darling Basin Plan 2012 (the Plan) has achieved a significant amount, a fact the government should be actively
promoting.
Bridging the Gap is a crucial program aiming to achieve the valley based Sustainable Diversion Limit targets but there is concern that buy
backs continue to result in “incidental over recovery”. As a valley directly impacted by over recovery, the Gwydir can assure you that the
local community does not see the recovery of water over and above that required by the Basin Plan as “incidental”.
The GVIA appreciate that the extension of the timeframe for delivery was a practical step to push for the completion of the Plan. We are
disappointed that the principle of the Plan; a healthy working basin with optimised social, economic and environmental outcomes, has been
overshadowed by politics and that the focus is on volumes as opposed to the environmental outcomes, that include productive and resilient
water dependent industries and communities with confidence in their long-term future.
The Government must recognise that simply adding more water is not the solution. Complementary measures such as fish passage, and progress
on constraints measures as noted in 7.09 need to be implemented as they play an important role in water quality and the ability to get water
to areas in the southern basin.
Included is the NSW Irrigators Council September Newsletter. This includes commentary on;
Concerns raised by the Inspector-General for Water Compliance in an audit of DCCEEW, (federal) protocols to prevent insider trading on its
Bridging the Gap (BTG) water buyback.
The release of the latest round of water buybacks under Bridging the Gap, aimed at recovering water to meet Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) in the Condamine-Balonne and NSW Border Rivers.
The National Water Agreement which introducers a range of concerning proposals under the 302 principles that the federal government is trying to rush though before the next election.
The National Ag Rally - and the complete lack of consultation with farmers in areas which are critical to the sustainability of the industry
- our Chair Jim Cush joins the 1-2,000 at the front of parliament house.
The draft Regulation and negotiation guidelines outline the approach the NSW government will take when negotiating voluntary agreements with
landholders affected by future environmental water deliveries at higher flow levels, or under different regimes, than current operating
practice. It is proposed to apply to Murray-Darling Basin Plan initiatives, including the Gwydir Reconnecting Watercourse Country
Program.
The Department hosted two webinars, and held small group information sessions in the Gwydir:
The recording of the Webinar from the 23rd Sepember is available here
Submissions are due by the 24th November 2024. and can be completed either via the form available here
or email your form to admin.rrcp@dpie.nsw.gov.au (with
the subject line Landholder Negotiation Scheme Regulation).
Separate written submissions can also be emailed to admin.rrcp@dpie.nsw.gov.au (with
the subject line Landholder Negotiation Scheme Regulation), or mailed to:
Landholder Negotiation Scheme Regulation
Water Group
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Locked Bag 5022 Parramatta NSW 2124.
There are still a lot of our works approvals that are not compliant for FPH. If any members are having difficulties with their FPH
licencing, such as having two cells in a storage, or having issues with getting meters installed, please let us know.
The team at WaterNSW are providing support to others in this space, so if you need help send lou an email on gvia@gvia.org.au
The National Farmers Federation (NFF) is holding a farmer rally in Canberra to highlight the key issues impacting on Australian agriculture and its communities -- including the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. If you cannot make the rally NFF have a petition
going.
On the 17th September 2024 we will be holding the 2023-24 GVIA AGM.
This is when we reappoint our committee, if you would like to join the committee, please complete the attached form and return to me via email: gvia@gvia.org.au.
Please find the link to the NSWIC August newsletter. This provides information on some of the top issues challenges water users and communities across NSW.
The MDBA published the 2022-23
Sustainable Diversion Limit Accounts
on 2 August. It shows water use across the Basin was 23 per cent below the 2022-23 SDLs, continuing the pattern of chronic and
persistent water underuse since the 1994 Cap.
In NSW Basin valleys, water use was 16.6 per cent, or 1105 GL, under the state's SDLs for 2022-23. The Gwydir diverted 26%, or
214.5GL less than its 2022-23 SDL.
Several other valleys were also well under, including:
Barwon-Darling diverted 34 per cent, or 155 GL, less than its 2022-23 SDL.
NSW Murray diverted 25 per cent, or 342.6 GL, less than its 2022-23 SDL.
Macquarie-Castlereagh diverted 27 per cent, or 231 GL, less than its 2022-23 SDL
Since accounting began on 1 July 2019, water use across the Basin has consistently remained below the SDLs, accumulating a 5076 GL credit in
unused water
The Water Engagement Roundup is a live monthly webinar about all ongoing and upcoming engagements and consultation on important water
policy, reforms and programs for New South Wales, and includes a guest presentation topic each month. This month’s focus topic is a deep
dive into some of our work under the Hydrometric Networks and Remote Sensing Program, following with an open question and answer
session.
Speakers from the Water Group at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water include:
Mustak Shaikh, Principal Remote Sensing/Geospatial, Water Knowledge
Kilian Vos, Senior Remote Sensing Analyst, Water Knowledge
Antonia Morrow, Senior Advisor, Water Engagement team
The most recent NSWIC newsletter provides details of some of the challenges being faced by water entitlement holders across NSW. The
GVIA are working with NSWIC on the issues that will directly impact our region. Most critical at present is the Connectivity Panel
report. Over the next few weeks we will provide you more insight into how or what actions we can progress.
Moderate rainfall and constant river flows were experienced across the Gwydir catchment during 2023–24. Major flooding occurred across the
Gwydir River floodplain during March and April 2023.
Water managers used water for the environment during the 2023–24 water year to support fish communities in rivers and create connections to
the Barwon River, the Mallowa Creek, and low flows into the Gingham Watercourse to fill waterholes by season’s end.
In planning for 2024–25, water managers have applied:
a set of principles and triggers to guide the watering of key water-dependent assets
an adaptive approach to support fish and downstream ecological connectivity.
As of June 2024, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation outlook is neutral. That is, neither La Niña nor El Niño conditions are favoured as
oceanic and atmospheric indicators have returned to neutral levels. International climate models suggest neutral El Niño–Southern
Oscillation conditions will persist through the southern winter, but there are some signs that La Niña conditions could form later in the
2024–25 water year.
NRAR have recently released a flyer outlining requirements for Groundwater
meter reading without telemetry.
If you don't have telemetry please ensure that you submit a meter read by the 14th of every month. Thank you
WaterNSW has recently installed a new Hydrometric gauging station on Gurley creek at Tyrone road. This gauge will be able to provide river height data as soon as there is water in Gurley creek. There may be a delay in it's ability to provide accurate flow information.
On 4 July 2024, the Australian Government released the Framework for delivering the 450 GL of additional environmental water.
The Framework sets out how the government will recover 450 GL of water for enhanced environmental outcomes.
There are three programs:
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is hosting a 60 minute an online public webinar to provide an
update at 12:00pm (AEST) on 17 July 2024, including representatives from DCCEEW and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. More details and
resources can be found here: https://linktr.ee/dcceew_water
As we look at the new water year, I would like to ensure that we do what we can to be FPH compliant. The latest update from WaterNSW indicates that the Gwydir have just over 11% of works approvals able to take FPH if we get an opportunity. There are a further 42% on a pathway to compliance, this means that there is a registration started in the DQP portal for at least one storage in the work's approval. To be compliant all storages in the works approval need to have primary storage meters installed, or there needs to be an approved Point of
intake meter. We have been working to try to improve the regulations, but have made minimal progress, although there have been updates to
survey requirements and subdivision in Zone A and D. Please reach out to your DQP to progress the installation of these meters.
In the mean time if you have any questions please contact Lou in the Office on 02 67521 399
General security (GS) licences and the Environmental Water Allowance (EWA) in the Gwydir regulated river water source have received an allocation of 1% of their entitlement. Since the last assessment, rainfall has continued to elevate inflows above minimums and losses remain
lower than the budgeted volume resulting in the 1% allocation increment. Inflows into Copeton Dam in June were 18.1 gigalitre (GL) and
downstream tributary inflows added about another 3.0 GL to the system. Total essential supply demand was about 1 GL, and general security
usage was approximately 1 GL. There were no EWA orders in June. Water currently available to GS water users totals 469.7 GL, or an average
92% of entitlement. The Environmental Water Allowance (EWA) account balance is about 89 GL or about 199% full.
The program outlines the proposed strategic purchasing framework for the $100mill available to purchase aboriginal water. It will
be delivered under an interim governance arrangement. The Commonwealth will hold entitlements until an enduring governance mechanism is
designed. This governance mechanism will eventually take over the management of water entitlements acquired during the interim period. The Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will commence purchasing entitlements under an
interim governance structure that includes an Advisory Group and a Directorate composed of aboriginal People. The structure aims to ensure decision-making is culturally and commercially informed
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has published the What We Heard Report from recent consultation
on delivering the 450 GL.
The North West Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan was developed through consultation with a range of stakeholders. This plan
covers 10 established pest species such as deer, pigs and rabbits. The NSW Governments are looking for your input through a
survey or via a submission.
Read the North West Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan and
share your insights and feedback by completing the survey, answering the quick poll and/or uploading a submission by Monday 8
July 2024.
Please find included the May newsletter from NSW Irrigators Council. The newsletter provides updates on the Connectivity Panel Interim
report, the National Water reform, the federal budget and metering.
Expressions of interest open for the Murray–Darling Basin Community Committee
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is seeking expressions of interest from individuals to serve as members of the Basin Community
Committee (BCC). Established under the Water Act 2007, the BCC plays a vital role in advising the MDBA and the Murray–Darling Basin
Ministerial Council on issues relating to water management in one of Australia’s largest river systems. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew
McConville said members of this Committee will provide essential input to governments as full implementation of the Basin Plan progresses
and the Authority prepares for the 2026
Basin Plan Review.
“We need people with diverse views and experiences from right across the Basin to lend their voice on water and environmental management,”
Mr McConville said.
Up to 6 vacancies will be appointed by the Authority for this round. They will commence in April 2025 for up to 3 years, offering a
rewarding opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Basin-scale water management decision-making.
Nominations close 11:30 pm on Sunday 14 July 2024. Information is available from The MDBA Careers
page
The Moree AgTech Breakfast will be on Wednesday 19th June from 7:30 - 9:30am
Supported by UNE SRI and Cicada Innovations, the breakfast will delve into the future of agriculture, showcasing the power of technology
and innovation in transforming Moree's and Australia's agricultural landscape.
Panellists include Oscar Pearse (Director of NSW Farmers Association), Lachlan Elworthy (Agronomist McGregor Gourlay), Jack Rickers
(Hiringa Energy, green hydrogen), Sophie Venz (President of Young Aggies) facilitated by Brooke Sauer (owner & director of
IntellectAg). Following the TED-style talks will be interactive discussions, Q&A and breakfast.
Water NSW have offered to provide members an opportunity for a pricing session. This presentation will provide an overview of the revenue
cap and price cap options. This meeting is an opportunity for members to gain a better understanding of the proposals and to clarify or
answer any questions members might have. The meeting is scheduled between 1:30 and 2:00pm on Monday 3rd June 2024.
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General security (GS) licenses in the Gwydir regulated river water source have received a further allocation of 4% of entitlement. The Environmental Water Allowance (EWA) has similarly increased in accordance with the water sharing plan rule. Cumulative general security
allocation for 2023/24 has now reached 15% of entitlement.
Water currently available to GS water users totals 447.1 GL, or an average 88% of entitlement. The Environmental Water Allowance (EWA)
account balance is 87.6 GL or 195% full.
General security water users can expect full access to their carried over account water, but no new allocation will be announced on 1 July.
Floodplain Harvesting water access licence holders can expect a 100% allocation 1 July 2024.
Supplementary water access licence holders can expect a 100% allocation 1 July 2024. However, access to this water is subject to periods of declared supplementary flow.
Storage levels (as of 7 May 2024) • Copeton Dam is about 64% full – holding 878 gigalitres (GL).
Current indications are that, due to generally good water availability including modest levels of extraction and likely good river flows
associated with highly connected systems, all groundwater licence categories across all groundwater sources are likely to receive full or
near full allocation on 1 July 2024 for the water year 2024-25.
Business NSW are conducting a re-run of the Workplace Law Training for Business Zoom webinar this Friday 17th May at 10am. It is free to
register as a member of Moree Chamber of Commerce.
This is the 'blurb' to intro the webinar: Due to overwhelming popularity, we are excited to announce that we will run the Expert
Industrial Relations Guidance: Workplace Law Training for Business webinar again, in partnership with Australian Business Lawyers &
Advisors. Learn invaluable insights into the recent changes in workplace and industrial relations laws following the passing of the Closing
Loopholes Bills.
On the 1st and 3rd of May the NSW Government hosted two webinars on the Northern Connectivity Panel interim report.
The Recordings of both webinars are available online.
Throughout the webinars we attempted to gain some clarity as to the proposals, including how the recommendations were decided
upon. At this stage we have not received current data which would enable us to analysis the impacts.
As soon as we have an understanding of what this means for each of the various entitlement categories, we will let you know.
The NSW Irrigators Council April 2024 newsletter provides updates on issues important to irrigators across the state including;
The Connectivity Panel interim report
National Water Agreement
Water Market reform and
The Murray Darling Basin Update
Today the NSW Government released the Connectivity Panel Report for the Northern Basin. We are currently reviewing and analysing the
report.
The DCCEEW will be hosting two webinars on the report proposals to enable the panel to present their findings and recommendations and take
questions from stakeholders. . Webinars (please follow the links to register)
WaterNSW have made a Supplementary announcement below Boolooroo Weir, and finally also on the Gil Gil. Given the volume of water flowing in the northern part of the Valley we hope that there will be further announcements. They however are too late for many. This raises some real
concerns and the GVIA are working with NSWIC to try to get a more appropriate outcome going forward.
NRAR were on ABC Radio News this morning indicating that they will be monitoring FPH on the Gwydir and Northern Rivers. Please ensure that you have a compliant primary meter before accessing any FPH. NSW FPH Measurement Policy
The NSW Government have released their Non-urban metering what we hear report. The main issues raised were:
- Availability of DQP's
- Call for greater flexibility and
- Simplification
- Cost of compliance.
The report focuses primarily on the survey responses, but does acknowledge issues with need to ensure data system and equipment standards are "fit for purpose".
For FPH: "Just over half of submissions (n=15) received recommended that the floodplain harvesting measurement policy be reviewed to
ensure that it is practically effective, arguing that it is impractical and not currently fit-for-purpose." More details are available in the report.
Subject: Floodplain Harvesting – Water Supply Work Approval under the Water Management Act 2000.
DCCEEW have recently written to many members reminding you that you have a floodplain harvesting (FPH) work which cannot be included in your
FPH water supply work approval (WSWA) because:
1. they do not have a Flood Work approval from WaterNSW
and/or
2. they require permission to occupy from Council, Crown Lands, or privately owned lands.
You will need to obtained the appropriate approvals or licences (lawful occupation, flood work approval or compliant with the legislation).
You will then need to apply to WaterNSW to amend your WSWA to include these works.
Application forms and supporting documents are available on the WaterNSW website.
We would encourage members to action changes if needed as soon as possible.
NRAR have indicated that they will be commencing a floodplain harvesting compliance campaign in the Gwydir. Members with licences to
floodplain harvest can expect to receive a call from NRAR in the coming weeks.
NRAR will be checking on the progress you have been able to make with the installation of their equipment. This provides
you all an opportunity to express the issues associated with progressing towards compliance and share any evidence of
challenges, which may include issues with supply, installation or suitability to fit the policy to your operation.
NRAR issued the following media release today confirming the NSW Government has two sets of rules for irrigators with water users with
floodplain harvesting licences being treated inconsistently to all other water users - having no ability to nominate individual points of
take and alternative systems, when a primary measurement device is not yet operable. Thus confirming the NSW Government intends to undermine
the integrity of the process of issuing floodplain harvesting licences in the Gwydir Valley.
AUSPOS is free and provides fast and easy online post processing services. It is also widely used by surveyors. Landholders have the option
to have their surveys uploaded to the State Survey Control Information Management System (SCIMS). Benefits to uploading your survey data to
SCIMS includes making adjustments to benchmarks if they have moved, without having to resurvey, saving you money over time.
Public works will be delivering workshops for surveyors in late february. If you require further information or assistance, you can contact
the measurement team at: metering.reform@dpie.nsw.gov.au
The Regional Skills Relocation Grant assists regional NSW businesses in identified industries attract skilled and specialised employees
from NSW metropolitan areas, interstate or internationally, to regional NSW. Grant amount: Up to $12,500 Application closes: 15 December 2023
The Regional Skills Relocation Grant aims to:
support economic growth in regional NSW by supporting businesses and organisations to find and attract skilled workers to live and work in
regional NSW
fill regional job vacancies
increase the strength, diversity and size of regional economies.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Regional NSW.
