The draft Gwydir, Namoi and Peel Unregulated Rivers water sharing plans are now on public display, and the NSW Government is inviting the community to have its say.
The draft plan sets out clear rules for fair and sustainable water sharing among water users and the environment across the region for the next decade.
That includes setting limits on how much water can be taken, protecting resources for the environment, basic landholder rights and cultural needs and providing secure, legal, and tradeable water access rights.
It also sets out how much, where and when water can be taken by licence holders.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water are inviting the community to read the draft plans and make a submission before the public exhibition period ends on 13 December.
NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Water Planning Giselle Howard said water sharing plans are vital tools for managing our state’s water resources, and the Gwydir Unregulated River and Namoi and Peel Unregulated River water sharing plan is no exception.
“We want to hear your feedback on the draft now so we can continue to manage the region’s water fairly and sustainably over the next 10 years.
“We want a plan that works well for the entire region, which means continuing to protect basic landholder rights, cultural needs and water for the environment, as well as setting limits on how much water can be taken to help ensure our rivers, aquifers and waterways remain healthy and resilient for the next generations.
“This is about making sure everyone gets their fair share while also protecting the long-term health of our water resources and the vibrant ecosystems that rely on them.”
The draft uses the latest data and includes proposed changes to simplify the plan, make it clearer and easier for water users to understand and comply with requirements. In some areas, there are proposed changes to water access and trading rules. Other changes include additional protections for specific wetlands in the region, including the Gulligal and Wee Waa Lagoons.
The Department are holding a webinar on Monday, 18 November from 10.30am to 11.30am in regards to the Namoi and Peel, and on for the Gwydir,
Face-to-face drop-in sessions and webinars are also being held where the community can learn more, ask questions and provide feedback.
Gwydir
- Webinar – Tuesday, 19 November from 12pm to 1pm
- Drop in Session – Wednesday 27 November in Bingara from 10am to 12pm.
Namoi – Peel
- Webinar – Monday, 18 November from 10.30am to 11.30am
- Drop in Session – Tuesday 26 November in Manilla from 10am to 12 pm, and Dungowan from 2pm to 4pm
Online one-on-one sessions with a water planner are also available in the week commencing 11 November.
DCCEEW will carefully consider all feedback before finalising the plan ahead of it going into effect on 1 July 2025.
Plans are in place for 10 years and are audited after the first five years to ensure they are working effectively and appropriately.
To register for a session and make a submission, visit:
- Gwydir – https://water.nsw.gov.au/gwydir-water-sharing-plan
- Namoi-Peel – https://water.nsw.gov.au/namoi-peel-unregulated-water-sharing-plan
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