Water Allocation Plans
Water allocation plans can be declared for one or multiple water sources, surface or groundwater.
They provide a blueprint for future sustainability by establishing a framework to share water between human and environmental needs. They are developed through detailed technical and scientific assessment as well as extensive community consultation to determine the right balance between competing requirements for water.
Water Allocation plans are declared under the Water Act. They detail the area and water resource to which the plan applies as well as the vision, objectives, strategies and performance indicators of the plan.
Also included in these plans are:
- the basis for water allocation planning, climatic variability and methods for making available water determinations;
- rules for the assessment of licences to take water assigned to various beneficial uses;
- limits to the availability of water;
- rules to enable water licences to be adjusted during times of severe climate variability;
- rules for managing licences to take water assigned to various beneficial use;
- rules for water trading;
- mandatory conditions for licences and permits issued under the Water Act; and
- monitoring programs to evaluate the performance of the plan and to inform a review.
When finalised, a water allocation plan has a maximum life of ten years and a maximum review period of five years. The review will draw on past experience and knowledge coupled with the outcomes of the monitoring program to establish how the plan may change and evolve to meet the needs of the future.
Through stakeholder involvement, long term resource management approaches will be coordinated.
