Release of final 2020 Northern Basin first-flush report
The independent panel assessing the management of the 2020 Northern Basin first-flush event released its final report on 7 September.
The NSW Government asked the panel to complete the assessment after water take from rivers and floodplains was restricted. The restrictions aimed to manage flows across the NSW Northern Basin rivers following rainfall across NSW and Queensland in early 2020. This was the first time water restrictions were put in place for such a large area or for such a complex event.
The panel found that the restrictions led to significant flows downstream. This meant much-needed water reached the environment and communities in the Northern Basin.
The panel made 10 recommendations to improve the way we manage future events. They include improving how we communicate temporary water restrictions, using better modelling and real-time-monitoring capabilities, and ensuring we manage the first flush to connect water sources.
NSW is committed to improving the way we manage water across the state; we will consider all 10 recommendations and how we can carry them out.
We will keep working with stakeholders to ensure our water management balances the needs of communities, industry and the environment.
General security allocations are now available in all regulated river valleys except the Peel and the Belubula. In many areas, the allocations are not large. However, for the Macquarie, Lachlan and Lower Namoi valleys, these are the first new general security allocations in three years.
The map above shows the improved drought stages. Only the Peel, Lower Namoi and Belubula river valleys are still in the severe water shortage stage. More information is available on our drought update webpage.
The department has also prepared more information on the principles we use to allocate water in regulated river systems. This information includes an explanation of the restrictions that may apply when there are water shortages.
Now that higher water flows are returning after a long dry period, there is a risk that a blackwater event may occur. This is because during drought, sticks, leaves, bark and grass can build up along riverbanks and floodplains. When flows return, these materials wash into the river, where they start to decompose. This turns the water black but also means oxygen levels drop suddenly and can kill fish and other aquatic species.
We are monitoring the situation to manage the risk. It is likely that blackwater events may occur in the Murray and Murrumbidgee valleys this spring. Water can sometimes be released to provide some refuge areas for fish, but the volumes required to dilute blackwater are generally too large.
You can read more about blackwater events on our website.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing briefs Senate committee
The Hon. Melinda Pavey, NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing, appeared before the Senate Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan on 23 September.
The minister briefed the committee on transparency measures put in place in NSW, as well as on some of the progress and challenges of implementing the Basin Plan.
Have your say: draft Water Management (General) Amendment (Miscellaneous) Regulation 2020
The NSW Government is asking for your feedback on proposed changes to the Water Management (General) Amendment (Miscellaneous) Regulation 2020. The changes are to improve the consistency and transparency of water take information and reporting.
The proposed changes will affect licensed water users who fall under NSW’s non-urban metering rules and:
use a single pump, bore or other work to take both licensed water and unlicensed water, such as under basic landholder rights or another licence exemption or
must have a meter but not telemetry and choose not to use telemetry.
If the government makes these changes, they will come into effect in line with the existing rollout dates for the non-urban metering rules. These dates are:
1 December 2020 for all surface water pumps 500 mm and above for all of NSW
1 December 2021 for remaining works in the northern inland
1 December 2022 for remaining works in the southern inland
1 December 2023 for remaining works in coastal NSW.
We are developing an online reporting portal to make it easier for water users to report their water take.
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has recruited 30 new officers to be based in regional towns. These officers are part of a new program to triple property inspections over the next year.
These are jobs for regional NSW, with more than a quarter of them filled by people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The new officers in Dubbo, Deniliquin and Tamworth will get three weeks of intensive training before hitting the roads on 18 October.
The routine monitoring pilot program will help NRAR build a stronger understanding of rates of compliance with water laws in the Murray–Darling Basin.
Officers will check that water take is lawful, that people are using pumps and bores as approved, and that water take is appropriately monitored. They will also help water users comply with rules by handing out educational materials.
Draft Regional Water Strategies go on public exhibition in September
The Lachlan, Gwydir and Macquarie–Castlereagh draft regional water strategies went on public exhibition from September 25 for seven weeks.
The regional water strategies team has been consulting with councils, joint organisations and Aboriginal communities to develop the draft strategies. The team is now seeking feedback on the strategies from the wider community.
Secure, reliable and resilient water sources are critical to support growth in regional NSW. These draft strategies aim to help manage the water needs of NSW over the next 20 years. The tailored solutions have been developed using the best available climate evidence and a range of tools.
For more information, including dates for region-specific webinars, visit our website.
Two more floodplain management plans in place
The NSW Government is preparing floodplain management plans to help transfer water management from the provisions of the Water Act 1912 to those of the Water Management Act 2000.
Floodplain management plans for the Border Rivers and Lower Namoi valley began on 14 September 2020. These are the fourth and fifth of six plans prepared as part of reforming floodplain management for the northern valleys of the NSW Murray–Darling Basin.
We drew on community input to prepare the plans. Stakeholders provided feedback during public exhibition of the plans in 2017 for Lower Namoi and in 2018 for Border Rivers.
Floodplain management plans provide the framework for coordinating flood works for a whole valley and are based on current practices. The plans outline the types of flood works that the government may consider for approval. They include the advertising requirements for works to be approved and standards for acceptable impacts of the construction of flood works.
The Australian Government’s Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program provides funding for the NSW Healthy Floodplains project as part of carrying out the Murray–Darling Basin Plan in NSW.
Please visit our website to learn more about the floodplain management plan program.
Statutory review of the Water NSW Act 2014
The department is completing a five-year statutory review of the Water NSW Act 2014. The review will help assess whether the Act is effective and enables WaterNSW to deliver water efficiently and safely.
WaterNSW was created to bring together expertise on water quality, bulk water asset management and catchment management. This was to improve the quality and efficiency of water services. It also aimed to improve NSW’s ability to anticipate, plan for and react to water-quality issues and environmental concerns, such as droughts and floods.
The review will include consulting with government and non-government stakeholders and the public. Submissions close on 30 September 2020. A report on the submissions will be tabled in parliament in November 2020. We will update you on the outcome and next steps.
The review may also contribute to the development of broader reforms in the water sector. These reforms seek to improve our strategic planning and delivery of infrastructure as well as lift our operational performance. These works include developing a NSW state water strategy.
Water News is our monthly update on water planning, management and reform in NSW. If you have any questions or feedback contact us at: c NSW Government – Water Relations Phone +61 2 9338 6600 water.relations@dpie.nsw.gov.au
