News
MDBA Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap
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."
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Template to help with Wetland submissions
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.
NSWIC Media on WaterNSW Pricing
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.
NSWIC Newsletter
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.
MDBA Sustainable Diversion Limit Account 2022-23
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
NSWIC July Newsletter
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.
- Buybacks begin
- Cumulative threats to water access
- Northern Basin Connectivity Expert Panel report
- Coastal metering
- Fish passage news update
- Upper Murrumbidgee River Health Strategy
- Coastal Sustainable Extraction Project
Gwydir environmental water priorities 24–25
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. Read More
New meter on Gurley Creek
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.
Read More
Water allocation Statement 30 June 2024
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.
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Aboriginal Water Entitlement Program
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
Read More