bellinger river water sharing plan community presentation...stephen allen, nsw department of...
TRANSCRIPT
Stephen Allen, NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment
10 & 11 March 2020
Bellinger River Water Sharing Plan
Introduction to water sharing & current rules
Bellinger plan • Overview of water sharing
• Sharing of daily flows
• Water trading
• Current plan
• Current access rules
• Current trade rules
NSW Water Management Act 2000 requires development of water sharing plans for all NSW rivers and groundwater.
Water sharing plans are statutory regulations – law.
Plans define rules that govern shares of water between the environment, basic landholder rights, and licensed take.
Many of the rules are implemented through conditions on water supply works approvals and water access licences.
For coastal unregulated rivers such as the Bellinger River, shares are established through
• long term limits on amount of water that may be taken from the river,
• daily cease and commence to take rules,
• rules governing applications for new water licences,
• rules governing water supply works, in-river dams for instance, and
• rules governing buying and selling of licences and allocations.
Plans have a 10 year term and may be extended for 2 years.
The NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) reviews plans and makes recommendations to the Minister as to either remake or extend the
plan.
The NRC reviewed the water sharing plan for the Bellinger River in 2018 and recommended that the plan be remade.
Introduction to water sharing
River flows and daily access rules
Flow percentile Flows (ML/day)
Very low flows
Medium flows
(B class)
100th%ile
95th%ile
80th%ile
50th%ile
0
1
6
33
High flows
(C class)
Low flows
(A class)
Percentile: percent of all observations at a river flow gauge at or above a specified flow volume
Cease-to-take/commence-to-take
Total daily extraction limits
Trade of licence shares
• A licence authorises the licencee to shares in a water source.• Shares are specified in ML (eg 10 ML) or units (eg 10 units). • Licence shares may be bought and sold. • Trade of shares within a water source is usually permitted. • Trade between water sources is subject to rules. • Rules may include prohibition, no net gain, or permitted to a limit. • Rules based on an assessment of economic & environmental values
of the water source.
The Bellinger River water sharing plan commenced in 2008, to be remade by 1 July
2020.
The area of the plan includes the hydrological catchments of Bellinger River and Kalang
River to the mangrove limit.
The waters covered by the current plan include all surface waters of the plan area &
alluvial groundwater above the tidal limit.
The plan is divided into extraction management units, water sources, and management
zones.
Current Bellinger River water sharing plan
Current Bellinger River water sharing plan
Current access rules – cease to take
Gauge # 205002 Bellinger River at Thora – current plan
Water source Very low flow class A class B class
Thora-North Arm Bellinger River Flows 16 ML/d (95th%ile) Flow 16 ML/d Na
Bellinger River Flows 16 ML/d 16 ML/d flows 95 ML/d
(50th %tile)
Flows 95 ML/d
Boggy Creek Flows 16 ML/d Flows 16 ML/d Na
Coastal Bellinger (tidal only) Flows 16 ML/d 16 ML/d flows 95 ML/d Flows 95 ML/d
Rosewood Creek Flows 16 ML/d Flows 16 ML/d Na
Gauge # 20501008 Kalang River at Sunny Corner Road (staff gauge)
Coastal Kalang (tidal pool) Flow 4 ML/d (98th %ile) Flows > 4 ML/d Na.
Kalang (tidal & non tidal) Flow 4 ML/d (98th %ile) Flows > 4 ML/d Na.
Gauge # 20501005 Hydes Creek at Kethels Road (staff gauge)
Hydes Creek (tidal & non tidal) Flow 1 ML/d (95th %ile) Flows > 1 ML/d Na
Current trade rules
Water Source Adopted rule
Bellinger River
(tidal and non tidal)
Non tidal: trade in permitted up to an additional 54 ML Tidal: trade in
permitted subject to a limit to be determined
Boggy Creek Trade in permitted up to an additional 50 ML
Coastal Bellinger
(non tidal)Trade in permitted up to an additional 14 ML.
Coastal Bellinger (tidal) Trade in permitted limit to be determined.
Coastal Kalang (non tidal) Trade in permitted up to an additional 88 ML
Coastal Kalang (tidal) Trade in permitted limit to be determined.
Dalhousie Creek Prohibited
Hydes Creek (tidal and non-tidal) Non tidal: no net gain in trade. Tidal: trade in permitted subject to a limit to be
determined.
Kalang River (tidal and non-tidal) Non tidal: permitted from Spicketts Creek WS only. Tidal: trade in permitted
subject to a limit to be determined.
Never Never Creek Prohibited
Rosewood Creek Prohibited
Spicketts Creek Permitted from Kalang River (Non tidal) only
Thora – North Arm Bellinger (Upper & Lower) Prohibited
Other (outstanding) rules
Current plan proposes a number of rule amendments following further investigations during the term of the plan.
The current plan allows applications for Aboriginal community development licences when B class (medium) flows are
established.
The current plan allows applications to convert to high flow licences following development of B class flows in Never Never
Creek and Hydes Creek water sources.
The current plan does not establish rules relating to in river dams – not reflecting current policy on in river dams.
The current plan foreshadows trade rules for the tidal pool management zones following development of a cap on the quantum
that may be traded in; a limit on trades into these management zones was not determined during the term of the plan.
Stephen Allen, NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment
10 & 11 March 2020
Questions
Changes proposed to rules of current
Bellinger River plan
• Natural Resources Commission recommendations
• Coastal floodplain alluvial groundater
• Cease to take rules
• Trade rules – tidal zones
• Water supply work rules – in-river dams, works in SEPP
wetlands
• Aboriginal licences and high flow licences
Department’s Response
1. Agree, water sharing plan to be replaced.
2. Agree, objectives, strategies, performance indicators reviewed and
updated.
3. Agree, apply the new framework for metering water take.
4. Still considering a position on this recommendation due to significant
consequences if adopted.
5. Guidelines reflected in estimates. Long term climate projections have
not been included in the estimates.
6. Draft rule changes increase opportunities to apply for Aboriginal
licences.
7. Draft rule changes include new flow reference points and access rules
referenced to the new gauges.
8. Plans not to be consolidated at this stage due to time constraints and
lack of groundwater assessments.
NRC Recommendations
1. Replace the Plan.
2. Clarify objectives, revise monitoring, evaluation, reporting.
3. Apply new framework for metering water take.
4. Monitor long term extraction limit and assess environmental
sustainability of the limit.
5. Apply best method to estimate stock & domestic take, include
climate data and reasonable use guidelines.
6. Investigate barriers to uptake of Aboriginal licences, amend
Plan as appropriate to address barriers.
7. Review flow reference points and access rules to determine if
other gauging sites may improve outcomes.
8. Assess whether to merge Bellinger and Coffs Harbour plans
based on economic, environmental and social impacts.
Recommendations of NSW NRC
DRAFT MAP
Water shares coastal floodplain alluvial groundwater
Climate
projection
Groundwater shares Dry Explanation
Rainfall (mm) 1459 Dry extreme projects 8 percent reduction in rainfall 2020 -2039
Recharge (ML/year) 4200Total recharge for the oastal alluvial water source based on
infiltration factor of 10 %
Sustainability factor 0.25Based on risk assessment considering social, economic and
environmental considerations - 25% of recharge available for take
Planned environmental water (ML/year) 3150 75 % of recharge protected as planned environmental water
Upper extraction limit (ML/year) 1050 Recharge less planned environmental water
LTAAEL 350 Current entitlements + estimated future requirements + 10 % buffer
Current entitlements (licence & BLR) (ML) 160 Current total licensed volumes plus estimated basic landholder rights
Unassigned water (LTAAEL) (ML/year) 190 LTAAEL less current entitlements
Water available through a controlled allocation
(ML)152 80% of unassigned water available for a controlled allocation
Propose to adopt water shares under dry climate projection.
Proposed changes to cease to take rules - water sources
with staff gauges
Water SourceCurrent flow
reference point
Current very low flow
class
Proposed flow
reference point
Proposed very low flow
class
Coastal Kalang
(tidal)
Gauge # 20501008
Kalang River at Sunny
Corner (staff gauge)
Flow 4 ML/d (98th %ile) Gauge # 205016
Bellinger River at
Fosters
Flow 43 ML/d (98th %ile)
Change of reference gauge from a staff gauge to a new telemetered gauge, and retain flow
percentile.
Kalang River (tidal
& non tidal)
Gauge # 20501008
Kalang River at Sunny
Corner (staff gauge)
Flow 4 ML/d (98th %ile) Gauge # 205016
Bellinger River at
Fosters
Flow 43 ML/d (98th %ile)
Change of reference gauge from a staff gauge to a new telemetered gauge, and retain flow
percentile.
Hydes Creek (tidal
& non tidal)
Gauge # 20501005
Hydes Creek at Kethels
Road (staff gauge)
Flow 1 ML/d (95th %ile) Gauge # 205016
Bellinger River at
Fosters
Flow 56 ML/d (95th %ile)
Change of reference gauge from a staff gauge to a new telemetered gauge, retain flow percentile.
Proposed changes to cease to take rule – water sources
with updated telemetered gauge
Water Source Current flow reference point Current very low flow class Proposed flow reference point Proposed very low flow class
Bellinger River
Gauge # 205002 Bellinger River at
ThoraFlows 16 ML/d (95%tile)
Gauge # 205016 Bellinger River at
FostersFlows 56 ML/d (95th%ile)
Change in reference gauge from Thora to Fosters. Updated flow data
Boggy Creek
Gauge # 205002 Bellinger River at
ThoraFlows 16 ML/d (95%tile)
Gauge # 205016 Bellinger River at
FostersFlows 56 ML/d (95th%ile)
Change in reference gauge from Thora to Fosters. Updated flow data
Coastal Bellinger
(tidal)
Gauge # 205002 Bellinger River at
ThoraFlows 16 ML/d (95%tile)
Gauge # 205016 Bellinger River at
FostersFlows 56 ML/d (95th%ile)
Change in reference gauge from Thora to Fosters. Updated flow data
Rosewood Creek
Gauge # 205002 Bellinger River at
ThoraFlows 16 ML/d (95%tile)
Gauge # 205019 Never Never
Creek at Old Road Flows 4 ML/d (90th %ile)
Change in reference gauge from Thora to Never Never Creek. Updated flow data
Never Never CreekPoint of take Visible flow at point of take
Gauge # 205019 Never Never
Creek at Old Road Flows 4 ML/d (90th %ile)
Change in reference from visible flow to Never Never Creek. Updated flow data
Proposed changes to cease to take rules – water sources
with updated flow data
Water SourceCurrent flow
reference point
Current very low
flow class
Proposed flow
reference point
Proposed very
low flow class
Thora North
Arm Bellinger
River
Gauge # 205002
Bellinger River at
Thora
Flows 16 ML/d
(95th%ile)
Gauge # 205002
Bellinger River at
Thora
Flows 20 ML/d
(95th%ile)
No changes to reference point proposed. Updated flow data and retain flow
percentile.
Commence to take rule
All water
sources
Propose that all water sources with access rules referenced to a telemetered
gauge to include a 24 hour commence to take rule.
Take of water may recommence 24 hours after flows have risen above very low
flow class.
Proposed changes to trade rules – tidal management
zones only
Water Source/ Management Zone Trade rule proposed
Bellinger River Tidal Management Zone Trade in permitted up to an additional 54 ML for the entire Bellinger River Water Source
Coastal Bellinger River Tidal Management
ZoneTrade in permitted up to an additional 14 ML for the entire Coastal Bellinger River Water Source
Coastal Kalang Tidal Management Zone Trade in permitted up to an additional 88ML for the entire Coastal Kalang Water Source
Hydes Creek Tidal Management Zone No net gain in trade for the entire Hydes Creek Water Source
Kalang River Tidal Management Zone Trade in permitted only from Spicketts Creek Water Source
Dalhousie Creek Prohibited due to take of water posing high risk to impacting low and zero flows
Rules proposed for water supply works - in-river dams
Water Source Rule proposed for new in-river dams
Thora-North Arm
Bellinger
Prohibited on 3rd order and higher order streams due to
assessed high instream values
Rosewood Creek Prohibited on 3rd order and higher order streams due to
assessed high instream values
Never Never Creek Prohibited on 3rd order and higher order streams due to
assessed high instream values
Kalang River Prohibited on 3rd order and higher streams due to assessed
high instream values
Spicketts Creek &
Dalhousie Creek
Prohibited on all streams due to high risk of take of water
impacting on low and no flows.
Rules proposed for water supply works in SEPP wetlands
Water Source Rule proposed for new water supply works
Coastal Kalang Water
Source
Water supply works shall not be approved where they have
more than minimal impact on SEPP (Coastal Management)
2018 wetlands.
Coastal Bellinger Water
Source
Water supply works shall not be approved where they have
more than minimal impact on SEPP (Coastal Management)
2018 wetlands.
The Bellinger River
Coastal Floodplain
Alluvial Water Source
Water supply works shall not be approved where they have
more than minimal impact on SEPP (Coastal Management)
2018 wetlands.
SEPP (Coastal Management) 2018 wetlands
Aboriginal community development licences
Water Source Rule
Bellinger River A total of 500 unit shares of Aboriginal community development access licence may be applied for.
Boggy Creek A total of 91.5 unit shares of Aboriginal community development access licences may be applied for.
Coastal Bellinger A total of 500 unit shares of Aboriginal community development access licences may be applied for.
Coastal Kalang A total of 500 unit shares of Aboriginal community development access licences may be applied for.
Hydes Creek A total of 183 unit shares of Aboriginal community development access licences may be applied for.
Spicketts Creek Applications not permitted due to absence of gauge.
DPIE is presently arranging meetings with First Nations to discuss water sharing.
Conversions to high flow licences
Water Source Rule
Hydes Creek A total 250 unit shares may be converted to high flow access licences .
Never Never Creek A total 723 unit shares may be converted to high flow access licences.
Bellingen Shire Council - Local Water Utility
• Currently hold 1 local water utility licence of 1300 ML in Bellinger River Water Source – taking alluvial groundwater, with a number of conditions governing
take.
• Draft plan proposes the following in relation to local water utilities:
• objective: to maintain and, where possible, improve access to water for town water supply and water quality within target ranges, cl. 13(2)(a) and (d),
• strategy: provide water access for town water supply and manage construction and use of water supply works to minimise impacts on groundwater
quality and town water supply 13(3)(a) and (f).
• Draft plan proposes to establish water requirements for local water utility licences at 1300ML per year in the Bellinger River Water Source.
• Available water determinations normally 100% for local water utilities on coastal unregulated rivers.
• Daily cease and commence to pump rules do not apply to local water utility licences listed in Table B Schedule 7, unless major augmentation occurs where
upon the licence may be removed from Schedule 7.
• Local water utility and town water supply licences cannot be traded.
• Water allocations may be traded subject to an approved IWCM strategy and the dealing would not risk supply.
• Water Management Act 2000: section 66(3) - at end of each 5 year period, Minister is to vary each local water utility licence to reflect any variation in
population, associated commercial activities.
• Water Management Act 2000 section 66(4) on the application of a local water utility, Minister may increase licence entitlement to reflect rapid growth of
population requiring an immediate increase in the availability of water.
Stephen Allen, NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment
10 & 11 March 2020
Questions
Impact of changes to cease to take rule – updated
telemetered gauge
Flow reference point 205002 Bellinger River at Thora 205016 Bellinger River Fosters
Very low flow class Flows 16 ML/d Flows 56 ML/d
Period of record 31/07/2007 - 19/11/2019 31/07/2007 – 19/11/2019
No. of observations 4494 (12 years) 4494 (12 years)
Frequency 2 (1 every 6 years) 4 (1 every 3 years)
Duration of very low
flow class
Total Maximum Mean Total Maximum Mean
22 19 11 62 20 10
Duration (days) Freq. Total Max. Freq. Total Max.
October 0 0 0 1 2 2
November 2 22 19 3 51 20
December 0 0 0 1 4 4
January 0 0 0 1 5 5
Impact of changes to cease to take rule – updated
telemetered gauge
Flow reference point 205002 Bellinger River at Thora 205019 Never Never Creek
Very low flow class Flows 16 ML/d Flows 4 ML/d
Period of record 14/07/2011-19/11/2019 14/07/2011 – 19/11/2019
No. of observations 3050 (8 years) 3050 (8 years)
Frequency 2 (1 every 4 years) 2 (1 every 4 years)
DurationTotal Maximum Mean Total Maximum Mean
30 24 15 14 8 7
Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Groundwater Source
NARCliM Climate projections
Groundwater shares Current Dry Wet Mean
Rainfall (mm) 1586 1459 1760 1665
Recharge (ML/year) 4500 4200 5000 4800
Sustainability factor 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Planned environmental water
(ML/year)3375 3150 3750 3600
Upper extraction limit (ML/year) 1125 1050 1250 1200
LTAAEL 350 350 350 350
Current entitlements (licence & BLR)
(ML) 160 160 160 160
Unassigned water (LTAAEL)
(ML/year)190 190 190 190
Water available through a controlled
allocation (ML)152 152 152 152
Propose to adopt water shares under dry climate projection.
WATER SOURCE WATER MANAGEMENT ZONE CATEGORYTOTAL SHARES
(ML) TOTAL NUMBERS
BELLINGER RIVER WATER SOURCE 2271.25 37
Non Tidal Management Zone DOMESTIC AND STOCK 18 6
Non Tidal Management Zone UNREGULATED RIVER 883.25 29
N/A AQUIFER 70 1
N/A LOCAL WATER UTILITY
(AQUIFER)1300 1
BELLINGER COASTAL FLOODPLAIN ALLUVIAL WATER
SOURCE131 5
N/A AQUIFER 131 5
BOGGY CREEK WATER SOURCE 20 4
N/A DOMESTIC AND STOCK 4 1
N/A UNREGULATED RIVER 16 3
COASTAL BELLINGER WATER SOURCE 127 6
Non Tidal Management Zone UNREGULATED RIVER 122 5
AQUIFER 5 1
COASTAL KALANG WATER SOURCE 77 5
Non Tidal Management Zone UNREGULATED RIVER 77 5
DALHOUSIE CREEK WATER SOURCE 191 2
Non Tidal Management Zone DOMESTIC AND STOCK 26 1
Non Tidal Management Zone UNREGULATED RIVER 165 1
HYDES CREEK WATER SOURCE 459 8
Non Tidal Management Zone DOMESTIC AND STOCK 1 1
Non Tidal Management Zone UNREGULATED RIVER 338 6
AQUIFER 120 1
KALANG RIVER WATER SOURCE 21 3
Non Tidal Management Zone UNREGULATED RIVER 18 2
N/A AQUIFER 3 1
NEVER NEVER CREEK WATER SOURCE 421 19
N/A DOMESTIC AND STOCK 12 4
N/A UNREGULATED RIVER 409 15
ROSEWOOD CREEK WATER SOURCE 11 3
N/A UNREGULATED RIVER 11 3
SPICKETTS CREEK WATER SOURCE 7 1
N/A UNREGULATED RIVER 7 1
THORA - NORTH ARM BELLINGER WATER SOURCE 212 28
Lower Thora North Arm Management Zone DOMESTIC AND STOCK 43 7
Lower Thora North Arm Management Zone UNREGULATED RIVER 159 20
Lower Thora North Arm Management Zone AQUIFER 10 1
TOTAL 3948 121