Feedback sought on Darling groundwater resource plan

NSW Deputy Secretary Water Jim Bentley today announced the draft Water Resource Plan for the Darling Alluvium groundwater areas has been placed on public exhibition for community feedback.

“This water resource plan is a key requirement of the Commonwealth’s Murray Darling Basin Plan.

“It outlines how the Upper and Lower Darling, Warrego and Paroo alluvial groundwater will be shared sustainably into the future.

“Darling groundwater users and the community are invited to submit any feedback on the draft plan online, and also to attend consultations on the plan in Pooncarie on 31 July or in Bourke on 6 August,” Mr Bentley said.

The NSW Government has spent the past two years developing draft water resource plans and updating state water sharing plans while seeking community feedback along the way.

Eleven draft water resource plans have been released for public exhibition by NSW since late 2018. This is one of the nine remaining draft plans being released for public exhibition over the coming months.

“The NSW Government is committed to improved management of our state’s critical water resources to service the needs of our communities and agriculture sector,” Mr Bentley said.

“We also need to make sure we have a much stronger focus on the implementation of water resource plans.

“I am ensuring we have sufficient skilled resources to lead plan delivery and ongoing review.”

Learn more about the draft Darling Alluvium Water Resource Plan and how you can have your say.

Consultation sessions will be held at the following locations:

  • Pooncarie: Wednesday, 31 July 2019, 11.45am – 1.45pm, Pooncarie Hall, Tarcoola St.
  • Bourke: Tuesday, 6 August 2019, 9.30am – 12.00pm, Diggers on the Darling, 23-25 Sturt Street.

/Public Release. View in full here.