The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment today announced a temporary water restriction for the Upper Lachlan groundwater management zone 1 in the Upper Lachlan Alluvial Groundwater Source.
The temporary water restriction is required to address a severe decline in groundwater levels in the management zone in order to prevent irreversible damage to the aquifer and protect groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Licensed water users who draw from this management zone are restricted to 0.3ML per unit share of their access licence. Trading of water is restricted to ensure that no more than 0.3ML per unit share is extracted within the management zone.
The restrictions on both water take and trade are designed to decrease demand sufficiently to allow the aquifer to recharge above the critical threshold.
These restrictions will remain in force up to and including 1 July 2021, unless that date is amended or the order is repealed before that date.
