Existing Planning and Policy
Identifying the existing legislation and policy that controls or affects water management is part of the process of defining the management setting in a catchment. The existing administrative, policy and management environment can provide opportunities or constraints to implementing conjunctive water management and can involve agencies at three levels of government in Australia, as well as non-government organisations.
Depending on the policy instruments or on-ground works envisaged, this can cover aspects of:
- water allocation and licensing;
- catchment management and targets;
- water pollution and water quality protection;
- environmental impact statements;
- building and development applications;
- regional planning and development;
- drainage and flood mitigation;
- protection of public health; and
- occupational Health and Safety.
Therefore, having an overview of the existing administrative arrangements that relate to water management and use in a catchment is needed to ensure that for any conjunctive water management options there is:
- alignment with the water reform agenda. Inconsistencies or impediments in existing water policy can also be highlighted;
- recognition of any potential conflict with policy across other sectors. For example, recharge enhancement for water banking may be in conflict with existing strategies for minimising recharge for salinity control;
- identified efficiencies in terms of water savings relative to the defined sustainable yields for the catchment water resources, and that these can be implemented within the existing water management and planning framework;
- satisfactory compliance with existing requirements in terms of protection of water quality, public health or environmental assets;
- appropriate development consents for any on-ground works; and
- analysis of whether future water requirements and priorities for the catchment are met.
The Lower Richmond catchment can be used as an example of the level of complexity in water management with the interplay of multiple government agencies and policies as well as the involvement of non-government bodies such as industry groups, Landcare groups, and environmental organisations. Water management in the catchment spans water allocation, ecosystem requirements, contamination, acidity and flooding. This means there is a wide range of stakeholders, with Table 1 providing a summary of the key participants. Some of these stakeholders focus on a particular issue relating to water management mandated by legislation, while others such as community groups are representative of key water users. The table is by no means exhaustive, for example the organisations involved in research (such as Southern Cross University , the Australian National University and the Bureau of Rural Sciences) are not listed.
| Jurisdiction | Agency | Role | Policy Documents and Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | National Water Commission | Drive national water reform and assist jurisdictions to implement reforms | Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative, 2004 |
| Australia | Wetland Care Australia | Not-for-profit organisation undertakes active wetland repair projects across regional Australia | |
| NSW | NSW Department of Natural Resources | Natural resource management and managing access to water resources | Water Management Act, 2000 and amendment 2004 State Water Management Outcomes Plan, 2002 |
| NSW | NSW Department of Planning | Facilitate development of infrastructure to deliver efficient and secure energy and water services | State Environmental Planning Policies Regional Environment Plans |
| NSW | NSW Department of Environment and Conservation | Manage the protection, restoration and enhancement of the quality of the environment | Protection of the Environment Act, 1991 |
| NSW | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service | Develop and maintain the parks and reserve system, and conserve natural and cultural heritage | Forestry and National Park Estate Act, 1998 |
| NSW | NSW Department of Primary Industries | Foster profitable and sustainable development of primary industries, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mining | Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act, 1994 Fisheries Management Act, 1994 |
| NSW | NSW Department of Health | Develop standards for water quality | |
| NSW | State Water | Bulk water storage and delivery | State Water Corporation Act, 2004 |
| NSW | Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal | Price regulation and performance monitoring | Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act, 1992 |
| NSW | Department of Public Works and Services | Design and construction of services and infrastructure, including sewage and water | |
| NSW | Aboriginal Land Council | Statutory authority responsible for protecting and promoting the rights and interests of the Indigenous people of NSW. | Aboriginal Land Rights Act, 1983 |
| NSW | NSW Farmers Association | Voluntary industry body representative of the whole farming community in NSW | |
| NSW | Oyster Farmers Association of NSW | Industry body representing NSW oyster farmers and processors | |
| North Coast Region, NSW | Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority | Prepare, implement, monitor and provide information on catchment action plans | Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 |
| Richmond River catchment, NSW | Richmond River County Council | Floodplain management, management of flood control and drainage infrastructure, water quality monitoring | |
| Richmond River catchment, NSW | Richmond River Cane Growers Association | Representative body for the cane growers in the Richmond River catchment | |
| Ballina-Lismore area, NSW | Rous Water | Regional water authority proving bulk water | |
| Ballina area, NSW | Ballina Shire Council | Land use zoning, development consent, stormwater management and control, sewerage and septic works | |
| Lismore area, NSW | Lismore City Council | Land use zoning, development consent, stormwater management and control, sewerage and septic works | |
| Tuckean Swamp, NSW | Tuckean Landcare Group | Community based catchment restoration activities | |
| Alstonville area, NSW | Marom Creek Landcare Group | Community based catchment restoration activities |