The Bingara and Moree communities will soon have their say on a draft Gwydir water resource plan at meetings held by the Department of Industry.
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The NSW Government has launched the Gwydir Surface Water Resource Plan for public exhibition from Thursday, October 18.
The Gwydir plan is the second of 20 draft water resource plans currently being finalised in NSW.
Community meetings regarding the draft plan will be held from 3.30-5.30pm on Wednesday, October 31 at the Bingara Returned Serviceman’s Club, 46 Finch Street, Bingara and from 4-6pm on Thursday, November 1 at the Moree Services Club, Albert Street, Moree.
The Department of Industry water executive director Rachel Connell said the draft water resource plans are an essential component of NSW’s commitment to the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
“Draft water resource plans have been developed via a comprehensive process including community feedback on a status and issues paper, targeted consultation with water user groups and the Gwydir Surface Water Stakeholder Advisory Panel,” Ms Connell said.
“Consultation is an essential part of developing and finalising these plans, and we urge Gwydir water users and other stakeholders to review and provide feedback to the draft.”
Water resource plans are a Basin Plan requirement to set out how much water can be taken from the system, how much water will be made available to the environment, and how water quality standards can be met.
Water resource plans include sections of water sharing plans developed by the Department of Industry and long-term watering plans developed by the Office of Environment and Heritage.
The draft Gwydir water resource plan covers surface water sources in the Gywdir Valley in North West NSW including the Gwydir River, Mehi River and Carole Creek.
“These draft plans reflect current NSW water sharing plan arrangements that are working and include new arrangements that strengthen water management at a local level,” said Ms Connell.
The proposed water resource plans and water sharing plans will be on exhibition until November 29 and can be found on the Department of Industry website.
