Science to support water sharing planning in New South Wales

Water Sharing Plans (WSPs) have been developed for most of the regulated rivers and some ground water systems in New South Wales and 'Macro' WSPs are currently being developed for most of the remaining water resources of the state. Case studies for four contrasting individual plans are presented: the Murrumbidgee River (regulated surface water dominated by irrigation demand); the Coxs River (surface and groundwater with uses that include mining, electricity generation and supply for metropolitan Sydney); Lower Murray groundwater (consumptive use and over-allocation) and Toorumbee Creek (high conservation value with proposed irrigation demand). The design of Macro WSPs and the progress with the first plan for the Lower North Coast is described. In April 2006 the National Water Commission published concerns about the New South Wales Water Reform progress and proposed conditions under which the withheld competition payment of 13 million dollars could be recouped. Concerns include the rigour of underpinning ecological science and the transparency of the process to stakeholders. The case studies describe how science has been used in the planning process so far and how improvements are being incorporated into Macro Water Sharing Planning.