Draft Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi and Peel Unregulated Rivers Water Sources 2025 - Submission form

Page: 1 | 2 | 3

Introduction and privacy notice

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is seeking your comments on the draft Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated Rivers Water Sources 2025. 


Key issues and changes have been summarised in this submission form, although comment on all aspects of the water sharing plan is welcome. For water source specific details including rules, please see the water source report cards. More detailed comments are welcomed as attachments.  


A copy of your submission will be sent to your email address provided in the next section.


Enquiries and assistance: wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au


Please submit this form by: 13 December 2024

Privacy and confidentiality


The NSW Government will consider all submissions received. The Government values your input and accepts that information you provide may be private and personal.

If you want your submission or your personal details to be treated as confidential, please indicate this by ticking the relevant box below. If you do not make a request for confidentiality, the department may make your submission, including any personal details contained in the submission, available to the public.

Be aware that the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water may be required by law to release copies of submissions to third parties in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.


Your details












Submission details

Changes to Access Rules

Changes are proposed to the access rules in the Macdonald River Downstream Woolbrook Management Zone of the Mid Macdonald River Water Source, the Halls Creek Management Zone and the Macdonald and Namoi Rivers Management Zone of the Upper Namoi River Water Source, and the Dungowan Creek Management Zone of the Upper Peel Tributaries Water Source. 


It is proposed to introduce a:


  • 15 ML/day cease to pump volume at the Macdonald River at Retreat gauge (419028) for licence holders located in the Macdonald River Downstream Woolbrook Management Zone of the Mid Macdonald River Water Source.
  • 2 ML/day cease to pump volume at the Halls Creek at Ukolan gauge (419029) for surface and groundwater alluvial access licence holders in the Halls Creek Management Zone of the Upper Namoi River Water Source.

NOTE: This proposed change also effects the taking of water under an aquifer access licence in the Halls Creek Alluvial Management Zone in the Manilla Alluvial Groundwater Source in accordance with Section 38 of the Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi Alluvial Groundwater Sources 2020.

  • 1 ML/day at the North Cuerindi gauge (419005) AND no visible flow over the weir crest at Manilla Weir for licence holders located in the Macdonald and Namoi Rivers Management Zone of the Upper Namoi River Water Source. 

NOTE: This proposed change also effects the taking of water under an aquifer access licence in the Namoi Unregulated River Alluvial Management Zone in the Manilla Alluvial Groundwater Source in accordance with Section 38 of the Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi Alluvial Groundwater Sources 2020.

  • 2 ML/day at the Upstream Dungowan gauge (419103) for licence holders downstream of the Thortons Road bridge within the Dungowan Creek Management Zone of the Upper Peel Tributaries Water Source.



Changes to trading rules

It is proposed to limit trading into the Pian Creek Tributaries Management Zone, within the Pian Creek Water Source, to current entitlement; that is ‘No Net Gain’. This means trade out must occur before an entitlement can be traded in. 


The current trade rules between trading zones and management zones within all other water sources within the water sharing plan area remains unchanged.




Protecting replenishment flows 

It is proposed to include rules which protect replenishment flows delivered from the Water Sharing Plan for the Upper and Lower Namoi Regulated River Water Sources 2016 to the Pian Creek Water Source from unregulated licensed extraction. 


Replenishment flows are reserved for basic land rights (BLR) and licenced Stock and Domestic access.



Protection for Gulligal and Wee Waa Lagoons

It is proposed to apply a no drawdown below full supply rule (100% full supply capacity) to Gulligal and Wee Waa Lagoons. 


Existing licence holder will be given the opportunity during public exhibition to make a submission to retain access until the pool drops below 80% capacity, the current rule. Submissions will be considered on a case by case basis. When no submission s made the default no drawdown rules will apply.




Protection of WSP Prescribed Wetlands

It is proposed to prohibit new or amended works or trades:

  • within a WSP prescribed wetland displayed on a map  
  • 3 km upstream or within a Ramsar wetland, 

Unless there will be no more than minimal harm to the wetland concerned. 


This rule does not apply to replacement works.



Carry over for domestic and stock licences and local water utility access licences


It is proposed to allow carry over for domestic and stock access licences and local water utility access licences in the Namoi Unregulated Water Sources. 



Additional feedback

The previous sections relate to the key proposed changes from the current water sharing plan. However, comments on all aspects of the plan are welcome and encouraged. Please use the space below, or attachments if required or preferred.



Additional information 

If you would like to provide any additional information in the form of supporting documents or files to help us understand your view, email wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au from the same email you provided above referencing the Namoi and Peel Unregulated River WSP.

All submissions with approval for publication will be posted on the department's website after the public exhibition period closes along with the final review reports.