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Water resources can be prescribed under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 when:
- Increased development is causing stress on water resources
- There is a risk the resource may not meet future demand
- A higher level of management is warranted.
Prescription is a means of protecting water resources in the region and will ensure they are not over used and that there is enough water for all water users, including the environment.
A decision to prescribe a resource is made only after a consulting with the community and investigating the economic, social and environmental implications of prescription on the region.
Once a water resource is prescribed, most people who take water from that prescribed resource will need a licence to do so. The only exception is that stock and domestic use can be exempted from the licensing requirements.
The SA Government has issued a Notice of Prohibition on the use of water from wells, watercourses and surface water of the Western Mount Lofty Ranges. This means that no further development of groundwater or surface resources in the region will take place until the SA Government has decided whether or not to proceed with prescription.
Meeting the Challenge
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Strategy 5: Surface and groundwater supplies in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges (including the sections of the Gawler, Torrens and Onkaparinga rivers which cross the Adelaide Plains) have been placed under a Notice of Intent to Prescribe and a Notice of Prohibition. If prescription goes ahead they will be brought into a regime providing: sustainable management and use of water:
- A means to balance the needs of all users, including mains water users, primary production, stock and domestic supplies and water dependent ecosystems;
- Protection of sources of Adelaide’s domestic water supply and reduction of our reliance on the River Murray in the longer term;
- More secure access rights to water users (which is also an asset to users);
- Potential for tradeable water licences;
- Water to support and sustain dependent ecosystems; and
- Environmental flows downstream of reservoirs to improve water quality in urban watercourses.
Completion date: 2010
Lead agency: Department of Water, Land & Biodiversity Conservation and Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board |
Reports, progress and links:
The water resources of the Western Mount Lofty Ranges were prescribed on 20 October 2005. The prescription includes groundwater (bores/wells) surface water (such as dams), and watercourses. A water allocation plan for the region is now being developed by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board in consultation with the community, with an expected completion date of December 2008. The water allocation plan will guide the allocation, transfer and management of water in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges.
The process of water allocation planning is time and resource intensive, involving significant discussions and consultation with the community, technical investigations and other work. However, this is vital to ensure the best outcome for all water users and the environment. For information on the process involved and progress towards developing the Water Allocation Plan, please visit the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan weblink. On 7 October 2005, Premier Mike Rann announced a $51.3m funding program for sustainable management of water resources in the Mount Lofty Ranges, jointly funded by the South Australian Government, Australian Government and industry. Information about the program is available here.
Water Proofing Adelaide recognises the need for water for the environment. In 2006 an environmental flow trial commenced between the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, and SA Water Corporation – the project was awarded a commendation from the Civic Trust. Unfortunately, the trial, which are for sections of the South Para River, River Torrens and the Onkaparinga River, has subsequently been disrupted due to the ongoing drought conditions. |