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Where increased development is causing stress on water resources and a higher level of management is warranted, the water resources can be prescribed under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.
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 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 24: Surface and groundwater supplies in the western Mount Lofty Ranges, including those used for agricultural production, will be brought under a more sustainable management regime.
Completion date: 2015
Lead agency: Department of Water, land & Biodiversity Conservation |
Reports, progress and links:
The water resources of the Western Mount Lofty Ranges were prescribed in October 2005. A water allocation plan for the region is now being developed with an expected completion date of December 2008.
For more information please visit the DWLBC website and the Adelaide and Mount Loft Ranges Natural Resources Management Board website.
A fact sheet on prescription can be downloaded here.
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