| Temporary restriction notice | Access Licence Dealing Principles (Interstate Assignments) Order 2023 |
|---|---|
| Licences affected | Water access licence holders in NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Murrumbidgee regulated river water sources |
| Date restriction started | 1 July 2023 |
| Date restriction ends | 31 August 2023 |
| Status | Expired |
Reason for decision
Background
High storage levels have persisted within the NSW Murray and Lower Darling, and Murrumbidgee regulated rivers water sources. Now, coming into the southern ‘wet’ season there remains a high chance there will be insufficient NSW airspace to safely accommodate trade water until at least 31 August.
A temporary trade restriction was imposed from August to December 2022 and then extended to 31 March 2023 due to high risk of spill from storages.
The water sharing plan prohibits interstate trade in May and June each year, as late season trade can adversely impact state resources, so normally trade resumes 1 July.
However, should NSW accept allocation trades from interstate into the NSW Murray and Lower Darling, and Murrumbidgee regulated rivers water sources currently, while Hume Dam remains at risk of spilling, NSW entitlement holders may be adversely impacted. The physical water transferred to match the trades could spill leaving NSW with an increased liability to deliver trade water, but no matching resource. The loss would affect (be socialised across) all NSW Murray water users.
Future allocations may also be eroded if trade volumes from interstate continue to accrue under these circumstances, as undelivered trade water prevents additional water (storage inflows) being captured and allocated to NSW water users.