Strategic priority 1
Our groundwater resources and dependent ecosystems are protected to support current and future uses.
Action 1.1. Refresh, consolidate and expand our groundwater policy framework
To ensure that groundwater management in NSW is sustainable, our groundwater policy framework needs to be more adaptive in response to challenges such as climate change, increasing urban development and land use change. The framework needs to be responsive to new information about our groundwater resources and dependent ecosystems and evolve as awareness of Aboriginal people’s rights to and interests in water and the importance of sustainable groundwater management for future generations increases.
Key actions
| 1.1. | Refresh, consolidate and expand our groundwater policy framework To continue to manage our groundwater resources sustainably into the future we will review, update, consolidate and expand our groundwater policy and planning framework. |
Action 1.2. Improve protection of groundwater dependent ecosystems and baseflows to streams
Developing a framework for the protection of important GDEs and groundwater baseflows to streams must be a core priority to facilitate sustainable groundwater management in NSW. Additional mapping, monitoring, information and knowledge will provide a better understanding for the different types of GDEs that exist in NSW, their ecological importance and location and the groundwater characteristics they need to persist and thrive. Adaptive management approaches will be considered so we can respond to new information and situations as they arise.
Key actions
| 1.2.1 | Review and update our methods and processes for protecting groundwater dependent ecosystems and baseflows
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| 1.2.2 | Deliver a program to improve our understanding of groundwater dependent ecosystems We will:
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Action 1.3. Review and update approaches to sustainable groundwater extraction
As our understanding of groundwater resources and dependent ecosystems improves, we can better quantify groundwater volumes, aquifer boundaries and their connectivity with ecosystems and other water sources. The NSW Government has already begun researching and assessing different methods to better inform the definition of groundwater source extraction limits in NSW. Any new methods we adopt will incorporate the most up-to-date hydrogeological, ecological, and socio-economic information and consider the most recent groundwater risk assessments, as well as new climate change data.
There are 54 groundwater sources in NSW that are fully committed, meaning that if each entitlement share were assigned a value of one megalitre (ML), the sum of the entitlement shares plus unlicensed rights to take groundwater meet or exceed the groundwater source extraction limit. If underused entitlements are activated, corrective action may be required to keep total use within the groundwater source extraction limit. This may have financial implications for those that are currently using their full entitlement. As the use of groundwater increases, a coordinated and planned approach is needed to manage this issue.
As we improve our knowledge of the requirements of groundwater dependent ecosystems, surface water–groundwater connectivity, water quality and the links between groundwater extraction and acid sulphate soils or aquifer compaction, we can also refine rules to manage localised impacts on groundwater levels.
Key actions
| 1.3.1 | Review groundwater source extraction limits using new knowledge We will design and implement an updated and adaptive approach to review extraction limits at the groundwater-source scale that better considers climate change and improved understanding of resource sustainability. |
| 1.3.2 | Improve clarity around management of fully committed groundwater sources where the entitlement ‘share value’ is low We will develop and implement an approach that provides improved clarity to water users on the management of fully committed groundwater sources where the entitlement ‘share value’ is low. |
| 1.3.3 | Better manage impacts of extraction at a local level We will:
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Action 1.4. Protect groundwater quality within natural limits
Maintaining groundwater at its highest possible quality means that it is usable for the widest range of purposes. The best approach is to prevent groundwater quality degradation in the first place, as remediating polluted or contaminated groundwater is difficult and costly and (even if possible) may take years or decades.
This action focuses on prevention, early detection, intervention and timely management of activities that could threaten the quality of our groundwater resources, especially in aquifers we know are vulnerable to pollution. It also considers the impacts of climate change and sea-water intrusion on coastal aquifers.
Better groundwater quality monitoring is essential to the success of this action. A collaborative effort will be needed across government agencies and with industry, underpinned by new and updated policy instruments that apply the best available knowledge and science.
Key actions
| 1.4.1 | Review and update our approach to managing groundwater quality We will:
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| 1.4.2 | Deliver a program to better understand groundwater quality and risks
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Action 1.5. Better integrate groundwater management with other land and water management processes
Integrating groundwater, surface water and land use management will improve our ability to respond effectively to the challenges facing groundwater resources to ensure that these resources are not compromised and remain available for future generations.
We will move to a framework where land use planning processes and major project approvals better consider and protect groundwater sources and their dependent ecosystem functions early in the planning phase.
We will also adopt a more targeted approach to reducing the impacts on aquifers from large infrastructure projects and industrial activities, recognising that while the current regulatory framework is largely effective, there are regulatory and policy gaps that need to be addressed.
NSW shares several groundwater sources with our neighbouring states and territories, including the Great Artesian Basin, and cross-border cooperation will be critical to sustainably managing and protecting our shared groundwater resources.
Key actions
| 1.5.1 | Manage groundwater and surface water together We will:
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| 1.5.2 | Integrate groundwater considerations into land use planning decisions
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| 1.5.3 | Improve management of large developments impacting groundwater
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| 1.5.4 | Strengthen management of shared groundwater resources
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Strategic priority 2
Through sustainable groundwater use, water dependent aspirations of Aboriginal people are supported, water resilience for urban populations is improved and development opportunities are realised.
Action 2.1. Support Aboriginal people’s rights, values and uses of groundwater
The NSW Government recognises First Nations people’s rights to water. Our aim is to secure a future where water for Aboriginal people is embedded within the water planning and management regime in NSW to help deliver cultural, spiritual, social, environmental and economic benefit to communities.
We will partner with Aboriginal people to co-design a state-wide Aboriginal Water Strategy that will identify a program of measures to deliver on First Nations’ water rights and interests in water management. We will provide support and opportunities for Aboriginal people to share their knowledge and contribute to groundwater planning and management policies.
We will also take action to identify, recognise, and protect groundwater-dependent sites and cultural values of significance to Aboriginal people.
Key actions
| 2.1.1 | Protect groundwater-dependent places of significance to Aboriginal communities We will develop a program to identify and enhance protection of groundwater-dependent cultural sites and values in a culturally appropriate way. |
| 2.1.2 | Better integrate Aboriginal knowledge into groundwater management We will:
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| 2.1.3 | Increase access to groundwater for Aboriginal people
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Action 2.2. Support towns and cities that use groundwater to improve their urban water planning
All water extraction and use must be managed within a larger framework of sustainability, including support towns and industries in NSW. To maintain water supply security towns and cities need to protect their existing groundwater access, diversify their sources of water and plan for their future water needs.
The state government is working in partnership with councils and the broader water sector to provide regional communities across NSW with safe, secure and sustainable water supply and sewerage services.
Key actions
| 2.2.1 | Support improved management of urban groundwater supplies We will:
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| 2.2.2 | Enable efficient and timely integration of groundwater supply options to help growing regional towns and cities, particularly during drought
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Action 2.3. Support resilient groundwater dependent industries in NSW
Groundwater can support new business ventures and economic growth in the decades to come. However, access to groundwater needs to be managed sustainably. To ensure that regional development is viable, resilient and sustainable – especially under a changing climate – current and future regional planning initiatives will need to understand the groundwater-related opportunities and constraints early in the planning and development process.
Better planning will secure sustainable access to groundwater for industry, and support regional development and economic growth within sustainable limits. Adopting a whole-of-government approach can ensure that clear information about groundwater and its licensing and management framework is available to prospective industries so that both the resource and any new industries are sustainable in the long term.
Technology and innovation can be applied to support communities and industries to improve their access to groundwater, use and store it more efficiently and become more resilient. There are also significant opportunities to use ‘green infrastructure’ – such as managed aquifer recharge – to deliver groundwater management solutions that have community and environmental benefits.
Key actions
| 2.3.1 | Provide better information to communities and industries on groundwater development constraints and opportunities We will:
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| 2.3.2 | Enable the increase of sustainable groundwater use in targeted areas
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| 2.3.3 | Foster innovative groundwater solutions, including managed aquifer recharge, to support communities and industries
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Strategic priority 3
Better groundwater management and investment decisions are made based on improved information and knowledge.
Action 3.1. Develop the groundwater components of a water knowledge plan
Robust decision-making by government and non- government stakeholders needs to be supported by quality information. With better information and knowledge, the risks to our groundwater and the value it provides decrease. Information and knowledge products such as models must be underpinned by good and accessible data, with systems and management systems that enable its efficient use.
The NSW Government will work closely with the community to understand what they need to know about their groundwater resources and the best approach to building our collective understanding.
Key actions
| 3.1 | Develop the groundwater components of a water knowledge plan The groundwater knowledge plan will target and prioritise information and knowledge to inform Strategic Priorities 1 and 2, including:
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Action 3.2. Better share and integrate groundwater information
While we have made considerable advances in sharing water data, more can be done to integrate groundwater information into existing platforms, improve how we communicate groundwater information and distribute information products as widely and openly as possible.
Once groundwater data is collected, integrating and sharing it between government agencies and with the public can be challenging because different agencies use separate systems and databases to record and store data. We will improve our communication by collating and hosting previously unreleased datasets, including industry-collected data, in a groundwater specific data repository.
Key actions
| 3.2 | Better share and integrate groundwater information To improve access to relevant and accurate groundwater information and data, and consistent with the groundwater knowledge plan, we will:
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Action 3.3. Improve our understanding of groundwater resources
Effective management of groundwater requires evidence from both natural and socio-economic sciences. We need to expand our capabilities in multidisciplinary understanding of groundwater, including integrating Aboriginal knowledge into management approaches. We also need to continue to develop new datasets and models that better capture the range of possible climate scenarios.
Enhancing our research into groundwater resources and applying this research to improve groundwater management into the future has been identified within this strategy as a priority for NSW. With a strong foundation of public and private sector water research, NSW is well placed to become a leader in groundwater science.
Key actions
| 3.3.1 | Expand our multi-disciplinary understanding of groundwater We will:
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| 3.3.2 | Improve our groundwater models where required
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| 3.3.2 | Increase our capacity and capability to apply leading groundwater science
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Action 3.4. Expand and target our groundwater data collection
If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. The state-wide network for groundwater monitoring requires regular re-evaluation and maintenance to ensure we are measuring the right things to make decisions about groundwater.
Once groundwater data is collected, integrated and shared it between government agencies and with the public can be challenging because of separate databases that store data and user agreements. Industry-collected data needs to be confirmed accurate and input to existing databases, industry data is collected form State Significant Developments and major infrastructure projects.
Key actions
| 3.4.1 | Improve our groundwater monitoring infrastructure We will:
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| 3.4.2 | Improve our groundwater monitoring programs We will:
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