Namoi Surface Water Resource Plan

Commonwealth accreditation

All NSW Water Resource Plans (WRPs) were submitted in 2020 to the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to assess the plan against accreditation requirements of the Basin Plan 2012. Where plans have been submitted (and not withdrawn), a copy of the submitted Plan and the schedules and appendices is available on the MDBA website. The MDBA is progressing its assessment of NSW WRPs and notifying NSW on the outcome of this assessment. Where further work is required to address accreditation requirements, NSW WRPs are being withdrawn and will be resubmitted. At the time of withdrawal, the submitted documents are removed from the MDBA website. Refer to the Water Resource Plans–status: Water in New South Wales page for the status of each plan.

Changes made to the draft plan based on feedback from public consultation and the MDBA’s preliminary advice is provided in the summary of changes (PDF, 285.66 KB) fact sheet.

What area does the plan cover?

The Namoi Surface Water Resource Plan covers all surface water resources of the Namoi and Peel valleys. It includes the regulated river systems, unregulated rivers flowing into the regulated river systems, unregulated effluent creeks flowing out of the regulated river system on the plains, and water captured through farm dams and floodplain water harvesting. Upper Namoi Regulated River Water Source is that between the banks of all rivers, from Split Rock Dam water storage downstream to Keepit Dam water storage. The Lower Namoi Regulated River Water Source all rivers, from Keepit Dam water storage downstream to the junction of the Namoi River with the Barwon River. The Namoi Unregulated Water Sources are the water sources within the Namoi Water Management Area. The Peel Regulated River Water Source includes the Peel River, from Chaffey Dam water storage, downstream to the intersection of the Peel River and Namoi River.

Public exhibition

The draft Water Resource Plan, and proposed changes to the existing Water Sharing Plans, were on public exhibition from 26 September 2019 to 20 November 2019. All submissions received during this period have been reviewed by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

The public exhibition period provided valuable feedback that helped develop and inform proposed changes to the Water Sharing Plans and Water Resource Plan. Public information sessions were held at Tamworth, Narrabri, Gunnedah and Wee Waa in October and November 2019.

The following respondents agreed to have their submissions published on this website. Note that not all respondents elected to have their submissions published.

For information on other programs in the department for the Namoi follow this below links.

• Floodplain harvesting policy changes

Water sharing plans

The progress of changes to the water sharing plans as part of the water resource plan development can be found below.

The Natural Resource Commission's review

The Natural resource Commission’s review of the Water Sharing Plan for the Peel Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvium and Fractured Rock water sources 2010 has been completed.

The Peel Regulated water sharing plan has been amended and extended until June 2022.

The department will consider the remaining Commission’s review recommendations for the Peel Valley over the next two years. If further changes are required for the water sharing plans consultation on the changes will occur.