The River Murray Water Allocation Plan, commonly referred to as the River Murray WAP, is a legal document that sets out rules around how water can be taken and used from the River Murray in South Australia and is developed under the direction of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (formerly the Water Resources Act 1997).
The River Murray Water Allocation Plan provides information on:
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The capacity of the resource to meet demand;
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The water requirements to sustain water dependant ecosystems;
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The effect of River Murray water use in other regions outside of the prescribed area;
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How water will be allocated; Rules for how and where water can be transferred or traded;
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Water affecting activities that will require a permit to undertake the activity in question, and Monitoring requirements.
The River Murray Water Allocation Plan covers the Prescribed Watercourse of the River Murray from the Victorian Border and encompasses Lakes Alexandrina and Albert and portions of Currency Creek the Finniss River and the Angas and Bremer Rivers, as seen on the map link.
River Murray Prescribed Water Course Map (932kb)
The River Murray Prescribed Watercourse currently has a water allocation plan that was approved in 2002. The Natural Resources Management Act requires that water allocation plans are reviewed at least once every five years and if required, a new plan can be developed. A review of the current plan was undertaken in 2007, with the review highlighting the need for a new plan. See below for details of the Review.
A new draft Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse (draft plan) is being developed. The new draft plan will provide for the long-term management of the water resource. It does not address the current drought situation and short-term decisions on allocations. It is anticipated that the new plan will be finalised in 2010.
Concept Statement for new draft Water Allocation Plan
A Concept Statement sets out the proposed content of a draft Water Allocation Plan, the issues to be investigated and the consultation that will be undertaken in developing that draft plan. A Concept Statement does not explore the issues to be discussed in a draft water allocation plan in detail, nor does it attempt to provide any management options. This level of detail is contained in the draft plan, which will be discussed extensively with the community.
Download a copy of the Concept Statement and explanatory fact sheet here:
Written submissions on any proposed changes or comments relating to the Concept Statement can be provided to the Board at the address below. All written submissions received will be considered and the required changes made to the Concept Statement as a result of these submissions. Written submissions need to be received by October 31st 2008. Please send all written submissions to:
Bianca Lewis
South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board
PO Box 2343
Murray Bridge SA 5253
A number of public meetings will be held at various locations spanning the length of the River, providing all interested parties with the opportunity to hear more about the draft plan and the Concept Statement, to ask questions of the Board and to make comment on the proposed content of the Concept Statement. Public Meetings to discuss the Concept Statement will be held as follows:
Blanchetown
11th September 7pm – 9pm
Rural Transaction Centre,2 Shaw Street.
Murray Bridge
16th September 7pm – 9pm
Dundee’s Wildlife Park Conference Rooms, Jervois Road.
Berri
24th September 7pm – 9 pm
Berri Resort Conference Room, Riverview Drive.
Next Steps to develop a new draft Water Allocation Plan
Following the receipt of submissions on the Concept Statement, all the comments received will be reviewed and changes made as appropriate to the Concept Statement. The Board can then progress with developing the new draft plan. To do this, a series of information and discussion papers will be developed to highlight a range of topics relevant to the draft plan and provide the community with information to make informed decisions about its content.
Regular media and website updates will keep the community informed of where the Board is at in the process.
Current River Murray Water Allocation Plan
River Murray Water Allocation Plan (2Mb)
River Murray Water Allocation Plan Explanatory Guide (841kb)
River Murray Water Allocation Plan Review
The current River Murray Water Allocation Plan was adopted in 2002 by the then Minister John Hill. Under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (the Act under which the plan is developed) these plans must be reviewed at least once every five years. A review of the current plan was completed in June 2007, following a targeted consultation period, and has recommended that the current River Murray Water Allocation Plan be amended. This amendment will allow the plan to be revised to take in account updated technical information about the resource and its management and review the effectiveness of polices and principles within the plan.
River Murray Water Allocation Review (718kb)
More Information
This site will be updated with information on a regular basis. For further details about the River Murray Water Allocation Plan, please call Bianca Lewis, Senior Project Officer, River Murray Water Allocation Plan, on 08 8532 1432.