The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (the Act) requires the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board (the Board) to prepare a water allocation plan (WAP) for each of the prescribed water resources in its area. A WAP is a statutory instrument that will be used for various purposes in the administration of the Act; in particular, to guide the granting of licenses to take water and the transfer of a license and/or water allocation.

Water is a precious resource and there is a limit to how much is available for our use. As such, it is important to provide certainty to current and future users of water, particularly to those whose livelihoods depend on it.

A Water Allocation Plan provides that certainty.

WAP's give consideration to environmental water requirements, economic development as well as being able to identify areas where development will strain existing resources.

The Plan aims to strike a balance to ensure that the allocation of the area’s water resources is done fairly taking into account the needs of all water users and the environment. This involves placing limits on how much water can be taken from each groundwater aquifer and river systems.

On completion of the WAP, allocations will be determined for the use of each groundwater aquifer and river system. These allocations will be determined using scientific means taking into account available water supplies. In setting the allocations, the community and peak industry and consumer groups will be consulted to ensure that allocations are fair and equitable. Allocations will define the overall limits (caps) on consumptive use.

Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges prescribed water resource area (PWRA) Mallee prescribed well allocation (PWA) Marne Saunders prescribed water resources (PWR) Noora prescribed well area (PWA) Peake Roby and Sherlock prescribed wells area (PWA) River Murray prescribed water course (PWC)