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Best Practice Guideline 9 - Groundwater Use
Introduction
The aim of this guideline is to outline what groundwater is, what groundwater dependant ecosystems are and the process and approvals required for someone to access groundwater.
In a very general sense, groundwater is water contained below the lands surface in spaces between rocks and soil in a saturated zone. Before groundwater can be extracted, the characteristics of the groundwater aquifer must be fully understood to ensure protection and sustainability of this resource and its dependent ecosystems.
The extraction of groundwater, such as by local councils or residents, and changes in land use and management due to development and landscaping can threaten the groundwater resource and its dependent ecosystems. If the amount of groundwater available is reduced due to over-use and drought, or there are changes in the quality of the groundwater due to changed land use, the ecosystems dependent upon this groundwater may come under threat.
Groundwater dependent ecosystems may include land and water based plants, animals and other organisms. Groundwater dependant ecosystems in Pittwater Estuary and its catchment include Estuarine and near shore marine ecosystems, base flow in streams, wetlands, and terrestrial vegetation and fauna.
What do you need to do
Landholders considering accessing groundwater in New South Wales must obtain the relevant approval or licence from the Department of Water and Energy before any drilling or bore construction takes place. If you are in an area covered by a water sharing plan for a groundwater source, then the Water Management Act 2000 requires you to obtain water supply works approval to construct a bore, well or spear point, water access licence to access the water. In all other areas, that is, those still covered by the Water Act 1912, you must obtain a Groundwater Licence. Regulations and licences also apply to bore drillers who must be licensed in the state or territory in which they intend to operate.
The NSW Government has published a rapid assessment methodology for determining the existence and value of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems, prior to activities to access and utilise groundwater systems. The basic steps include:
- Identify the geographical area
- List Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems present
- Assess the vulnerability of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
- Assess the value of the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
- List the management tools to be used to protect the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
- Prioritise and implement the management actions
- Review the outcomes and effectiveness of the management actions taken
Legislation
- Fisheries Management Act, 1994 – protects mangroves and saltmarsh
- Threatened Species Conservation Act – protects saltmarsh as an endangered ecological community
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Water Management Act, 2000; Water Act, 1912
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