Notification of groundwater works in Pioneer Valley
30 October 2009
Land owners accessing groundwater other than for stock and domestic purposes in previously unregulated areas of the Pioneer Valley must now notify the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).
Central West Regional Services Director Joe Pappalardo said recent changes to the Pioneer Valley Water Resource Plan meant landholders must advise the department of any unlicensed groundwater works and associated water use in the areas generally north of the Pioneer River and Cattle Creek, and near Blacks Creek and Black Waterhole Creek. This only applies to landholders who take water for purposes other than stock and domestic use.
“This is an important step in the water resource planning activities underway in the Pioneer Valley,” Mr Pappalardo said.
“Gathering accurate information on the interception and take of groundwater is a vital step towards sustainably managing the water resources of the Pioneer Valley.
“It is necessary to manage groundwater throughout the entire water resource plan area to protect the security of all water users’ entitlements.”
Land owners in these areas with groundwater works should complete a notice-of-works form which must be returned by 6 January 2010.
A guideline document is also available to assist land owners in completing the forms.
Information collected from landholders during the notification period will be used to grant water licences to authorise the continued take of groundwater.
“Once the owner notifies the department, they may continue to use the works to take groundwater until they can be granted a water licence.”
Mr Pappalardo said departmental staff will be available throughout the notification period to answer queries from land owners about the notification process.
Further information about the groundwater works in the Pioneer Valley Water Resource Plan Amendment area is available online or by phoning 49670967.
Media enquiries: Megan Lutz, Senior Communications and Client Liaison Officer on 4938 4373 or email.
Last updated: 30 October 2009