THE NSW Department of Primary Industries Water (DPI Water) has announced the release of additional groundwater allocations in 42 groundwater sources across the State.

DPI Water deputy director general Gavin Hanlon said the process created exciting new opportunities in those areas where water was being released to the market.

“The first tender process for this unassigned groundwater commences on 8 May 2017, and spans a range of groundwater sources across the State, including some coastal areas covered by recently made water sharing plans,” Mr Hanlon said.

“Releasing this unassigned groundwater through a tender process will enable its productive use, promote business opportunities and job creation, as well as helping to achieve economic growth particularly in regional NSW.

“This is a unique opportunity to secure new or additional water and supports DPI’s commitment to boosting growth in the primary industries sector. People who want to register an interest in purchasing a licence must do so by Tuesday 6 June 2017.”

A new Strategy for the Controlled Allocation of Groundwater has also been developed. This strategy guides the release of water so that licences are only being made available in groundwater sources that are not fully committed.

This controlled allocation will run for over three years where after the first registration of interest period, further registrations will be opened annually for any water still available.

Most water sources in NSW are fully committed and water can only be obtained through the water trading market.

In water sources with unassigned water however, a controlled allocation order under the Water Management Act 2000 can make new water access licences available.

Registrations of interest are open from Monday 8 May 2017 and close on Tuesday 6 June 2017.

Successful participants can choose to either apply for their aquifer access licence immediately, or enter a contract to defer their licence application for up to three years.

Further information on controlled allocation and how to register interest can be found at www.water.nsw.gov.au

Source: NSW DPI