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All Current and Past Media Releases
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Media Release - Department of Water and Energy Date: 8 September 2009 RESTRICTION ON GROUNDWATER PUMPING IN MAULES CREEK ALLUVIUM UPSTREAM OF ELFIN CROSSING NSW Water Commissioner, David Harriss, today announced restrictions on groundwater extraction at Maules Creek in the Upper Namoi Valley.
“Due to the ongoing drought, the restrictions are necessary to protect water levels in the Maules Creek Groundwater Source and to protect groundwater dependent ecosystems,” Mr Harriss said.
“Groundwater extraction increases the rate of decline of groundwater levels during dry times when little or no recharge is occurring. This can result in the stream flow drying up prematurely and for longer periods.
“The restrictions will help to maintain landholder’s access to their basic landholder rights and to protect groundwater dependent ecosystems in the upper part of Maules Creek during extended dry periods.
“The NSW Office of Water and the University of NSW has reported independently on the hydrological links between the Creek flows and the shallow alluvial aquifer system.
“To protect the low flows, it is necessary to restrict groundwater pumping for irrigation purposes to a maximum of 12 hours per day when the surface flow in Maules Creek at Elfin Crossing falls below 1 megalitre per day and to restrict pumping to a maximum of four hours per day when the surface flow at Elfin Crossing gauge station ceases.”
“When the surface flow in Maules Creek at Elfin Crossing Gauging Station has ceased, the pumping hours may be accrued in accordance with Schedule 2 of the Order.”
The restrictions will apply until 30th June 2010. However, the NSW Office of Water will continue to monitor conditions and keep the restrictions under review.
Additional information on available water determinations (AWD) is available on the Department’s website: www.dwe.nsw.gov.au. Alternatively, licence holders can phone their local NSW Office of Water office for more information.
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