Solar Bonus Scheme for NSW The NSW Government announced details of a new Solar Bonus Scheme for NSW on 23 June, 2009. The Scheme is a net feed-in tariff model. A feed-in tariff provides payments for electricity produced by small scale distributed sources like solar photovoltaic (PV) systems when their output is fed back into the electricity grid. The new Solar Bonus Scheme is the most generous of any State in Australia. Further information >> |
NSW Great Artesian Basin water auction An auction of 1,200 megalitres of water saved from the Central, Warrego and Surat groundwater sources of the Great Artesian Basin will be held by the Department of Water and Energy as announced by Minister Costa in May 2009. |
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Water for Life A new website has been developed to provide the community with an outline of the four main elements of the Metropolitan Water Plan, the NSW Government's plan to secure greater Sydney's water supply. Follow a water drop on its journey through dams, recycling, desalination and water efficiency measures here >> Commenced water sharing plans Following a period of community consultation and input, a water sharing plan is formally gazetted by the Minister and becomes a legal document under the Water Management Act 2000. Once a water sharing plan is formally commenced the rules apply within the plan area. A water sharing plan is in place for ten years. Read more >> Critical water planning With water resources limited by severe drought conditions in many parts of NSW, the Department is playing a vital role in partnership with critical water advisory groups to manage resources in the hardest hit areas. Critical water planning communiqués are released regularly to explain current planning for major regulated rivers. Read more >> Water access licence dealings Water dealings can involve buying or selling your water access licence or part of it, buying or selling allocation water, changing the location where a licence can be used and even subdividing and consolidating licences. These general water dealings provide opportunities to maximise the commercial benefits of your water licence. Information on water access licensing and application forms are available on this website. Read more >> Water industry competition New South Wales is leading Australia in introducing competition to the metropolitan water industry by harnessing the resources of the private sector and directing the forces of competition to help secure greater Sydney's water future. Read more >> Integrated Water Cycle Management Integrated Water Cycle Management is a way for local water utilities to manage their water systems to maximise benefits to the community and environment. It deals effectively with linkages between water supply, sewage and stormwater. Read more >> Metropolitan Water Plan The 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan sets out how the NSW Government will provide a secure supply of water that can meet the long term needs of Sydney. This means ensuring that we have sufficient water available over time to meet the needs of a growing city and to protect river health as well as the ability to withstand current and future droughts, and impacts from climate change. Read more >> Water licensing for corporations The water licence of a major utility entitles it to take and use water from a water source in accordance with a comprehensive set of licence conditions. These conditions cover works authorisations, operating requirements, monitoring, reporting and scientific studies. Importantly, licensing requirements are developed and reviewed based on community consultation and technical information. Read more >> Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program The Department provides technical, management and financial support to local water utilities through the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program. The Program has enabled completion of more than 300 water supply and sewerage projects delivering enhanced public health, improved environmental outcomes and security of supply to more than one million people living in country areas of NSW. Read more >> Farm dams Harvestable rights allow landholders to collect up to 10 per cent of the average regional rainwater runoff on their property and use this water in a farm dam, or dams, provided the dam is built on a hillside or minor stream. If the amount of water landholders harvest under this right was not limited, flows in rivers would be greatly reduced, threatening aquatic ecosystems and water supplies to downstream users. Read more >> Drilling services The Department operates a commercial Groundwater Drilling Unit with a range of drilling equipment suitable for different types of bores. This service specialises in the larger or more difficult projects where few contractors have the expertise or equipment to undertake the project. Read more >> Office of the Hawkesbury–Nepean The new Office of the Hawkesbury–Nepean is a NSW Government initiative to improve the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system. The Office will work with State Government agencies and local councils to ensure that the management of the river is more coordinated and less complicated. It will provide a single point of contact for the community, so questions or concerns about the river can be dealt with directly and effectively. Read more >> |
