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5. Macquarie Generation

Water Licensing

Water Licensing of Macquarie Generation

Macquarie Generation is a State Owned Corporation operating under the Energy Services Corporations Act (1995) and the State Owned Corporations Act (1989).  It was established in 1996, following reform of the NSW electricity system. Macquarie Generation owns and operates two coal–fired thermal power stations (Bayswater and Liddell) on the Hunter River near Muswellbrook, which supply approximately 40 per cent of the State's energy requirements.

Macquarie Generation’s licence package consists of a Part 9 Water Management Licence under the Water Act 1912 for water sourced from the unregulated section of the Hunter River and the Barnard River in the Manning catchment, and water access licences (Major Utility Specific Purpose, High Security, General Security and Supplementary Water) and a Combined Works and Use Approval under the Water Management Act 2000 for the Hunter Regulated River. 

The licence package regulates the extraction of water from Barnard and provides for environmental releases below Barnard Weir.  The licence also contains provisions for transfer of water from the Barnard to Glenbawn Dam, including requirements to minimise environmental impacts that may occur due to the water transfers.

The licence package also regulates the conditions under which Macquarie Generation may extract water from the Hunter River at Jerrys Plains.  Reporting on activities associated with water extraction and transfer is required annually.

Macquarie Generation licences

Water Act 1912

Part 9 Water Management Licence (PDF 147KB)

Water Management Act 2000

For the Hunter Regulated River Source:

• Major Utility Specific Purpose Access Licence Extract (PDF 62KB)
• High Security Access Licence Extract (PDF 45KB)
• General Security Access Licence Extract (PDF 45KB)
• Supplementary Water Access Licence Extract (PDF 47KB)
• Combined Works and Use Approval (PDF 92KB)

For further information on the licences, or to report an incident, please contact us.

Read more about Macquarie Generation and its operations.