sec.32Process for dealing with unallocated water

sec.32 Process for dealing with unallocated water

The resource operations plan includes the process for dealing with unallocated water in the plan area. In preparing and implementing the process the chief executive is to consider the following— the purpose for which the water is required; the efficiency of existing and proposed water use practices; the extent to which water is being taken under existing authorisations in the plan area; the availability of an alternative water supply for the purpose for which the water is required; the impact the proposed taking of, or interfering with, the water may have on existing water users in the plan area; whether the proposed taking or interfering is likely to have a direct adverse effect on groundwater flows; the streamflows required to maintain the following— the longitudinal connectivity of low flow habitats throughout river systems in the plan area; the wetted habitats at riffles and other stream bed features; the natural seasonality of flows and zero flows; the replenishment of refuge pools that enable movement of in-stream biota; the lateral connectivity between rivers in the plan area and their adjacent riverine environments including floodplains; the impact the taking of, or proposed taking of, water may have on the following— water quality; the natural movement of sediment; the bed and banks of a watercourse or lake; riparian vegetation; habitats for native plants and animals; the movement of fish and other aquatic species; the recreational and aesthetic values of the plan area; cultural values, including, for example, cultural values of the traditional owners of the plan area; the ecological values of watercourses, lakes or springs. Subsection (2) does not limit the matters the chief executive may consider. (sec.32-ssec.1) The resource operations plan includes the process for dealing with unallocated water in the plan area. (sec.32-ssec.2) In preparing and implementing the process the chief executive is to consider the following— the purpose for which the water is required; the efficiency of existing and proposed water use practices; the extent to which water is being taken under existing authorisations in the plan area; the availability of an alternative water supply for the purpose for which the water is required; the impact the proposed taking of, or interfering with, the water may have on existing water users in the plan area; whether the proposed taking or interfering is likely to have a direct adverse effect on groundwater flows; the streamflows required to maintain the following— the longitudinal connectivity of low flow habitats throughout river systems in the plan area; the wetted habitats at riffles and other stream bed features; the natural seasonality of flows and zero flows; the replenishment of refuge pools that enable movement of in-stream biota; the lateral connectivity between rivers in the plan area and their adjacent riverine environments including floodplains; the impact the taking of, or proposed taking of, water may have on the following— water quality; the natural movement of sediment; the bed and banks of a watercourse or lake; riparian vegetation; habitats for native plants and animals; the movement of fish and other aquatic species; the recreational and aesthetic values of the plan area; cultural values, including, for example, cultural values of the traditional owners of the plan area; the ecological values of watercourses, lakes or springs. (sec.32-ssec.3) Subsection (2) does not limit the matters the chief executive may consider.