Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs) have been established in areas where groundwater has been intensively developed or has the potential to be developed. Caps on extraction, (the maximum volume that can be taken from an aquifer system in a GMA) have been set in these areas based on estimates of sustainable aquifer limits.
Local management rules outline the specific arrangements for managing the water resource, for example how water will be shared in times of shortage.
Local management rules for the Mid Loddon GMA were endorsed by the G-MW Board in June 2009 and are now in place. Local management rules will now be developed in other GMAs in G-MW's region.
When groundwater licence entitlement within a GMA approaches its sustainable limit (known as a Permissible Consumptive Volume) or there is a need to consider ongoing restrictions to manage access to an aquifer, then, an area may be declared a Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA) by the responsible Minister for Water in accordance with provisions of the Water Act 1989 . Once a WSPA has been declared (by publication of notice in the Government Gazette) a Consultative Committee is appointed by the Minister to prepare a Groundwater Management Plan.
Groundwater Management Plans are prepared to ensure that groundwater resources are managed in a fair, equitable and sustainable manner. The plans are approved by the Minister, after which they become legally enforceable.
Across Goulburn-Murray Water's region, the responsible Minister has already declared the Spring Hill, Loddon, Campaspe Deep Lead, Katunga and Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPAs. Groundwater Management Plans are currently in place for the Shepparton Irrigation Region, Campaspe Deep Lead, Katunga and Spring Hill WSPAs.
Draft Upper Ovens Water Management Plan
The Draft Upper Ovens Water Management Plan has been release for public comment. Public submissions for the draft Plan are to be completed by 6th May 2011.
More information at the Upper Ovens Management Plan page
Download a copy of the Draft Water Management Plan
Katunga Water Supply Protection Area
The Katunga Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was approved by the Minister for Water in July 2006.
Annual reports are required as part of Groundwater Management plans to ensure compliance with the plan. For copies of annual reports please click below.
Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2007
Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2008
Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2009
Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2010
Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2011
Shepparton Irrigation Region Water Supply Protection Area
The Shepparton Irrigation Region Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was prepared in 1997.
Annual reports are required as part of Groundwater Management plans to ensure compliance with the plan. For copies of annual reports please click below.
Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2006
Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2007
Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2008
Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2009
Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2010
Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2011
Mid-Loddon Groundwater Management Area
Mid-Loddon Groundwater Management Area - Local Management Rules - June 2009
Mid-Loddon GMA 09/10 Season Wrap Up - Fact Sheet
Mid-Loddon WSPA Annual Report 2010
Loddon Highlands Water Supply Protection Area
Loddon Highlands WSPA User Survey Report Monday 21 November 2011
Loddon Highlands WSPA 2010/11 season summary newsletter Monday 12 September 2011
Groundwater Consultative Committees Tour Region 11 March 2011
Committee to consider future groundwater management for Loddon Highlands Tuesday 7 December 2010
Lower Campaspe Valley Water Supply Protection Area
Committee to consider future groundwater management for Lower Campaspe Valley Wednesday 8 December 2010
Campaspe Deap Lead Groundwater Management Area
Campaspe Deap Lead WSPA Annual Report 2010
11 March 2011: Groundwater Consultative Committees Tour Region
Lower Campaspe Valley interim management rules.