Groundwater Management Plans

Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs) have been established in areas where groundwater has been intensively developed or has the potential to be developed. Caps of extraction, (the maximum volume that can be taken from an aquifer system in a GMA) have been established in these areas based on estimates of sustainable limits of an aquifer.

When groundwater entitlement within a GMA approaches the sustainable limits, the area may be declared a Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA) by the responsible Minister 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 becomes legally enforceable.

Across the Goulburn-Murray region, the responsible Minister has already declared the Spring Hill, Upper Loddon, Mid-Loddon, Campaspe Deep Lead, Katunga and Shepparton Irrigation Region Water Supply Protection Areas. Groundwater Management Plans are currently in place for the Campaspe, Katunga and Spring Hill WSPA's Monitoring and metering programs are currently being undertaken in the Ellesmere, Mid-Goulburn, Barnawartha, Mollindolingong and Murmungee Management Areas.

Spring Hill Water Supply Protection Area

The Spring Hill Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was approved by the Minister for Environment and Conservation in January 2002. This plan is currently being reviewed.

Spring Hill WSPA Annual Report 2006

Spring Hill WSPA Annual Report 2007

Spring Hill WSPA Groundwater Users Survey Report

Katunga Water Supply Protection Area

The Katunga Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was approved by the Minister for Water in July 2006.

Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2007

Campaspe Deep Lead Water Supply Protection Area

The Campaspe Deep Lead Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was approved by the Minister for Water in July 2006. This plan is currently being reviewed.

Campaspe Deep Lead WSPA Annual Report 2006

Campaspe Deep Lead WSPA Annual Report 2007

Shepparton Irrigation Region Water Supply Protection Area

The Shepparton Irrigation Region Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was prepared in 1997.