Temporary Water Restriction - Bega and Brogo Regulated Rivers Water Sources
Reason for Decision
Temporary Water Restriction (Bega and Brogo Regulated Rivers Water Sources) Order 2020
Background
At present the Bega and Brogo Regulated Rivers Water Source is currently in Drought Stage 2 (emerging water shortage) however, this will shortly be escalated to the highest Stage 4 (critical drought).
Brogo Dam is the main source of water for the towns along the Bega and Brogo rivers, which rely on the Brogo-Bermagui Water Supply System, besides limited groundwater access. Brogo dam, which feeds into the Brogo - Bermagui Water Supply System, is at 13.6%, holding around 1400 ML (as of 6/01/2020). The storage is predicted to reach the very critical level of 1200ML soon. This level will enable town water supplies to be met over the Summer / Autumn period, assuming inflows to the dam are received after this. To secure critical water supplies, access to all water remaining in general security accounts will be prohibited until there is sufficient resource recovery. The remaining volume will be secured to cover delivery loss, evaporation and contingency for essential usage including the town water supply (which has an historic annual average use of around 350 ML per year).
When the restriction is applied, a low rate release of 5-6 ML/d or less will be made for the towns. The release will be flowing past the pump site but at a very low rate (between 2-4 ML/d) which will be accessible by domestic & stock licences and basic landholder rights.
Reasons for Decisions
Temporary water restriction – section 324
Section 324 of the Water Management Act 2000 (the Act) allows the Minister or her delegate to order that temporary water restrictions within a water source(s) are to have effect for a specified period, if these restrictions are determined to be in the public interest.
Examples of the public interest referred to in section 324(1) include “to cope with a water shortage, threat to public health or safety or to manage water for environmental purposes”.
Based on the information outlined in the Background section, there is a public interest in making an order to restrict general security take in the Bega and Brogo Regulated Rivers Water Source as follows:
- “to cope with a water shortage” - Brogo dam is depleting fast due to no net inflow and high delivery loss. The remaining water volume must be protected for critical human needs as it is the main source of water for the Brogo-Bermagui Water Supply System.
- “threat to public health and safety” – town water supply and domestic supplies are crucial for public health and safety and are under threat without intervention. These mitigation measures are needed to maintain supplies and provide for essential needs, in the Brogo River, and will be in place until replenishment has occurred.
The restriction does not apply to the take of water for testing metering equipment of up to a total of 1ML for pumps larger than 500mm and 0.5ML for all other works. The duly qualified persons testing metering equipment will be required to notify NRAR within 24 hours of any take for testing.
Trade restrictions do not apply as part of the Order. This has been done to allow some users to trade water, and provide some monetary relief during the severe drought conditions. However, the Order states that any restricted water that is traded cannot be accessed until the temporary water restriction is lifted. Traded water retains its restricted access characteristics.
Beth Overton
A/ Executive Director, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Water Policy, Planning and Sciences
7 January 2020