Water Management Act 2000

The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, classify water sources for the purposes of this Act.

Such an order may only be made with the concurrence of the Minister for the Environment.

Water sources are to be classified as follows—

as to the extent to which they are at risk (that is, the extent to which harm to the water source or its dependent ecosystems is likely to occur),

as to the extent to which they are subject to stress (that is, the extent to which harm to the water source or its dependent ecosystems has occurred or is occurring),

as to the extent of their conservation value (that is, the extent to which their intrinsic value merits protection from risk and stress).

It is the intention of Parliament that, within 12 months after the date of assent to this Act—

the water sources of the State be classified in accordance with this section, and

bulk access regimes be established for such of those water sources as are classified high risk, high stress or high conservation value.

A bulk access regime referred to in subsection (4) (b) is to be established by means of a Minister’s plan made, in the case of a water source that is within a water management area for which a management committee has been established, in consultation with that committee.

A bulk access regime referred to in subsection (4) (b) has effect for 10 years from the date on which it is established, but may be varied under section 45 as if it had been established by a management plan, in which case section 87 applies accordingly.

The regulations may prescribe rules in accordance with which water sources are to be classified for the purposes of this Act.