Water Plan (Georgina and Diamantina) 2004

In dealing with unallocated water, the chief executive must consider—

the need for, and efficiency of, present and proposed uses of water, including—

the extent to which water is being taken under current authorisations in the plan area; and

emerging requirements in the plan area for additional water and the likely timeframe in which the additional water will be required; and

alternative water sources including, for example, recycled water and water savings from improvements in the efficiency of water use; and

the availability of an alternative water supply for the purpose for which the water is required; and

the impact the proposed taking of, or interfering with, the water may have on the following—

water quality;

the draw-down levels in waterholes;

the natural movement of sediment;

low flows;

waterholes and wetlands;

connections between waterholes, particularly at times of low flow;

the floodplain downstream of the proposed taking or interfering;

inundation of habitats;

the movement of fish and other aquatic species;

recreation and aesthetic values;

cultural values, including, for example, cultural values of local Aboriginal communities; and

imposing flow conditions under which water may be taken or interfered with under any water entitlement granted, to protect low flows and other ecologically significant flows; and

whether the proposed taking or interfering with, or the proposed use of, water is likely to have an adverse effect on underground water; and

whether the proposed taking or interfering with, or the proposed use of, water is likely to lead to degradation, particularly salinity, of land or downstream watercourses both in the plan area and downstream of the plan area in South Australia; and

the impact the proposed taking of, or interfering with, the water may have on water users.

Subsection (1) does not limit the matters the chief executive may consider.