Water Management Act 1999

The objectives of this Act are to further the objectives of the resource management and planning system of Tasmania as specified in Schedule 1 and in particular to provide for the use and management of the freshwater resources of Tasmania having regard to the need to – promote sustainable use and facilitate economic development of water resources; and recognise and foster the significant social and economic benefits resulting from the sustainable use and development of water resources for the generation of hydro-electricity and for the supply of water for human consumption and commercial activities dependent on water; and maintain ecological processes and genetic diversity for aquatic and riparian ecosystems; and provide for the fair, orderly and efficient allocation of water resources to meet the community's needs; and increase the community's understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the need to use and manage water in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner; and encourage community involvement in water resource management.

It is the obligation of the Minister, the Secretary, a water entity and any other person on whom a function is imposed or a power is conferred under this Act to perform the function or exercise the power in such a manner as to further the objectives specified in subsection (1) and in Schedule 1.