Introduction
Water resource planning ensures the State's
water resources are sensibly and responsibly allocated across
environmental, social and economic needs.
Natural Resource Management (NRM) Boards are
responsible for the development of water allocation plans. These plans
cover various water sources including catchments, groundwater,
stormwater and recycled water. The Department of Environment, Water and
Natural Resources (DEWNR) has responsibility for the administration of
authorisations, issuing water access entitlements and allocations
(licensing), trade, works and site use approvals and compliance
activities. The Department and NRM Boards work closely together to
ensure appropriate management of water resources.
Water allocation planning focuses on highly
valued water resources that have been prescribed under South Australia's
Natural Resources Management Act 2004 to protect their integrity and the beneficial uses they support. Through this process, the community,
industry and government make key decisions to manage the State's water
resources and to form part of an integrated system of management. Water
allocation plans also take into account policies and plans at national,
state and regional levels.
The DEWNR applies a lens of reform to its
water planning and management activities in order to achieve balanced
and efficient management of our most precious resource - water.