Groundwater Management Plans

Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs) have been established in areas where groundwater has been intensively developed or has the potential to be developed. Caps on extraction, (the maximum volume that can be taken from an aquifer system in a GMA) have been set in these areas based on estimates of sustainable aquifer limits.

Local management rules outline the specific arrangements for managing the water resource, for example how water will be shared in times of shortage.

Local management rules for the Mid Loddon GMA were endorsed by the G-MW Board in June 2009 and are now in place. Local management rules will now be developed in other GMAs in G-MW's region.

When groundwater licence entitlement within a GMA approaches its sustainable limit (known as a Permissible Consumptive Volume) or there is a need to consider ongoing restrictions to manage access to an aquifer, then, an area may be declared a Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA) by the responsible Minister for Water in accordance with provisions of the Water Act 1989 . Once a WSPA has been declared (by publication of notice in the Government Gazette) a Consultative Committee is appointed by the Minister to prepare a Groundwater Management Plan.

Groundwater Management Plans are prepared to ensure that groundwater resources are managed in a fair, equitable and sustainable manner. The plans are approved by the Minister, after which they become legally enforceable.

Across Goulburn-Murray Water's region, the responsible Minister has already declared the Spring Hill, Loddon, Campaspe Deep Lead, Katunga and Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPAs. Groundwater Management Plans are currently in place for the Shepparton Irrigation Region, Campaspe Deep Lead, Katunga and Spring Hill WSPAs.

Katunga Water Supply Protection Area

The Katunga Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was approved by the Minister for Water in July 2006.

Annual reports are required as part of Groundwater Management plans to ensure compliance with the plan. For copies of annual reports please click below.

Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2007

Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2008

Katunga WSPA Annual Report 2009

Shepparton Irrigation Region Water Supply Protection Area

The Shepparton Irrigation Region Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan was prepared in 1997.

Annual reports are required as part of Groundwater Management plans to ensure compliance with the plan. For copies of annual reports please click below.

Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2006

Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2007

Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2008

Shepparton Irrigation Region WSPA Annual Report 2009