Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains general information about unbundling water rights, for specific River Murray information, click here.
You can download a copy of the FAQs, or select the question you are interested in from the list below and it will take you straight to the answer.
- Unbundling- FAQs (87 KB PDF file)
Questions:
How does unbundling impact on new development?
How will unbundling water rights be implemented?
How will I get a water allocation?
Can I change a site use approval?
Can I change a water resource works approval?
Who can apply for a works approval?
How does unbundling impact on new development?
In order to take water, the proponent of the development will require a water allocation. The impact on new developments depends on the extent of unbundling water rights in that prescribed water resource. Where the water resource is fully unbundled, two approvals will be needed (a site use approval and a water resource works approval), as well as a water allocation. Where the water resource is partially unbundled, a water resource works approval and/or a site use approval may not be required. If site use approvals and/or water resource works approvals are required, technical and site assessments will be needed, and the relevant policies in the relevant water allocation plan will apply.
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How will unbundling water rights be implemented?
Each current water licence will be translated into the separate water management authorisations that the owner(s) require. Each current licensee will receive water access entitlements on a water licence that provide a share of the water available in the prescribed resource or part of the prescribed resource.
The number of shares you will receive will be related to the volume of allocation on your current bundled licence. For example, the River Murray the rule that was applied was that 1 kilolitre of allocation translated to one unit share of water access entitlement. This does not imply that for all other water allocation plans the value per unit share will automatically be 1 kilolitre.
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How will I get a water allocation?
Water allocations are issued to holders of water access entitlements. Water allocations can also be purchased from others and used during the water use year in which they are issued. The Minister publishes the volume of water from a consumptive pool that is available for allocation. This is published in the South Australian Government Gazette annually, but may be published in the Gazette more frequently to suit resource conditions, e.g. to adjust to increased water availability in storages.
South Australia takes a precautionary approach when publishing the water allocation at the start of the water year. Water allocations generally start at a lower volume and may be increased throughout the year if there is more water in storages. Each unit share of a water access entitlement provides an equal right to a share of the volume available for allocation from that water resource.
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How does the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources check my water use against the water allocation?
Each water account will be referenced to one or more water meters. Meter readings will be used to compare volumes of water allocated with volumes taken. In the absence of meters or in the case of metering complications, current protocols for estimating water use will continue to be used. Usage will be debited from your water account after each meter reading has been processed.
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Can I change a site use approval?
You can apply to vary a site use approval, eg to change the purpose or conditions of use at a location. In these cases, technical or site assessments may be required and a fee will apply. The application will be assessed against the policies in the relevant water allocation plan that relate to that type and purpose of water use at that particular location. Changes to the conditions on a site use approval can also be made by the Minister in limited circumstances such as where the water allocation plan for the resource has been changed or where the Minister considers the variation is necessary to more effectively regulate the taking of water from the resource in accordance with the relevant water allocation plan and the NRM Act.
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I am interested in buying a parcel of land but I want to make sure that I can get a site use approval on the land first. Where do I get information?
Policies relating to the proposed location and nature of use in the current water allocation plan can give you a good indication of your chances of gaining a site use approval. You can discuss this with Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources staff.
Please call your closest office:
• Adelaide (08) 8463 6800
• Berri (08) 8595 2053
• Mount Gambier (08) 8735 1134
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How does the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources check compliance with conditions on the site use approval?
The site use approval may have conditions that include reporting obligations. The Department will check that the necessary reports have been provided.
If there is a maximum volume of water that can be used on a particular site, the site use approval will have a meter reference number to measure water used at the site. In the absence of meters or metering complications, current protocols for estimating water use will continue to be used. There are also other processes for identifying breaches of site use approvals and conditions, such as community reporting and random audits.
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Can I change a water resource works approval?
You can apply to vary a water resource works approval, eg the conditions applying to taking water or extraction infrastructure. In these cases, technical or site assessments may be required and a fee will apply. The application will be assessed against policies in the relevant water allocation plan that manage the impacts of taking water on the water resource.
Changes to the water resource works approval can also be made by the Minister, but only in limited circumstances, such as through a change to the water allocation plan for the region, or where the Minister considers the variation necessary to more effectively regulate the taking of water from the resource in accordance with the relevant water allocation plan and the NRM Act.
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Who can apply for a works approval?
In order to construct any works you will need legal access to the land. The water resource works approval will generally state a time limit of 12 months for the approved works to be constructed and a requirement to notify the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources when construction is completed. The approval can cover the ongoing operation and maintenance of works. Therefore, water resources works approvals for these aspects can be ongoing.
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How does the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources check compliance with conditions on a water resource works approval?
The water resource works approval may include reporting obligations. The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources will check whether the required reports are provided, e.g. a report may be required when works have been completed. If there is a condition on a works approval, such as a maximum volume that can be taken through the infrastructure, the approval will also have a meter reference number so that the volume taken through the works is measured. In the absence of meters or in the case of metering complications, current protocols for estimating water taken will continue to be used. There are also other processes for identifying breaches to works approvals or the conditions on which they are issued, including through community reporting and random audits.
