Water sharing plan merger
The Hunter Regulated River Water Sharing Plan (WSP) and the Paterson Regulated River WSP have merged. The Hunter Regulated River WSP has been repealed, and the Paterson Regulated River WSP has been amended to include the entirety of the Hunter Regulated WSP.
The merger does not change individual plan provisions.
There is no change to the current rules of either current plan so there is no impact on existing licence or work approval conditions. The main effect is administrative only, with merged plans simply being listed under a single water sharing plan. If you are a licence holder in the Hunter Regulated River WSP the replacement date of your WSP will be extended from June 2026 to June 2029 to align with the Paterson Regulated River WSP.
These changes will come into effect as of 29 May 2026.
This work supports our broader objectives to:
- improve the efficiency and effectiveness of plan management
- reduce the overall number of water sharing plans across the state
- deliver time and cost savings.
The department will continue to undertake public exhibition and comprehensive stakeholder consultation as part of the formal review and replacement of the plan when it expires.
More detailed information can be found in the summary of changes fact sheet.
About the region
The Hunter region is bordered in the north-west by the Liverpool Ranges which separate it from the Namoi catchment, and on the west by the Great Dividing Range, which separates it from the Macquarie River catchment. It covers an area over 20,000km2 and extends further inland than any other coastal region of NSW.
The water sharing plans that apply to the surface water and groundwater resources of the Hunter region are listed below.
The region is the traditional lands of the Kamilaroi, Geawegal and Wonnarua people.
Hunter and Paterson Regulated Rivers Water Sources 2019
Status: In force
Commencement date: July 2019
Cease date: June 2029
Read: Hunter and Paterson Regulated Rivers Water Source 2019
This plan has been amended since it commenced. The Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Regulated River Water Source 2016 has been repealed and is now contained within the amended Water Sharing Plan for the Paterson Regulated River Water Source 2019. See the NSW Legislation site for details.
| Maps | Supporting documentation | Prior water sharing plan status |
|---|---|---|
| N/A |
| This plan was previously two plans: |
Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
Status: In force
Commencement date: July 2022
Cease date: June 2032
Read: Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
This plan has been amended since it commenced. See the NSW Legislation site for details.
Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
Status: In force
Commencement date: July 2022
Cease date: June 2032
Read: Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
This plan has been amended since it commenced. See the NSW Legislation site for details.
North Coast Coastal Sands Groundwater Sources 2016
Status: In force (with two year extension)
Commencement date: July 2016
Cease date: June 2028
Read: North Coast Coastal Sands Groundwater Sources 2016
This plan has been amended since it commenced. See the NSW legislation site for details.
North Coast Fractured and Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2016
Status: In force (with two year extension)
Commencement date: July 2016
Cease date: June 2028
Read: North Coast Fractured and Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2016
This plan has been amended since it commenced. See the NSW legislation site for details.
| Maps | Supporting documentation | Prior water sharing plan status |
|---|---|---|
| N/A |