Targeted consultation open
We are now commencing work on developing the numeric LTAAEL, based on the current water sharing plan definition, and developing the processes to undertake assessments for the remaining inland unregulated valleys.
Update on LTAAELs in inland unregulated valleys
The extraction limit, known as the long-term average annual extraction limit (LTAAEL), has been in all water sharing plans since they commenced and sets a limit on how much water can be extracted from a water source.
Each plan has an annual requirement to assess current take against the LTAAEL to determine if take is compliant. Compliance assessments have been undertaken in groundwater sources since 2016 and in regulated sources since 2021, as well as for the Barwon-Darling and Greater Metropolitan Region unregulated systems. For more information on the compliance assessment outcomes visit Extraction limits.
We have commenced work on the Numeric LTAAEL project to undertake assessments in the remaining inland unregulated valleys. The project is following a 3-step process:
- Use the existing water sharing plan definition to determine a number, and publish that number
- Develop a method to assess current take (in the absence of sufficient meters)
- Commence compliance assessments.
We are undertaking targeted consultation with holders of unregulated licences in inland valleys to:
- Explain the process and method we are using to determine a number for the existing water sharing plan definition.
- Gain input into the method to assess current take.
- Discuss more broadly the LTAAEL definition, assessment and compliance clauses.
We are required to publish the numeric LTAAELs by 31 December 2026 and we will do this by publishing reports on the website.
If the consultation around the definition, assessment and compliance clauses results in potential legislative amendments, we plan to draft those amendments in the first half of 2027 to progress them through water sharing plan processes. If there are amendments to be progressed, further consultation will be undertaken.
Public information sessions
Please join us to find out more about LTAAELs in unregulated inland systems and how you can help inform the method for LTAAEL compliance assessment.
Register for a Macquarie Valley session
When: Monday, 26 October 2026
Where: Bathurst Golf Club, 136 Vittoria Street, Bathurst
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm
Register for the Bathurst session
When: Thursday, 26 November 2026
Where: Nyngan RSL & Civic Club, 106 Pangee Street, Nyngan
Time: 9 am – 11 am
Register for the Nyngan session
When: Monday, 30 November 2026
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Register for the Macquarie Valley webinar
Register for an Intersecting Streams Valley session
When: Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Register for the Intersecting Streams webinar
Register for a Lachlan Valley session
When: Tuesday 27 October 2026
Where: Eugowra Community Bowls & Recreation Club, 5 Hill Street, Eugowra
Time: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Register for the Eugowra session
When: Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Where: Condobolin RSL Club, 20 McDonnell Street, Condobolin
Time: 9 am – 11 am
Register for the Condobolin session
When: Monday, 2 November 2026
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Register for the Lachlan Valley webinar
Register for a Murrumbidgee Valley session
When: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Where: Darlington Point Sports Club, 6 Demamiel Street, Darlington Point
Time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Register for the Darlington Point session
When: Friday, 13 November 2026
Where: Rules Club Wagga Wagga, 188 Fernleigh Road, Wagga Wagga
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Register for the Wagga Wagga session
When: Wednesday, 18 November 2026
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Register for the Murrumbidgee Valley webinar
Register for a Murray Valley session
When: Thursday, 12 November 2026
Where: Deniliquin RSL Club, 72 End Street, Deniliquin
Time: 9 am – 11 am
Register for the Deniliquin session
When: Friday, 13 November 2026
Where: Tumbarumba Motel, 2 Albury Close, Tumbarumba
Time: 9 am – 11 am
Register for the Tumbarumba session
When: Monday, 16 November 2026
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Register for the Murray Valley webinar
Register for a Namoi and Peel Valley session
When: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
Where: Manilla RSL & Ex-Servicemens Club, 25 Court Street, Manilla
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Register for the Manilla session
When: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
Where: Club Gunnedah, 313 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm
Register for the Gunnedah session
When: Tuesday, 8 December 2026
Where: Wee Waa & District Bowling Club, 69 Alma Street, Wee Waa
Time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Register for the Wee Waa session
When: Wednesday, 16 December 2026
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Register for the Namoi and Peel Valley webinar
Register for a Castlereagh Valley session
When: Wednesday, 25 November 2026
Where: Coonabarabran Bowling Club, 49 Edwards Street, Coonabarabran
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Register for the Coonabarabran session
When: Wednesday, 25 November 2026
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Register for the Castlereagh Valley webinar
Register for a Gwydir Valley session
When: Wednesday, 9 December 2026
Where: Moree Services Club, 3 Albert Street, Moree
Time: 9 am – 11 am
Register for the Moree session
When: Friday, 11 December 2026
Where: Bundarra Library, 4 Court Street, Bundarra
Time: 9 am – 11 am
Register for the Bundarra session
When: Tuesday, 15 December 2026
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm
Register for the Gwydir Valley webinar
Register for the Border Rivers Valley session
When: Wednesday, 9 December 2026
Where: Gateway to Training, 15-21 Russell Street, Goondiwindi
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm
Register for the Goondiwindi session
When: Thursday, 10 December 2026
Where: Texas Memorial Hall, 50 High Street, Texas
Time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Register for the Texas session
When: Monday, 14 December 2026
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Register for the Border Rivers Valley webinar
Register for the North West Valley session
When: Monday, 30 November 2026
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Register for the North West Valley webinar
Timeline
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October – November 2026
Targeted consultation.
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December 2026
Publish the numeric LTAAEL reports on the website.
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2027
First half of 2027 – developing the compliance assessment method.