The ASGE program has been developed by the New South Wales and Australian governments in partnership with irrigators, with consultation facilitated by catchment management authorities (CMAs).  The program aims to ensure the long term sustainability of the six major inland groundwater systems in New South Wales and a healthy and sustainable groundwater irrigation industry. The NSW and Australian Governments have jointly invested $110 million in the program to support water users and regional communities.

Following consultations facilitated by the Murrumbidgee CMA, the method for entitlement reductions and distribution of financial assistance has been approved by both the NSW and Australian governments. Key recommendations include:

*New water entitlements are calculated using the History of Extraction methodology including water asset value protection. This is the default scenario.

*The asset value protection provision protects 19% of the current entitlement.

*The remaining available water is then distributed to entitlements that have extracted more than the 19%, on a prorata basis.

*The first 100 megalitres of each entitlement is exempt from reduction.

*Entitlements less than 100 megalitres are not to be reduced.

Draft amendments to the Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater Source (‘the water sharing plan’) will be exhibited for public comment shortly. The draft amendments will be available on the department’s web site at www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au/water/sharing_plans0607.shtml.  Submissions received during this exhibition will be considered and amendments made where possible. The amended plan is scheduled to commence on 1 October 2006. 

If you have any queries or would like more information on the allocation for the property entitlement, licence, or potential financial assistance, you are welcome to contact:

Prem Kumar 
Natural Resources Project Officer 
Department of Natural Resources, Leeton 
(02) 6953 0770.