Water-sharing rules are prescribed in s. 64 of the Water Regulation 2002, and seasonal water assignment rules are prescribed in s. 15.

Under the Regulation, water-sharing rules are prescribed for a water licence not managed under a resource operations plan, and describe the arrangements under which access to water in a water management area is managed.

Purpose of water sharing rules

By establishing a framework for water-use accounting, the rules ensure there is an accountable and auditable trail for the movement of water use within and between water licences.

They also ensure that arrangements for access to water and water-use accounting within a water management area are clearly articulated to licence holders to provide them with a stable water-use accounting regime.

Water-sharing rules by region.