PIRSA Water Intensive Development

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Water considerations

Introduction

The SA Murray Darling Basin region supports approx 2500 irrigation businesses and includes the prescribed surface and underground water resources of the River Murray, Mallee, Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, Marne Saunders,and Peake Roby Sherlock.

The Murray River is the primary source of water for irrigation in the Riverland. The Murray River water resource is managed through a Water Allocation Plan (WAP) that sets the rules for water allocation, use and trading in the region. Within the region there is increasingly widespread recognition that consumptive use is at levels that are inconsistent with the sustainability of the resource and the wider environment. Additionally increasing levels of salinity have the potential to damage the river and its environs. Given these constraints, all water for irrigation purposes must be purchased, either permanently, by lease arrangement, or by trade.

A key focus of the Water Allocation Plan for this region is the management of irrigation drainage and salinity. In order to manage the resource effectively a salinity zoning policy (SIMPACT) has been developed to implement the salinity management provisions set out in the Water Allocation Plans for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse. The SIMPACT High Zone layer indicates irrigation-induced high salinity impact areas along South Australia sections of the River Murray.

SIMPACT Zones are used for identification of high salinity impact areas and Salt Interception or Groundwater Control Zones when assessing water licence transfers and irrigation development. It is important that you understand where your proposed development is situated with regards these zones.