This matter relates to the terms under which these NSW licences are granted and is a NSW government matter. It is beyond the remit of the Basin Plan. Submissions said the proposed Basin Plan did not take into account the possible existence of native title rights to water. The proposed Plan establishes SDLs and the associated water-management regime for the Murray-Darling Basin. It does not address water ownership and does not impact on any entitlements arising from the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth). The proposed Basin Plan states (9.53 (1)(a)) that water resource plans must be prepared having regard to the views of relevant Aboriginal organisations with respect to native title rights, native title claims and Aboriginal Land Use Agreements provided for by the Native Title Act. Submissions said that extraction of coal-seam gas would impact on Aboriginal water-dependent sites, use and values. The Basin Plan has the role of setting a sustainable limit on the consumptive use of Basin water resources not determining how this water is used. – State governments are responsible for approval and regulation of mining activities. The volume of water used by mining, including coal seam gas mining, will need to be within the limits specified by the Basin Plan. This includes any leakage from groundwater resources caused by mining activities. Submissions argued that lack of access to river frontage and wetlands was a major issue preventing Aboriginal people from fishing and undertaking other cultural activities. This is matter for state and territory governments to consider. This is outside the remit of the MDBA. Examples identified through the submission process will be collated and referred to appropriate state agencies.
This matter relates to the terms under which these NSW licences are granted and is a NSW government matter. It is beyond the remit of the Basin Plan. Submissions said the proposed Basin Plan did not take into account the possible existence of native title rights to water. The proposed Plan establishes SDLs and the associated water-management regime for the Murray-Darling Basin. It does not address water ownership and does not impact on any entitlements arising from the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth). The proposed Basin Plan states (9.53 (1)(a)) that water resource plans must be prepared having regard to the views of relevant Aboriginal organisations with respect to native title rights, native title claims and Aboriginal Land Use Agreements provided for by the Native Title Act. Submissions said that extraction of coal-seam gas would impact on Aboriginal water-dependent sites, use and values. The Basin Plan has the role of setting a sustainable limit on the consumptive use of Basin water resources – not determining how this water is used. State governments are responsible for approval and regulation of mining activities. The volume of water used by mining, including coal seam gas mining, will need to be within the limits specified by the Basin Plan. This includes any leakage from groundwater resources caused by mining activities. Submissions argued that lack of access to river frontage and wetlands was a major issue preventing Aboriginal people from fishing and undertaking other cultural activities. This is matter for state and territory governments to consider. This is outside the remit of the MDBA. Examples identified through the submission process will be collated and referred to appropriate state agencies.