Proposed water levy
Have your say
Provide feedback on a proposed water levy for the Central Adelaide and Dry Creek Prescribed Wells Areas.
Background
The Adelaide Plains Water Allocation Plan became operational on 1 July 2022. The plan sets out the rules for taking and using groundwater and the management of wells in the Northern Adelaide Plains, Central Adelaide and Dry Creek Prescribed Wells Areas in accordance with the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
This is the first water allocation plan for the Central Adelaide and Dry Creek Prescribed Wells Areas and a new water levy is being proposed for licences in these areas.
The levy is a way for water users to contribute to water management costs. Water levies are raised in prescribed areas across South Australia under the Act, including in the Northern Adelaide Plains.
What is being proposed?
Green Adelaide and the Hills and Fleurieu and Northern and Yorke landscape boards are proposing that a water levy be introduced for the Central Adelaide and Dry Creek Prescribed Areas at $6.50/ML of water allocated, with the capacity to be adjusted annually in line with inflation (the Consumer Price Index) and that this levy would apply from 1 July 2023.
The proposed rate is based on that already in place for licence holders in prescribed areas across the broader Adelaide region, including the Northern Adelaide Plains.
The levy would apply to approximately 350 licensees raising a total of around $70,000.
The levy would not apply to allocations to extract water that has previously been drained or discharged to an aquifer. The board will be giving further consideration to an appropriate approach to these allocations in future years.
View the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board's Notice of a Prescribed Levy.
Why is a levy needed?
Funds raised through the levy would assist Green Adelaide and the Hills and Fleurieu and Northern and Yorke landscape boards to deliver a range of natural resource management projects and activities, including supporting the implementation of the Adelaide Plains Water Allocation Plan.
The application of a water levy is consistent with the pricing principles under the National Water Initiative (NWI) (2004).
How can I provide feedback?
You are invited to comment on the water levy proposal. Feedback will be taken into consideration in determining the introduction, rate and commencement date of a levy. To have your say, please complete the short survey below.
Feedback will be accepted until 5pm, Tuesday 4 October 2022.
If you would like to discuss this proposal, please contact the Team Leader Water Allocation Planning by mail to Green Adelaide, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA, 5001. Or via email at dew.greenadelaide@sa.gov.au.
A letter has also been sent to all water licence holders directly affected by the proposal.