AGY-1141 | Water Resources Commission

Full description

The Water Resources Commission Act, 1976 (Act No.34 1976) received assent on 1 April 1976 with the main provisions of the Act proclaimed on 30 April 1976. The Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission was reconstituted as the Water Resources Commission. The Commission remained a corporation sole.

The Act made provision for a Water Resources Commission consisting of a Chief Commissioner, two full-time and two part-time Commissioners. The functions previously carried out by the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission were retained. These functions included control water conservation works: investigations relating to water storage throughout New South Wales; administration of the irrigation areas established by the State; statutory control of private irrigation and issued licences under the Water Act to land holders; establishing water trusts and districts for the supply of water for domestic purposes and stock and irrigation and the construction of works for such trusts and districts; controlling the use of artesian and sub-artesian waters; assisting land holders to establish or improve farm water supplies; responsibility for Murray River Commission works; stabilisation and improvement of rivers and foreshores; maintenance and construction of National Works; river gauging and investigation of flood control and flood management.

In addition, new responsibilities were assumed by the Commission including - a) evaluation of present and future water requirements for all purposes b) maintenance of a central repository of relevant data on water resources and water use throughout the state c) research for the purpose of improving the quality of water supplies d) investigation, evaluation, implementation and coordination of proposals for flood control and flood mitigation e) development and management of river catchment areas as sources of water supplies f) planning of the development of water resources in New South Wales g) coordination of activities of public authorities with respect to water resources and the review of all proposals and projects for development of water resources h) formulation, coordination and implementation of plans for the assessment, conservation, protection, replenishment, utilisation and distribution of surface and sub-surface water resources of New South Wales.

The Copeton Dam on the Gwydir River was officially opened on 23 October 1976. (1) The Brogo Dam was completed in December 1976. (2) The Balranald Weir on the Murrumbidgee River, the Boolooroo Weir on the Gwydir River, and the Weeta Weir on the Namoi River were completed in 1979. (3) The Chaffey Dam on the Peel River, was completed in September 1979. (4)

The Irrigation Areas and Districts were divided into five divisions:
1. Lachlan Valley - Jemalong and Wyldes Plains Irrigation Districts
2. Murrumbidgee Division - Coleambally, Hay, Mirrool and Yanco Irrigation Area and Benerembah, Gumly, Tabbita and Wah Wah Irrigation Districts
3. Murray Division - Tullakoo Irrigation Area and Berriquin, Deniboota, Denimein and Wakool Irrigation Districts
4. Lower Murray Division - Buronga, Coomealla, Curlwaa and Mallee Cliffs Irrigation Areas
5. Lowbidgee Flood Control and Irrigation District

The Water Administration Act, 1986 (Act No. 195 1986) repealed the Water Resources Commission Act, 1976 and abolished the Water Resources Commission replacing it with the Department of Water Resources on 1 January 1987. (5)

Endnotes
1. Annual Report of the Water Resources Commission for the year ended 30 June 1977 in the Joint Volumes of Papers presented to the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly 1976-77-78 Vol. 12 page 827.
2. Ibid. page 828.
3. Annual Report of the Water Resources Commission for the year ended 30 June 1979 in the Joint Volumes of Papers presented to the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly 1979-80 Vol. 7 page 1109.
4. Annual Report of the Water Resources Commission for the year ended 30 June 1980 page 10.
5. New South Wales Government Gazette Volume 4 19 December 1986 page 6267.