DEECA

About the area

  • The Leongatha Groundwater Management Area (GMA) covers an older volcanic rock aquifer, and extends through the townships of Leongatha and Leongatha South.
  • The water authority responsible for managing groundwater in the Leongatha GMA is Southern Rural Water.
  • The Leongatha GMA Local Management Plan applies to groundwater resources for all formations below the surface.
  • More information on groundwater management can be found on the Southern Rural WaterExternal Link website.

Table 1: Groundwater level trends, Leongatha GMA

Groundwater restrictions

There were no restrictions on licensed use for the Leongatha GMA in 2021-22.

Entitlements and use

Groundwater entitlements have been issued for licensed (non-urban) use and urban supply to Leongatha in the Leongatha GMA. Groundwater is also available for domestic and stock use.

Entitlement volumes

Table 2: Groundwater entitlements at 30 June, Leongatha GMA

Available water and use

The table below shows the total water available and used under entitlements, and estimated domestic and stock use in 2021-22. Total water available under entitlements is the sum of: opening carryover, allocation issued and the net of the in/out trade of water.

Estimated domestic and stock use is calculated based on an assumed usage per registered bore per year. In this GMA, 1.5 ML usage per bore per year is assumed.

More information on groundwater use and availability has been detailed in the How do we account for groundwaterExternal Link section.

Table 3: Groundwater availability and use, Leongatha GMA

Compliance

Compliance against water entitlements is reported for this groundwater management unit (GMU) in two areas:

  • entitlement issued: the volume of entitlements issued in the GMU does not exceed relevant PCVs or has not increased without appropriate approvals
  • water extracted: the volume of water taken under entitlements during the year does not exceed the total water available to licence holders.

Key points on compliance against entitlements

Entitlement volume did not exceed the PCV

The volume of entitlements (1,813 ML) in the Leongatha GMA did not exceed the PCV (6,500 ML).

Total volume extracted under licences was within the available volume

The total volume extracted under licences (41 ML) was within the volume available for the year (1,813 ML).

Table 4: PCV vs total entitlement volumes, Leongatha GMA

Management responsibilities

Management of water in the Leongatha GMA is undertaken by Southern Rural Water.

AuthorityManagement responsibilities
Southern Rural Water
  • Manages groundwater resources.
  • Developing and implementing groundwater management plans.
  • Issues licences for groundwater use, bore construction, and surface water diversions.
  • Administers domestic and stock use.