You will need this licence if you intend to obtain a share in a water source within an area covered by a Water Sharing Plan. A Water Access Licence (WAL) provides a clearly defined entitlement to the water that is separate from land ownership and provides access to the available water governed by a Water Sharing Plan. Water Sharing Plans establish rules for sharing water between environmental needs and water users, and also between different types of water use such as town supply, stock watering, industry and irrigation and rural domestic supply.
Please be aware that generally new WALs for commercial purposes (irrigation, industry and mining) are no longer being granted. Instead, if you want to obtain a permanent share of water, you will have to purchase an existing licence on the water market.
