29 March 2025
The NSW Government has officially granted Rous a new Town Water Access Licence for the deep Clarence Moreton Basin sub-aquifer, located beneath the more widely used Alstonville Basalt Plateau aquifer.
The licence was approved by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water as part of the state’s regulated water management system, which ensures water is shared fairly and used sustainably.
This marks an important step forward in supporting our region’s future growth with long-term water security. The new source will form part of Rous’ broader Alstonville Plateau Water Supply Scheme, which will also include surface water from the Marom Creek weir. The scheme will be developed progressively over the several years to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for our region, especially during dry years.
The new licence coincides with the successful completion of Rous’s verification program for the Clarence Moreton Basin sub-aquifer. This was a sustained pumping test carried out over several months using Rous’ 220m deep bore. This testing was important to confirm how much water can be sustainably withdrawn from the aquifer without impacting nearby water sources or the environment.
Results from the testing showed that there appeared to be no inter-connection between the deep Clarence Moreton Basin sub-aquifer and the shallower Alstonville Basalt Plateau aquifer. That means extraction from the deeper source will not affect existing groundwater users. Water quality testing also confirmed that water from the sub-aquifer is suitable for treatment and use in the town water supply. The new licence and verification of the sub-aquifer are key milestones in making sure our region has the water security it needs for the future.
