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FOREWORD
The Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) region currently has a population of approximately 1.3 million people and continues to grow. A combination of factors including population growth in the SCCG region, combined with tighter water restrictions placed on Sydney residents, triggered SCCG to investigate the issues and needs surrounding alternative water supplies, of which groundwater was the main option considered. Throughout 2004, it became apparent to the SCCG that there was increased interest from residents, industry and Local Government in: Obtaining information on Sydneys groundwater resources. Using groundwater resources as an alternative water supply. Improving the understanding and knowledge of sustainable groundwater management within Local Government. In response to these emerging groundwater issues across the region, the SCCG undertook a survey of its member Councils. The survey sought information with respect to the SCCG member Councils major needs and issues, particularly with a view to addressing how groundwater is currently considered in the assessment of development proposals. The survey identified a number of important needs and issues on which SCCG member Councils sought further advice and clarification. Most notably was the question of when, or indeed if, the integrated development assessment process is triggered by proposals with regard to groundwater issues. SCCG formed a Groundwater Working Group in April 2004 to address issues identified in the groundwater survey. The philosophy behind the development of the Handbook was to: Provide Councils and other stakeholders with a document that deals specifically with the management and assessment of groundwater resources. Provide Councils with a document that provides clear technical information to guide professional staff through the assessment process. Provide additional education resources for representatives from industry and the community. As a result of the survey and contributions from Groundwater Working Group members, SCCG has developed this Groundwater Management Handbook A Guide for Local Government. The Handbook is focussed on the member Council areas included in the SCCG region, in particular the geological and hydrogeological settings that dictate the patterns of groundwater occurrence. Because these settings are specific to the SCCG region, much of the discussion in the Handbook may not be relevant to other areas of the state. However, parts of the Handbook dealing with legislation and information that have carriage state-wide could conceivably be utilised by other Councils in the development of their own guidance documents. Councils of the SCCG region are encouraged to adopt or develop the information in this Handbook into their core planning and environmental management systems. This will promote recognition of the importance of local and regional groundwater resources, the protection of groundwater dependent ecosystems, the prevention of contamination and will encourage sustainable use.

Groundwater Management Handbook September 2006 First Edition