Roy Butler calls for reinstatement of water access public notices in country newspapers

State Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, is calling for the state government to reinstate the publication of water access public notices in country newspapers.

Mr Butler’s call-to-action comes after WaterNSW and the Natural Resources Access Regulator advised that changes had been made in regards to the publication of public notices in country newspapers.

The two bodies published a notice in The Courier recently advising of the change.

Previously, applications made to those agencies were required by law to be published in country newspapers, including The Courier.

“Under recent amendments to Clause 26 Section 7 of the Water Management (General) Regulations 2018, applications made to the respective agencies that require advertising will no longer need to be featured in newspapers,” the public notice read.

Mr Butler wrote to the new Minister for Lands and Water, Tamworth-based MP Kevin Anderson, asking for the decision to be investigated and reversed.

“These advertisements are the key way locals become aware of a change that they may have a right to object to,” Mr Butler said.

“Additionally it is another attack on the advertising revenue of local papers.

“I have asked the new Minister for Water to overturn the decision on the grounds of damage to public confidence.

The office of Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson was contacted for comment.