Water regulator to visit properties in Narrabri as part of compliance campaign

Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) officers will visit properties in Narrabri over the coming weeks to check compliance with metering rules.

Water users with medium to large-sized pumps or bores in Narrabri needed to install accurate meters that have been independently validated by certified meter installers by December 1, 2021.

Some of those pumps are also required to transmit data about water taken to a central database.

Gregory Abood, director of water regulation at NRAR, said he hopes to find water users doing the right thing when the regulator visits properties in Narrabri.

“Water entitlements in NSW are worth almost $30 billion per year and meters are the best way to protect this asset on behalf of the people of NSW and the environment,” said Mr Abood.

The deadline applied to all works, including pumps 100mm and above and bores 200mm and above in the Macquarie, Gwydir, Namoi, Border Rivers and Barwon-Darling regions.

The deadline also applied to some at-risk groundwater sources and smaller pumps with existing metering conditions.

“We understand some water users are grappling with floods and shipping delays, however, we expect everyone to have made a reasonable effort to comply,” Mr Abood said.

“We are a firm but fair regulator and will consider each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

“Water users who have, at a minimum, a formal agreement or contract with a certified meter installer will be safe from penalties.

“Those who can’t provide this evidence can expect to receive fines and legal directions to comply.

“We also recognise alternative pathways to compliance, for example, those who have an existing meter that is accurate can have it certified by a qualified professional.”

Rod Carr, director of Marsden Jacob Associates, a leading natural resources economic advisory firm, wants farmers to consider how valuable the data a meter provides can be to their business.

“High accuracy meters help farmers understand the efficiency of their water management systems, identify opportunities to optimise water use, and make well-informed management decisions.”

“Manual checking is a thing of the past. Farmers can now receive real-time alerts on their mobile phone when the farm has enough water.

This means they are reducing waste and saving money, while also improving yield and quality,” said Mr Carr.

Water users who are unsure if the rules apply to them, or what they need to do can use the

Department of Planning and Environment’s online metering guidance tool to get real-time answers to their questions.