Water regulator identifies top priorities for the year
People who have previously broken the rules, those still without compliant non-urban water meters, and some groundwater users can expect to interact with the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) in the next year.
The water regulator has announced it will focus on metering, water take reporting in at-risk groundwater sources and compliance reinspections in 2024-25.
NRAR’s Director of Innovation, Systems and Intelligence Margaret Sexton said the regulator’s annual priorities aim to solve the problems that have the greatest impact on compliance and water management in NSW.
“This year’s priorities identify and target the problem activities, areas and industries that have high potential to cause harm to the environment or surrounding community” Ms Sexton said.
“They also make a clear statement to the regulated water community that NRAR remains focused on addressing the most pressing water compliance issues” Ms Sexton added.
NRAR selects its annual regulatory priorities based on the unique risks and issues facing water users in the year ahead, as well as forecasted climatic and economic conditions.
“With very wet La Niña conditions possible after winter, the main focus for us will be improving compliance with water laws before future dry periods inevitably arrive” Ms Sexton said.
"We want to reassure communities that NRAR is committed to delivering sustainable and fair water regulation for NSW” she said.
NRAR’s annual priorities for 2024-25 are:
Non-urban metering reform implementation:
Accurate and reliable metering of water take is essential to the integrity of water management in NSW. NRAR will continue its efforts to drive metering compliance rates higher. As a risk-based regulator, we will maintain our focus on ensuring high-volume active works are compliant. NRAR is a firm but fair regulator and we will consider each individual situation on its merits.
Recording and reporting in at-risk groundwater sources:
Groundwater is a finite resource that supports towns, agriculture and important ecosystems. Because we can’t see groundwater, we also can’t see the damage that’s being done. NRAR will focus on reporting water take in at-risk groundwater sources. Increasing compliance with the requirement to record and report groundwater take will help shed light on how much this precious resource is used and relied on.
Compliance reinspections:
Enforcement actions help ensure there’s enough water for the environment, communities and industries to thrive. NRAR will check on those who have faced enforcement actions in the past to see if they are now following water laws. If serious acts of non-compliance continued, severe enforcement action will likely follow to prevent harm to other water users and the environment. Our follow-up actions demonstrate that enforcing the rules isn't just something we do once but is an ongoing effort to ensure all water users comply with the rules.
NRAR’s annual priorities are chosen each year and contribute to the regulator’s three-year strategic plan. For more information visit: www.nrar.nsw.gov.au/about-us/our-strategy
