Irrigated agriculture, non-urban metering and overdrawn accounts are all on the hit list for the state’s water regulator in the year ahead. 

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has released their priorities for the 2023-24 period, focusing on problem areas of previous years. 

“With data from the field, satellite imagery, public reports and expert advice, we're able to identify problem areas or behaviours to focus our efforts on,” NRAR Chief Regulatory Officer Grant Barnes said. 

Across the northern inland, data from previous years show that there is progress to be made. 

The compliance of non-urban metering - which has recently seen the additional requirement of a new, specific metre - is as high as 26 per cent in the Gwydir Valley, and as low as 13 per cent compliance in the Barwon, Darling and West.

The deadline for compliance in the area was December 2021. 

Compliance in the Macquarie-Castlereagh Basin was at 25 per cent, and 21 per cent in the Namoi. 

Despite clear work needed to improve local compliance, the priorities for the year ahead will also make considerations for the changing weather conditions, preparing for below average rainfall and above average temperatures. 

The dry weather has historically drawn a spotlight to illegal water use and take, including non-compliant storage in irrigated agriculture and people taking more water than they’re allowed. 

“The chance of detecting illegal water take has never been greater,” Mr Barnes said. 

“We want to reassure communities that NRAR remains focused on addressing the most pressing water compliance issues.”

New rules for some

For water users in the Gwydir Valley and Border Rivers water sharing areas, floodplain harvesting now requires compliant metering equipment to be installed by a qualified installer. 

“Licence holders in these areas have had a year to comply with the new rules, but we understand there are some barriers, such as a shortage of qualified installers and difficulties getting equipment,” NRAR Director of Education and Engagement Keeley Reynolds said. 

“We do expect water users to make every effort to comply by their deadline, but we will discuss any problems that they’ve faced and take them into consideration.”

"However, if they choose to capture water from a floodplain without a licence or without compliant metering equipment, they may be subject to enforcement action by NRAR regardless of those barriers,” Ms Reynolds said. 

NRAR has warned that penalties for non-compliance will increase in severity for those continuing to break rules.