NRAR's regulatory priorities help us focus our efforts on activities that pose the greatest risk to water resources, communities and the environment.
We use data, satellite intelligence, community feedback, and our experience to spot these risks. This helps us direct our resources where they can have the greatest impact.
Our priorities may change over time as risks emerge, conditions change, or projects are completed.
Aboriginal cultural water values
Aboriginal cultural water values are considered in all of NRAR’s regulatory priorities and day to day operations.
Find out more about our commitment to Aboriginal cultural water values.
Priority projects
Priority projects focus on specific compliance risks that need targeted action.
Through these projects, we work to:
- understand compliance risks
- support water users to meet their obligations
- work with communities and stakeholders
- take enforcement action when needed
- improve compliance and protect water resources.
Current priority projects
Southern Murray Darling Basin permanent plantings
Why this project matters
Permanent plantings such as nut, citrus, stone fruit, olives, avocados, and grape vines require regular water year‑round. As water demand rises and conditions get drier, water availability may drop. This can lead to a higher risk of rule breaking. It is important that water is taken and used according to NSW water laws.
What we’re doing
NRAR is using a three-part approach to reduce risks and prevent non-compliance. We are working with growers downstream of the Barmah Narrows/Dunggula on the Murray River.
- Education and early warning: Providing guidance, resources and early warnings
- Increased monitoring: Using water account reviews, remote sensing and risk analysis
- Early intervention where needed: Reach out to water users, visit sites, tackle risks before problems arise, and act against non-compliance.
Project updates
Project information and updates will be published here. Outcomes will be published here
Coastal metering
Why this project matters
Metering gives a clear view of water usage. It helps make sure that all usage is recorded correctly. Measuring water use accurately is key to better water management. It helps protect water sources in NSW.
This project aims to educate large coastal water users about metering rules. It also seeks to boost compliance before the December 1 2026 deadline.
What we're doing
NRAR is working to:
- raise awareness of the metering requirements
- support water users to understand their obligations and options to comply
- improve confidence in water measurement and reporting.
Project updates
More information can be found here. Links to reports, updates and outcomes will be published here.
Non-urban metering - top 400
Why this project matters
This project aims to increase compliance with the metering rules for the 400 largest water users (top 400).
The top 400 account for about 72% of all NSW-licensed water entitlements subject to the non-urban metering rules.
Achieving a high level of compliance for this group will help ensure the majority of licensed water take in NSW is accurately measured, recorded and reported.
What we're doing
NRAR is assessing the top 400 licences and related works to confirm their metering compliance status.
This involves desktop assessments and, when necessary, field inspections.
Where compliance or exemption status is confirmed, our officers will work with the approval holder, and WaterNSW or NSW DCCEEW Water Group to ensure licensing records are updated to reflect this.
If we find non-compliance, our officers will issue suitable and fair enforcement action.
Project updates
Outcomes will be published here
How we decide on our priority projects
We use a risk-based approach to identify and respond to emerging compliance issues and focus on the most important problems first. We use expert knowledge, data and new technology to find and fix issues.
We look at:
- places or activities where rules are often broken
- risks to the environment and other water users
- how serious and fixable the problem is
- weather events or seasonable factors that may make the issue worse
- where we can make the biggest positive change.
In 2025, we introduced a new, more flexible approach to managing our priorities. Instead of following a strict annual cycle, we now respond to risks as they arise and set project deadlines that support meaningful improvements. This shift allows us to focus our efforts where they are needed most and adapt to changing circumstance.
Past priority projects
We review and update our priorities on an ongoing basis to account for new developments in our data and analytical tools.
Previous annual priorities can be found below.