Floodplain harvesting is the practice of capturing water that flows across the floodplains. This generally occurs during or after periods of heavy rain.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water are responsible for the NSW floodplain harvesting policy. The policy outlines floodplain harvesting under the existing water licensing framework.
Licensing and measurement requirements
Floodplain harvesting licence and measurement rules now apply for land within the water sharing plans for the:
- Border Rivers and Gwydir (as of 15 August 2022),
- Macquarie (as of 1 March 2023), and
- Barwon-Darling (as of 1 April 2023).
Landholders who want to floodplain harvest in these areas need a floodplain harvesting licence with a nominated and approved water supply work. They also need to have primary metering equipment installed.
The NSW Government issued floodplain harvesting licences for the Namoi Unregulated Rivers water sharing plan area on 18 March 2025. Water users have 12 months from that date to install compliant primary metering equipment. To floodplain harvest in this region during this initial 12-month period, primary metering equipment can be installed. If not, at least a secondary metering device, such as a gauge board or an approved automated measurement device, must be.
Licences in the Namoi Regulated Rivers water sharing plan area are still to be determined.
What is NRAR’s compliance approach?
NRAR is responsible for enforcing the floodplain harvesting rules. We will find and investigate those who may have broken the water rules.
We use satellites and other tools to monitor water users who are capturing water from floodplains.
We will check the compliance status of storages in each region as the compliance dates pass.
In licensed valleys:
Water users who breach the floodplain harvesting rules may be subject to enforcement action by NRAR. This includes capturing water from the floodplains without a licence and compliant metering equipment.
We will use our discretion when investigating unlawful floodplain harvesting. Each case will be assessed on its merits.
We consider the potential harm caused, the culpability of the offender, the history of the offender and their attitude towards compliance.
In unlicensed valleys:
NRAR will continue to ensure all water taken in NSW follows the rules of the Water Management Act 2000. This means it is taken under the terms and conditions of a relevant licence, approval, exemption or basic landholder right.
Satellites help us monitor floodplains
Satellites, high-definition aerial photography and smart data ensure it is almost impossible to take water in NSW without NRAR knowing about it. This video shows how this is done.
There are more than a thousand water storages in the northern basin area of NSW and they can prevent large amounts of water from moving naturally across the floodplains to the Barwon-Darling River system.
After a major rain event, NRAR can use satellites and other remote sensing technology to see if water has been diverted illegally from the floodplain and stored in one of these dams.
Frequently asked questions
How do water users comply with floodplain harvesting rules?
Floodplain harvesting licences let water users capture and store water as it flows across the floodplain. However, these licences come with significant obligations.
Water users with licences to floodplain harvest must measure and report their water take. They need to follow the conditions on their linked water supply works approval. Typically, this requires the installation and certification of metering equipment in line with the floodplain harvesting measurement framework.
Without the right licences and approvals, water users can’t capture and store water from floodplains.
What metering equipment do I need to install?
Primary metering equipment: Water users have 12 months from the start of the licensing framework in their valley to install primary metering equipment. This equipment measures and sends data in almost real-time. It reports the volume of water in a storage, or the amount taken from the floodplain.
Secondary metering equipment: Water users who intend to floodplain harvest in the first 12 months after the licensing framework starts can install primary metering equipment. If not, they need to use at least a secondary metering device such as a gauge board or an approved automated measurement device. If secondary metering equipment is not installed, they must not take water from the floodplain during this interim period.
What technology is used to monitor compliance?
NRAR uses satellites and smart data to determine how much water is taken into and out of on-farm water storages.
This technology lets us track water volume changes in on-farm storages every five days. If needed, we can also check it daily.
After heavy rain, we can see if water has been diverted from the floodplain into an on-farm dam or surge area. We can also measure how much water is stored.
We compare this data to the floodplain harvesting entitlement and any other entitlements. This helps us determine if the water taken follows relevant licence and approval conditions.
What action will NRAR take when someone breaks the rules?
We respond to non-compliance in different ways. It depends on the potential harm to the environment or other water users. We also consider the offender’s culpability, past compliance, and their attitude to following the rules.
Compliance responses vary in severity. They include:
- guidance and education material
- advisory letters
- warnings
- penalty notices
- statutory directions
- stop work orders
- licence suspension/cancellation
- prosecution.
We are a firm but fair regulator and will consider each case on its merits. We also work with water users and the wider community to help them understand and follow the water rules.
We encourage floodplain licence holders to be proactive in measuring their take and sticking to their limits.
How can I find out more about floodplain harvesting?
For more information about the floodplain harvesting rules visit the Department’s website.
For assistance with floodplain harvesting licences and approvals contact WaterNSW or visit the WaterNSW website.