Children at remote schools benefit from funding boost

Children at remote primary schools along the Darling-Baaka River have learned more about river ecology thanks to an enforcement action by the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR).

Western Landcare NSW delivered the education program with funding from an enforceable undertaking (EU) between NRAR and an irrigator who significantly exceeded their bore extraction limit.

Schools that have benefited so far include Palinyewah and Pomona Public Schools just north of Wentworth, Wilcannia Central School and the nearby St Therese’s Community Parish School, St Patrick’s Parish School in Brewarrina, St Ignatius Parish School in Bourke and Bourke Public School.

The program will continue in other schools during May.

Children took part in a range of activities and learned about water bug surveys, pests and native fish species, and river ecology near their schools.  

NRAR accepted the legally binding agreement offer from the irrigator in 2021.  

Under the terms of the agreement, the company forfeited some water entitlements and paid costs of more than $73,000.  

These costs included the $10,000 donation to Western Landcare for an environmental project.  

NRAR Chief Regulatory Officer, Grant Barnes said enforceable undertakings were designed to benefit the community and the environment.  

"They typically deliver real benefits to local communities and often this happens close to where the offending is alleged to have happened," Mr Barnes said.  

"We are delighted that this EU has resulted in valuable learning for kids at some of the state's remote schools," he said.  

"We use EUs when a company or individual breaches NSW water laws in a significant way.  

“An EU is sometimes proposed to NRAR to remedy a breach as an alternative to court action."  

Mr Barnes said the EU should contain actions to address the rule breaking and to acknowledge the breach of the Water Management Act 2000..  

"When we decide if an EU is the right course of action, we consider what happened, how serious it was and whether there is a history of rule breaking.    

“An EU will not be accepted unless NRAR considers it can deliver positive outcomes in the public interest in accordance with our guidelines."

Mr Barnes said all undertakings agreed to in the EU had now been complied with.  

Five EUs were finalised in the 2021-22 financial year with a range of outcomes and conditions, such as the Darling-Baaka education program and improvements to a community park at Hay.

Other enforceable undertakings are under consideration.