Macquarie Valley water users must comply with floodplain rules by March 1 if they plan to harvest floodwater

1 February 2024

Water users in the Macquarie River water-sharing area will not be able to legally harvest floodwater without a licence and compliant metering equipment from the start of March.

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) said as of March 1, 2024, water users intending to capture water moving across a floodplain must have primary metering equipment installed by a qualified installer.

NRAR Director Education and Engagement Keeley Reynolds said the NSW Government’s reforms to control floodplain harvesting within legal limits became law in the Macquarie valley in 2023.

"Having a licence means people have the right to capture and store water as it flows across the floodplain, but it also means they have to measure and report their water take as set out in the conditions of their linked water supply works approvals,” Ms Reynolds said.

“That means installing compliant metering equipment," she said.

Ms Reynolds said NRAR would use state-of-the-art satellite technology to monitor compliance with the floodplain harvesting rules.

“NRAR’s spatial analysts will check satellite imagery of on-farm storages (pictured) over time to see when dams are being filled from storm runoff. This will be compared with rainfall data for the location and specific water licence conditions to determine if any rules have been broken.

Ms Reynolds said licence holders in the Macquarie Valley have had a year to comply with the new rules.

“We understand there are some barriers, but we expect water users to make every effort to comply by their deadline.

“We’ll 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, we may take enforcement action regardless of those barriers.”

Ms Reynolds said NRAR was committed to ensuring all water taken in NSW was done in accordance with the rules for the benefit of all communities and the environment.

“Now is the time to act so that when it rains, licenced water users are compliant and can legally capture water from the floodplain.

“Accurate measurement underpins effective management of the state’s water resources. The best way to achieve that level of accuracy is through installing telemetered metering equipment.”

From March 1, 2024, secondary metering equipment such as a gauge board or an approved automated storage volume measurement device can now only be used in these valleys if the primary metering equipment is not operating properly. Water users will also need to notify WaterNSW.

The Barwon Darling Water Sharing Plan area floodplain harvesting meter deadline of April 1, 2024 is also approaching.