Water regulator here to help you comply

Helping Riverina water users better understand the state's water laws is the focus of the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) at this year's Henty Machinery Field Days.

Data gathered by NRAR in the first half of 2023 highlights that some Riverina water users are struggling to comply with the rules.

Between January and June 2023, NRAR finalised 38 investigations across the region. The most common alleged offences were relating to metering issues and flood works.

Alleged offences around having illegal dams and related to groundwater and bores were the next most common.

NRAR Education Manager, Sarah Flowers says helping and encouraging people into voluntarily compliance is a key part of NRAR’s approach to regulation.

"We believe the most effective way to deter breaches of NSW water laws is to make compliance as easy as it can be” Ms Flowers says.

“Coming to field days like Henty means water users can talk face-to-face with our expert staff and have the time necessary to ask all of their compliance questions.”

The Riverina is part of the Murrumbidgee Water Sharing Plan (WSP) which is bordered by the Great Dividing Range, and the Lachlan and Murray catchments.

This WSP is home to the Murrumbidgee River, one of Australia's major rivers which many communities such as Cooma and Wagga Wagga rely on as their main source of water.

NRAR staff will be at site 794 in block Q, and they look forward to offering water users friendly advice about the tools needed to comply with licences and approvals, basic landholder rights and water metering requirements.

“NRAR officers work hard to reduce the complexity of water law by providing information in plain English and tailored to the circumstances of the individual.” says Ms Flowers.

“We can also show landholders how to access current licences or approvals. A 15-minute chat with our team can ensure you’re playing your part in helping all water users, communities and the environment get a fair share of the state's precious water resources.”

NRAR staff will be on-site at Henty Machinery Field Days 19-21 September 2023.