NRAR sets annual regulatory priorities and runs proactive campaigns. These campaigns may include new issues or cover matters that need a targeted whole-agency approach. The campaigns can be either statewide or specific to an area or region. We target areas or industries where we have reason to believe there could be a need. We utilise the expertise of our compliance teams together with data and intelligence to identify priority areas and set campaigns. Our officers do desktop assessments and visit properties. They use this information to determine how well water laws are being followed.
You can view an overview of our combined campaign outcomes on this page and explore individual reports on our 2023/24 campaigns through the links provided.
2023-24 regulatory campaigns
In 2023/24, our regulatory priorities included water metering, overdrawn accounts, and irrigated agriculture. Addressing unauthorised structures remains an enduring priority for NRAR, and in 2023-24 we also launched a campaign to improve floodplain connections.
Individual campaign reports
Overdrawn accounts report
In 2023-24 the overdrawn accounts campaign focused on identifying water accounts in NSW that had entered into a negative balance.
Irrigated agriculture report
In 2023-24 the irrigated agriculture campaign aimed to address illegal water take or storage for commercial use.
Non urban metering report
In 2023-24 the non-urban metering campaign focused on high-volume, high-risk water users who were not compliant with metering regulations.
Improving floodplain connections (IFC) report
In 2023-24 the IFC campaign focused on addressing the scale of unapproved flood works in the northern Murray Darling Basin.
Monthly metering reporting (MMR) report
In 2023-24 the MMR campaign focused on increasing the number of groundwater users reporting their take monthly in at-risk groundwater
Past campaign reports
Water-take in horticulture in the Hawkesbury-Nepean basin campaign
The Water-take in Horticulture in the Hawkesbury-Nepean basin campaign assessed the level of compliance with conditions in water-access licences (WALs) and approvals within the horticulture sector in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region.
Download and view the campaign report.
The lower Namoi and Macquarie s324 operation campaign
The lower Namoi and Macquarie s324 operation campaign assessed the level of compliance with a temporary water restriction in March 2019.
Download and view the campaign report.
The pilot Barwon, Darling campaign
The pilot Barwon, Darling campaign assessed compliance with water rules in September 2019.
Download and view the campaign report.
Operation drawdown campaign
Operation Drawdown assessed compliance with bore extraction limits detailed within water supply works approvals.
Download and view the campaign report.