REVEALED: How farmers are failing the waterways

Full list of breaches: None of the farms inspected were found to be compliant with water laws

Water regulation inspectors. Guy Ohandja Manager Compliance and audit. 30 MAY 2019

NONE of the farms visited as part of a recent water compliance campaign in Coffs Harbour were found to be fully compliant with water laws.

The majority of breaches were in relation to oversize dams - one was found to be six times the legal limit.

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has recently wrapped up phase one of its Coffs Harbour water compliance campaign.

NRAR officers inspected 10 fruit and vegetable farms in the area to get a better understanding of the level of compliance with water laws in the area.

Inspections were carried out at Korora, Woolgoolga, Bucca, Bonville, Coffs Harbour and Sandy Beach, and NRAR's Director Water Regulation (East) Greg Abood said none of the properties had been 100 per cent compliant.

"We've found a range of alleged breaches of the water laws, with oversize dams being one of the main trends," Mr Abood said.

Alleged breaches included:

• Six properties with dams significantly larger than harvestable rights, with one almost six times its harvestable right size. In total 46ML of unlawful dam storage capacity was detected.

• Five properties with bore issues - two without a licence, three used for irrigation without approval and one connected to a dam that supplies irrigation water without approval.

• On three properties, approval holders were not complying with the terms of their approval and water access licence conditions, including not keeping logbooks.

Mr Abood said where significant noncompliance was detected, NRAR officers issued statutory directions to reduce the capacity of dams, stop unauthorised use of bores and install flow meters.

"At a time when the state is struggling through one of the worst droughts on record, we are taking proactive and systematic action to ensure a level playing field in the industry," Mr Abood said.

 

The state's water regulator has released the results from phase 1 of its Coffs Harbour water compliance campaign.

"This benefits all water users and the environment."

There was some good news from the inspections - despite none of the farms being fully compliant, officers also saw good water management practices such as irrigation scheduling, water recycling and native vegetation buffers next to streams.

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Mr Abood said industry and government bodies he met with were supportive of the campaign, after presentations to Oz Group Cooperative Ltd, North Coast Blueberry Interagency Committee and Berries Australia.

Phase 2 of the campaign is already underway, with officers continuing to focus on checking dam size, bores, pumping logbooks and water take.

Mr Abood urged water users not to wait for an inspection before ensuring they were compliant with water laws.

"Take action now. We urge water users to check their licences and approvals to make sure they comply.

"Even if you didn't build the dam or sink the bore, if it's on your land you are responsible for it. By taking water illegally you are taking it from other farmers, your community and your environment, and you could be up for a penalty - or more.

"Through ongoing targeted engagement and field inspections, we will encourage the industry to act in a way that sees a notable improvement in levels of compliance with water laws in the area," Mr Abood said.

The NRAR's investigators and compliance officers travel all over the state's 57 water sharing plan areas, inspecting properties and assessing compliance with water users' licences and the Water Management Act 2000.

To make a confidential report on suspected water misuse, contact the NRAR Hotline on 1800 633 362 or email [e-mail].

For further information about NRAR and what it does, visit industry.nsw.gov.au/nrar.