New reporting rules for some metered water users
What's this about?
The NSW Government is introducing new reporting rules for some metered non-urban water users. NSW Government publicly exhibited these rules for public comment from 9 September to 7 October 2020.
The timely provision of information about metered water take to government is essential to give the community, including water users, confidence that water is being taken according to the rules.
What are the new rules?
Under the new rules:
- Water users with a meter who use a pump, bore or other work to take both licensed water and water that does not need a licence, such as under a basic landholder right, will need to report this water take to the Minister every month.
- Water users who have a meter but not telemetry will need to submit a ‘self-assessed’ meter reading to the Minister every month.
These water users will need to report every month, even if they do not take water. However, a water user will not need to report for a period, nominated by the water user, of up to six months if they take the following steps:
- at least 14 days before that period begins, they notify WaterNSW to confirm that they do not intend to take water for that period.
- within 14 days after that period ends, they notify WaterNSW to confirm that they did not actually take water in that period.
This will not prevent a water user from taking water during this period. However, if a water user takes water during this period, they will revert to monthly reporting requirements.
Who do the new rules affect?
The reporting rules will apply to water users with works that need to comply with by NSW’s non-urban metering rules and:
- use a single pump, bore or other work to take both licensed water and water that does not need a licence, such as water under basic landholder rights or other licence exemption, or
- do not have telemetry.
The rules do not apply to water users with works that are solely used to take water under a basic landholder right or another licence exemption.
When do the new rules come into force?
The changes will come into effect on 1 March 2021 for water users with pumps 500mm or greater that are used to take both licensed water and water that does not a licence.
For other water users affected by these rules, the changes will come into place when the non-urban metering rules commence:
- for water users in the Northern Inland - 1 December 2021
- for water users in the Southern Inland - 1 December 2022
- for water users in the Coastal region - 1 December 2023.
What did we hear during public consultation?
The NSW Government sought public comment on a draft Water Management (General) Amendment (Miscellaneous) Regulation 2020 from 9 September to 7 October 2020.
We received 42 submissions, including 20 ‘standard form’ submissions
The report summarises the outcomes of this consultation process.