New water regulator wastes no time in water prosecutions

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has issued a number of charges in the north and south-west of NSW for various alleged water offences.

The NRAR is the new independent water regulator in NSW. It started operations on April 30, after an outcry over alleged water deals in northern NSW exposed by the ABC’s Four Corners program.

The NRAR Chief Regulatory Officer, Grant Barnes said “NSW Communities want a fair, transparent and enforceable water compliance system to prevent water theft and ensure equitable water use, and that’s exactly what we are delivering.

“Across the state, we have more compliance officers out working with water licence holders to ensure they are aware of their obligations for accessing and using water. During drought, protecting this precious resource is vital.”

NRAR  said it was pursuing the following cases:

●      A Moree company has been charged with water theft offences. It is alleged the company, involved in irrigation, took water from a river while metering equipment was not working, an offence against section 91I(2) of the Water Management Act 2000.  It is further alleged they constructed and used a channel to convey water without approval, offences against section 91B or in alternative s91L of the Water Management Act 2000. The maximum penalty for each offence is $1,100,000. They will appear in Land and Environment Court in Sydney on 7 September 2018. 

●      A Carinda man has been charged with using a channel to convey water without approval, an offence against s91B of the Water Management Act 2000. The maximum penalty for the offence is $247,500. The man will appear in Land and Environment Court in Sydney on 7 September 2018. 

●      Two men have been charged with water theft offences on properties in Walgett and Mallowa. It is alleged they were involved in taking water from a river while metering equipment was not working, an offence against section 91I(2) of the Water Management Act 2000. The maximum penalty for each offence is $247,500. They will appear in Land and Environment Court in Sydney on 14 September 2018. 

●      A 35-year-old man from Carinda in Northern NSW alleged he provided false and misleading information to water investigators. He will appear in Walgett Local Court on 24 August 2018. The maximum penalty in a local court for this offence, against s340A of the Water Management Act 2000, is $22,000.

●      Two men have been charged after they allegedly carried out controlled activities on the Murray River near Corowa. It is alleged they undertook works along the river bank, on waterfront land, without a controlled activity approval. The 57-year-old man from Toolern Vale, Victoria has been charged with three offences against 91E of the Water Management Act 2000.  The 51-year-old man from Corowa, NSW has been charged with two offences against 91E of the Water Management Act 2000.  They will appear in Albury Local Court on 27 August 2018. The maximum penalty in a local court for each offence is $22,000.

Mr Barnes said the NRAR is a fair but firm regulator that “won’t hesitate to take the appropriate action when breaches of the law occur”.

“With widespread drought conditions being experienced across NSW it is especially important that all water users familiarise themselves with their licence conditions and their current water account balances to avoid any potential breaches,” he said.

The NRAR Hotline is 1800 633 362.