New South Wales Member Regional Update | May 2025 New

Date: 01-May-2025

Welcome to the latest New South Wales Member Regional Update, where you’ll find the latest updates, events, and insights shaping the irrigation industry across the region. The aim of each edition is to provide you with valuable regional news and the opportunity to stay connected with our vibrant community.

Your New South Wales committee has met once this calendar year but there have been a number of subsequent meetings with a sub-group attempting to address changes made in November 2024 to the requirements for Water Plumbing – Urban Irrigation Licences, increasing the training burden required to achieve a licence as well as adding confusion to the process for signing off applicants as competent.

There have been two meetings since with the Department of Fair Trading with the most recent being 9 April. The discussions were positive with the Department willing to consider suitable compromises.

A formal submission has been drafted and is undergoing final review before lodgement early May.

Welcome to our newest members who have joined Irrigation Australia over the past six months! We’re excited to have you as part of our community and look forward to working together to advance water management and irrigation excellence across Australia.

LandFlux Survey and Design
Syngenta Macspred
Mr Mark. L

Important updates from NRAR – Penalties, Compliance Reports, and free Water Law Course

On the 16th of October, the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) released the following update, aimed at enhancing water law compliance and supporting sustainable water management across our region:

1. Increased penalty notice amounts for water law offences:

The NSW Minister for Water has approved higher penalty notice amounts and introduced a new approach to valuing water taken illegally under Section 60G of the Water Management Act 2000. This update reflects the seriousness of water law offences and aligns with similar measures in other jurisdictions. Stakeholders have voiced a strong desire for action against water theft, and this increase is a positive step toward equitable water management.

2. Latest valley compliance reports now available:

NRAR’s valley compliance reports for the past two quarters are now live on their compliance activity dashboard, offering detailed insights into specific valleys and recent enforcement actions. Additionally, reporting frequency will shift to twice per year (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter) to provide timely updates.

NRAR has also included case studies to give context on enforcement actions, responding to stakeholder feedback.
NRAR Media Release on Valley Compliance Reports

3. Free online water law course now available:

NRAR’s new online water law course is a fantastic resource to help members better understand water regulations, supporting productive and efficient water use while reducing compliance risks. This free, user-friendly tool is designed to promote a collaborative approach between industry and the regulator. Please share this valuable resource with your members to foster compliance and water sustainability.

Access the Free Water Law Course

Change to local intelligence device vendor list and reporting data

WaterNSW has issued important updates regarding a change to the local intelligence device (LID) vendor list and LID reporting data:

Change to local intelligence device (LID) vendor list

As of 30 October 2024, SigSense will be removed as a LID vendor option from the DQP Portal. Please do not select SigSense as a LID vendor for any new site registrations in the DQP Portal, as this will be rejected. This is a result of the recent operational changes at SigSense.

For any enquiries such as warranty and replacement options for the Captis LID, please direct requests to the original manufacturer, Kallipr by email at Support@kallipr.com.au.

LID reporting data

Please be reminded that all data recorded from a LID will continue to be displayed in Eastern Standard Time (EST), regardless of Daylight-Saving Time (DST) being in effect in New South Wales.

Get to Know the Basics: ‘An Introduction to Water’ by the NSW Water Group

Looking to build or refresh your understanding of water management? The NSW Water Group has launched a fantastic online resource called An Introduction to Water, perfect for anyone wanting to get to grips with the fundamentals.

This educational series covers key topics like:

How surface water quality is managed in NSW
The importance of groundwater as a resource
Why river connectivity is essential for healthy ecosystems
Explanations around water allocations, basic landholder rights, water sharing plans, and more

Each topic is clearly explained, making it a valuable tool for landholders, students, professionals, or anyone interested in how water is managed across the state. The series also highlights the NSW Water Group’s role and responsibilities, giving a clearer picture of how water policy and management decisions are made.

With more educational content on the way in 2025, this is definitely a resource to bookmark.

NSW Sporting Fields Best Practice Guidelines released

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has announced the release of Best Practice Guidelines for Sporting Fields – A Guide for Climate-Resilient Playing Surfaces in New South Wales.

These guidelines serve as a resource to support the development of climate-resilient playing surfaces across NSW. They provide scientific evidence and practical advice to enhance the planning, design, construction, and management of community sporting fields, while also addressing common challenges.

Sport and physical activity play a vital role in health and wellbeing, while also delivering broad economic and social benefits. Sporting fields are increasingly being used as multipurpose community assets, supporting both formal and informal sport as well as passive recreation. Now is an ideal time to maximise the value of these spaces and invest in natural turf fields. With appropriate care, these fields can accommodate more activity and provide higher quality playing surfaces that are more resilient to climate extremes, such as floods and drought.

The guidelines also highlight opportunities to improve irrigation efficiency and increase the use of suitable alternative water sources, helping to reduce reliance on potable water.

The guidelines are available for download from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Best Practice Guidelines for Sporting Fields.

Latest updates from DWER

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DWER) has released the latest edition of Water News, featuring important updates and initiatives across New South Wales. Below is a summary of the key highlights. Full articles and further details are available on the Department's website.

Statewide interactive map of water projects

A new interactive map has been launched to provide a comprehensive view of water sharing plans, infrastructure projects, consultations, and funding opportunities across NSW. Stakeholders can zoom into their local area to access relevant updates.

River Styles in action

Geomorphologists are using the NSW River Styles framework to assess river health, sediment movement, and recovery potential in the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee catchments, supporting better management and restoration strategies.

Expert metering advice at field days

Field days at Tocal (2 - 4 May) and Primex Casino (15 - 17 May) will provide an opportunity for water users to seek expert advice on NSW metering rules, equipment requirements, and compliance pathways.

NSW metering rules for coastal water sources

Under new metering requirements, 95% of licensed water take must be accurately measured by December 2026. Coastal water users are encouraged to understand their obligations and prepare for upcoming compliance deadlines.

Expanded access to the free telemetry uplift program

Eligibility for the Telemetry Uplift Program has been expanded to include more water users across the Murray-Darling Basin. Regulated and unregulated water users with entitlements of 100 ML or more are now encouraged to register for a free device.

Insights into regional water use behaviours

A recent smart meter study in Ballina, Bathurst, and Dubbo has provided valuable data on household water usage patterns, informing more effective water management strategies, particularly in times of peak demand and drought.

Click here to access the full April edition of Water News and explore all articles in detail.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Ready to enhance your skills or work towards obtaining a certification? Here’s what’s coming up in New South Wales before the end of the financial year.

We are particularly keen to encourage enrolments for training commencing 2 June in Paterson – a new Certificate III in Irrigation Technology intake and co-delivered Certified Irrigation Installer short course.

This new approach is proving to be a hit – we have been getting some students coming along for the short course in other States and then having such a positive experience they’ve signed up for the full Certificate III… it’s a great way to test the water with 6 very practical units of competency all contributing towards the Certificate III.

This will be the last chance to start our trade-equivalent Certificate III qualification for some months – please note that most state government funding contracts are up for renewal after 30 June so make sure you take advantage of those significant funding incentives.

Certificate III in Irrigation Technology | Paterson | Commences 2 June 2025

Certified Irrigation Installer | Paterson | 3 - 6 June 2025

Electrofusion & Butt Welding | Paterson | 26 - 27 June 2025

We are keen to understand training priorities for your staff and how Irrigation Australia can help. If the timing isn’t right for you but you are interested in a particular course, please contact training@irrigation.org.au or submit an Expression of Interest.

Click here to view upcoming Training Courses.

Click here to view the latest Career Opportunities available within the Irrigation Industry.

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