The Border Rivers region of NSW has higher compliance with floodplain harvesting laws than other parts of NSW, a program by the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has shown.
Among the four river valleys included in the education program, the Border Rivers stood out with more than 86% of 92 active dams compliant with the measurement rules.
By contrast, 58% of active floodplain harvesting dams across the other three valleys followed the measurement rules.
The NRAR education and engagement program monitored 576 floodplain harvesting dams across the river valleys – Border Rivers, Gwydir, Macquarie and Barwon-Darling.
The regulator found that 362 (63%) of the dams were fully compliant. Another 78 (14%) were progressing toward compliance and 136 (24%) were not meeting the rules at all.
The Gwydir Valley also had sound results. This region had the largest number of floodplain harvesting water storages (233), with 73% of those dams compliant.
The Barwon Darling valley had 21 compliant dams out of 54 active storages (about 29%). In the Macquarie valley, 33% of active storages met requirements (35 of 100).
NRAR Director Education and Engagement Keeley Reynolds said the Border Rivers was ahead of the pack when it came to complying with the rules, but there was still a bit to do to achieve full compliance across the state.
“For more than two years, our staff worked directly with water users and community groups to make sure they understood the floodplain harvesting measurement rules, and pleasingly most users in the Border Rivers have done the right thing,” Ms Reynolds said.
“However, it’s clear we have more to do to make sure this important water reform is followed across the state,” she said.
Ms Reynolds said licensing the take of water from floodplains ensured there were sustainable limits on the extraction of water.
“That means better water management in NSW, and better outcomes for communities, the environment and industry.”
Ms Reynolds said 2026 marked a turning point in how NRAR oversees floodplain harvesting.
“NRAR’s initial education approach has laid the groundwork,” she said.
“The time has come for NRAR to take stronger action to ensure people comply,” she said.
NRAR officers are expected to start on ground compliance checks across the state in coming months, starting with the Gwydir Valley region soon.
“One of the biggest advances for the regulator from this project was expanding our ability to monitor the movement of flood water through satellites and the latest earth observation tools.
“These technologies give us the clearest picture yet of what happens on the ground and help us identify potential risks earlier.
“If people do the wrong thing, we’ll know.”
Media Release: Natural Resources Access Regulator
