The Inspector-General of Water Compliance has launched an audit into how water taken through floodplain harvesting is measured and monitored across New South Wales, citing slow progress on metering and continued reliance on estimates.
Floodplain harvesting is the collection of water that runs across land after rainfall or flooding, including water that has risen naturally to the surface from underground. It is an important component of water take across the Murray-Darling Basin due to its role in maintaining hydrological connectivity and supporting environmental flows, accounting for about 5 per cent of water taken across the basin between 2021 and 2024, around 571 gigalitres a year. In many areas it is estimated using water models rather than directly measured, which the office says undermines confidence in water take data.
The audit will examine meter coverage, meter accuracy, data integrity, and how the impact of floodplain harvesting on water availability is being managed. It will focus on the NSW Border Rivers, Barwon-Darling, and Macquarie-Castlereagh surface water resource plan areas, where floodplain harvesting licences have been issued and water resource plans accredited.
Only 58 per cent of floodplain harvesting storages across the five NSW valleys were compliant as of June 2026, despite assurances given during water resource plan accreditation.
Inspector-General of Water Compliance Troy Grant said the audit would test whether NSW was delivering on those commitments.
“This audit aligns with my strategic priorities as the independent Inspector General to ensure that water measurement is trustworthy and water resource plans are being implemented,” Mr Grant said.
“It will focus on meter coverage, meter accuracy data integrity and how the impact of floodplain harvesting activity on water availability is being managed.”
“It is critical to making sure every drop counts.”
“A lack of confidence in floodplain harvesting water take data can undermine confidence in assessments of compliance, including compliance with sustainable diversion limits and broader water management decisions in NSW,” Mr Grant said.
“My audit will examine whether commitments made by NSW at the time of water resource plan accreditation are being delivered, particularly those relating to floodplain harvesting measurement, metering coverage and accuracy and data integrity.”
The audit is expected to run over coming months, with preliminary findings presented to the Inspector-General in late 2026 and a final report due in early 2027. It is the first audit of its type into floodplain harvesting undertaken by the office.
More information is available at igwc.gov.au.
Something going on in your part of the New England people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au