Free telemetry program expanded

Up to 4,000 more water users are now eligible to apply for free telemetry and installation, saving them significant out-of-pocket costs and helping them become compliant with metering rules.

The state-of-the-art devices automatically track and transmit water usage data, providing farmers and landholders real-time insights and reducing the need for manual reporting.

Earlier this year, the $10.5 million Telemetry Uplift Program was announced which will deliver free telemetry devices to more than 2,500 groundwater and surface water sites across the NSW Murray-Darling Basin.

We have now expanded eligibility to include regulated water users, in addition to those extracting from groundwater and unregulated river sources across the Basin. All water users must have an annual entitlement of 100ML or greater to be eligible.

We urge those who qualify to act now by visiting the website to register their interest to ensure they don’t miss out.

The program aims to boost the state’s water monitoring and management, ease costs for water users, and help NSW fast-track its metering reforms.

Telemetry supports sustainable water use by sending real-time data to water management agencies once a day, ensuring licensed water taken from inland regional water sources is extracted fairly, equitably and according to the rules.

Accurate monitoring is crucial for water resource planning and by simplifying compliance and reducing the need for manual reports, it saves licence holders time and money.

We expect telemetry installations to begin in the middle of the year. For more information visit the Telemetry Uplift Program.

NSW DCCEEW Director of Metering and Licensing Dan Connor said:

“We’re excited to open up this program to even more water users, which will deliver them significant hip pocket savings while boosting NSW's already robust metering and monitoring network.

“We’ve seen strong interest, but this expansion opens the doors for thousands more in the regulated system to reap the benefits and get compliant.

“We will be providing 2,500 free telemetry devices, along with installation and a generous defects warranty period, to those eligible over the next two years.

“Anyone interested can learn more on our website, and those who qualify can opt-in quickly in under 5 minutes by submitting an online form.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for water users to save time and money and comply with the rules, all while strengthening the state’s ability to accurately measure water taken from the Basin, which benefits everyone.

“We invite all larger regulated, unregulated and groundwater users within the Murray-Darling Basin to learn more and act now while the offer lasts.”