NRAR monitoring program to begin in Armidale

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) will triple the number of site inspections it carries out thanks to an increase in on-ground personnel under its new Routine Monitoring Program.

A pilot program to test the new systems and processes for the 30 new NRAR recruits has begun this week with Armidale water users.

NRAR’s Chief Regulatory Officer Grant Barnes said the aim of the pilot program was to make the routine monitoring visits as seamless as possible for water users.

“This week, NRAR will be working with landholders in Armidale as part of a broader plan to build compliance through education and collaboration,” he said.

“In the last month we have recruited 30 new routine monitoring officers from Dubbo, Tamworth and Deniliquin and our work in Armidale will inform their training before they take on their roles.

“Armidale water users visited will be playing a significant part in NRAR’s work of ensuring fair and equitable water management in NSW.”

When NRAR officers visit the landholders this week they will be checking water licences and approvals are being complied with.

Mr Barnes said landholders will be contacted before the visit and encouraged to check their compliance with water laws beforehand.

“The vast majority of water users want to do the right thing and becoming fully compliant can just be a matter of better understanding the rules that apply to your situation and your obligations under those rules,” he said.

“While our investigators look into reported breaches of water laws, these new officers will be supporting water users, bolstering their understanding of the laws so they voluntarily comply.”

While this program is not a compliance operation, if breaches are found, NRAR will investigate.

NRAR officers follow all NSW Health COVID-19 guidelines when making site visits.

VNR on the program available if needed.

For more information about NRAR and what it does, visit nrar.nsw.gov.au