NRAR sets sights on quarry compliance

Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) officers will be visiting quarries in the Northern Rivers, the Hunter and Sydney Metro to assess their compliance with water laws.

NRAR’s Director of Water Regulation (East), Graeme White said that quarries that intercept groundwater or divert surface water must hold an access licence under the Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act).

“Quarrying can affect local surface water flows and ground water levels, whereas sand and gravel extraction can cause significant erosion and scour within a river channel if poorly managed. These potential impacts can adversely impact neighbouring water users and the environment, so it is important that quarry operations comply with the rules,” Mr White said.

“NRAR officers will audit these quarry operations to assess compliance with the rules.”

NRAR’s investigators and compliance officers travel all over the state’s 58 water sharing planareas, inspecting properties and assessing compliance with the rules.

To see the work NRAR does, go to its public register on the NRAR website industry.nsw.gov.au/nrar. Go to ‘Reports and data’, then ‘NRAR Public Register’.

To make a confidential report on suspected water misuse, contact the NRAR Hotline on 1800 633 362 or email nrar.enquiries@nrar.nsw.gov.au.