Rebate an incentive to switch to telemetry

Farmers and irrigators are being urged to take advantage of a NSW Government rebate that offsets the cost of switching to telemetry-based non-urban metering.

Director of Planning Implementation Allan Raine said water users who transmit their water take information via NSW’s telemetry system will receive a $975 rebate that will be applied automatically to their water bills.

“Non-urban metering rules are now in place across northern and southern inland NSW to improve the way we measure and manage water being taken from our rivers and waterways,” Mr Raine said.

“We know that installing new accurate tamper-proof meters and telemetry equipment can be costly, which is why the government is providing a financial incentive for water users to install devices that transmit water use data remotely.

“The rebate will cover the telemetry service charge for four years until it reaches the total amount of $975 making it easier for water users to comply with non-urban metering rules and helping to take pressure off the hip pocket.

“Telemetry provides near real-time information on water take providing farmers and irrigators with vital, up-to-date information on their water usage and ensuring everyone is taking their fair share.”

The NSW and Australian Government have each committed $9 million to the rebate program to provide financial relief for water users and to encourage the uptake of telemetry.

The rebate will be backdated to include water users who have already installed devices and connected to the NSW Government’s telemetry system. It does not apply to government-owned meters.

There are also other programs that can reduce the impact of switching to non-urban metering including the Instant Asset Write-Off which enables farmers to deduct the full purchase price of assets up to $150,000 from their taxable income.

There is also the NSW Farm Innovation Fund which provides loans to carry out capital works, along with exemptions for small, low risk works that are used solely to take water under a stock and domestic water access license.

Under the non-urban metering reforms, all metered surface water must transmit water take information to the NSW Government’s telemetry system unless they are surface pumps less than 200mm.

Once you are connected to the system, users can access water take information through a private online dashboard.

For more information go to: Non-urban metering