NSW Irrigators' Council (NSWIC) is calling on the NSW Government to establish immediate financial support for coastal water users before the 1 December 2026 compliance deadline, warning that the cost of metering and telemetry compliance is placing further pressure on family-run farms.
NSWIC CEO Dr Madeleine Hartley said coastal farmers urgently needed more practical support on the ground to meet their government mandated metering and telemetry obligations.
"This is a critical time for metering on the coast," Dr Hartley said.
"The NSW Government has said that smaller water users should not be unduly burdened, yet farmers are repeatedly telling us the cost of compliance is simply unaffordable."
Under the NSW Non-Urban Metering Framework, coastal water users with total entitlements of 100 megalitres or more, who do not qualify for a work-size exemption, must have a pattern-approved meter and Local Intelligence Device installed and validated by a Duly Qualified Person by 1 December 2026.
Metering costs are substantial - particularly for farmers who hold large water entitlements but do not use their full allocation.
Shane Gee, a lucerne farmer in the Hunter Valley with a large water entitlement said the cost to become metering compliant was a hit to the back pocket of his family's business.
"Installing metering and telemetry cost me tens of thousands of dollars. It's disappointing that the NSW Government hasn't put a financial support program in place for coastal water users, like the Telemetry Uplift Program available to inland farmers," Mr Gee said.
"Eligible water users in the Murray-Darling Basin can access a $2,000 cashback payment or free telemetry installation by an approved government contractor through Commonwealth funding.
"The starting cost of a telemetry unit alone is around $1,200 plus GST. When you include the additional labour, infrastructure and earth works costs, these costs skyrocket to over $30,000 when there are multiple meters involved."
"At the end of the day, financial assistance from the NSW Government would go a long way towards easing the burden on coastal water users." Said Dr Hartley.
Water users can contact WaterNSW for metering advice at www.waternsw.com.au/appointment.
Interviews are available on request with Hunter Valley farmer Shane Gee and NSWIC Chair Tom Green, both of whom have lived experience of implementing the metering obligations.
Reach out to Anthea 0493 968 631.
