WaterNSW have released a fact
sheet
providing information on water use data..
Water-use data recorded through pulse outputs, Local Intelligence Devices (LIDs) and the Data Acquisition Service (DAS) may not always
exactly match the meter reading displayed in the field.
The fact sheet explains how the systems work together to capture and transmit water-use information, why differences between DAS data
and meter readings can occur, and what steps to take if you notice something that doesn’t look right.
The July Water Allocation Statement came out today. No surprises with 0% allocation. There is 449GL in the General Security accounts (88%)
and 61GL in the Environmental allowance (135%). High security, Supplementary and FPH licence holders received their maximum 9100%) allocation.
During June approx. 2.1GL of ECA water was delivered.
In the 2025-26 water year GS began with 69% of entitlement, there were three allocation increments made resulting in total allocation of 67%
for the 2025-26 year. There was a useage of approx 39% of entitlement (198GL). Supplementary access licences received 40% of entitlements
(72GL).
Good rainfall early in the water year saw Copeton dam storage increase from a starting point of 53% to a leak of 82% with end of year
capacity of 60%,
The full statement is available here for
the Gwydir Valley and here for the
opening allocations for NSW regulated sources
Water supply works approved for Floodplain Harvesting operate as a system, each work contributes to harvesting the water, unless they are clearly excluded.
Under FPH metering rules:
• Only storages and points of intake need meters
• Other works (such as channels and lift pumps) do not need meters
• These other works should be classified as constructed, as they as they are involved in taking floodplain harvesting.
This is different from non-urban metering rules, where most works that take water need a meter unless exempt. If an approval holder has a work that is on a Floodplain Harvesting Water Supply Works approval which is also on another non-floodplain harvesting approval – they may
have different classifications because of the different rules.
The DCCEEW factsheet is available in the link
Water Prices set to soar with over cumulative changes of 33% to 42% over next four years:
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved water bill increases of almost 50 per cent, excluding inflation, across
many NSW valleys over the next four years, despite acknowledging that many customers have limited capacity to absorb them.
Water bills in the Gwydir will increase between 7 and 10 per cent plus CPI each year for the next four years. This is a cumulative change of
33 to 42 per cent over the next four years.
Typical General Security bills will increase from $18,863 to $26,724 a 9.1 per cent annualised
increase.
Entitlement prices will incur an annualised increase of 9.9 per cent for General Security and 6.1
per cent for High Security.
While usage prices will see and annualised 8.8 per cent increase.
Local Water Utilities in the Gwydir will also see increases.
The GVIA currently has ground water available for temporary trade. Please email Lou at gvia@gvia.org.au
if you have any questions.
Current Tenders 2025-2026:
1 x 38 ML (megalitres) of Lower Gwydir Groundwater allocation for sale. You can bid in price/megalitre by emailing gvia@gvia.org.au before
5pm Tuesday 16th June 2026
WaterNSW have offered to assist members who are Floodplain Harvesting customers to better understand their obligations under the NSW FPH
Policy.
WaterNSW have offered informal one on one sessions, by appointment so that each customer can discuss their specific concern and
queries, and address any issues that may exist. This is a practical step by WaterNSW to try and help ensure everyone is ready to go when we
get the next FPH opportunity.
The planning is for the week of the 20July either in Moree (at the GVIA office) or
possibly at other sites if needed.
Please contact gvia@gvia.org.au to arrange a meeting. Please include details as shown below such
as Registration of Interest (ROI’s) and Work Approvals so we can start to plan sessions.
Please register by the end of the week 3 July Thank you
The MDBLP brings together people from across the Basin who are ready to work beyond their own interests and contribute to strengthening
understanding of how the Basin’s water resources are managed.
This is a leadership experience designed for people who care about the future of the Basin and the communities, industries and water
dependent ecosystems it supports.
You will join a diverse cohort of people from across regions, sectors and backgrounds.
Together, you will build the skills, relationships and mindset to work through complexity, navigate difference and take action where it
matters most. This includes engaging your communities, supporting informed dialogue about water use, and helping educate Australians about
the Basin’s water resources and the pressures they face .
Social Media on the
program
WaterNSW is making releases from Copeton Dam to target flows at Tyreel Weir in the Gwydir River. The expected peak flow at the site is about
100 ML/day from 30 May 2026
Additional information is available in the link
Classification of works for FPH in the WaterNSW customer portal cannot yet be completed correctly.
The appropriate classification for all active works included in a FPH entitlement is Constructed. Unfortunately the
customer portal does not have this as an option yet.
Please register on the portal, but please wait until it is updated to include the Constructed classification before classifying works associated with your FPH entitlement.
In Summary:
1. Storage Measurement - For approval holders who elect storage measurement, each active storage used to take FPH water will require
metering. Each of these storages needs to be classified as constructed.
2. Point-of-intake measurement - For approval holders who elect point-of-intake measurement, each pipe or pump that is used to take FPH water require metering. Each of these pipes or pumps needs to be classified as constructed
3. Any other work on the statement of approval that is used to convey FPH water can also be classified as constructed. For example, channels, internal lift pumps, pipes, regulators or block dams*. These works can be classified as constructed and not require
metering
as the FPH rules specify only storages or point-of-intake require metering.
We are working with DCCEEW and WaterNSW to get the classifications distributed to you and the portal updated as quickly as we can.
In May the GVIA completed our submission to the NSW connectivity program.
We have significant concerns about this program and the implications it has for members and the communities we live in.
The concept of connectivity should not be pursued by NSW in isolation from Queensland. This is a whole of basin concept and should be
facilitated by balanced conversations with the MDBA.
GVIA members will be provided update in the coming weeks.
The GVIA recently completed a submission for WaterNSW pricing to IPART. Our overall requests were as follows:
1. GVIA supports a 5% annual price cap (plus inflation), consistent with IPART's WAMC pricing decision and to balance affordability pressures facing irrigators already under significant net margin strain.
a. We do NOT support the proposed 10% increase.
2. A fundamental review of WaterNSW's operating model, regulatory framework and funding arrangements should be undertaken during the draft 3-year price determination period.
3. No further WaterNSW pricing proposal(s) or IPART determination(s) be undertaken until the review is completed.
