NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC) is calling on the NSW Government to provide immediate financial support, strengthen industry engagement and ensure a fair enforcement framework as coastal irrigators face a 1 December compliance deadline.
NSWIC CEO Dr Madeleine Hartley said an independent review commissioned by the NSW Government had confirmed longstanding concerns about the state’s telemetry requirements, including the cost, reliability and ability to meet the needs of both irrigators and government agencies.
In response, the NSW Government has released a Telemetry Review Action Plan 2026-28 with actions across priority areas including LID modernisation and installation, alarm management and data quality.
“It is positive to see the NSW Government acknowledge what irrigators have been saying for years – the current telemetry system is broken and not working effectively,” Dr Hartley said.
“While the Action Plan will bring improvements, it is concerning that many actions require migration to a new online platform. This will prolong telemetry barriers experienced by irrigators into 2028.
“NSW irrigators want a fair and practical pathway to compliance. However, the complexities surrounding technology, connectivity and data quality, combined with stringent and unaffordable compliance requirements are imposing significant financial costs on largely family-run farming businesses.
“Telemetry devices start at around $1,200 plus GST, but costs can quickly skyrocket to more than $30,000 when installation, labour, infrastructure and earthworks are included, particularly where multiple meters are required.
Dr Hartley said irrigators needed urgent support, affordable water and greater certainty.
“We have been calling for increased financial support to help irrigators meet their telemetry compliance obligations, including the establishment of a Coastal Telemetry Uplift Program.
“Irrigators also need regular targeted engagement with decision makers as the Action Plan is rolled out, a Regulatory Impact Statement that transparently outlines the benefits versus cumulative costs of the action plan, and a commitment from the regulator to take the review’s findings into account when developing its enforcement approach.
If we want to continue growing a productive and sustainable irrigation industry into the future, compliance must be achievable, affordable and fair across the state.”
Media Background
The 2025 Independent Telemetry Review, conducted by Ricardo, found that telemetered data does not adequately fulfil the water management responsibilities of NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and WaterNSW, the monitoring and enforcement needs of the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR), or provide the promised benefits to irrigators. The report and action plan can be found here: NSW Telemetry review: Pathways report 2025 and Telemetry Review Action Plan.
Interviews are available on request with NSWIC Chair Tom Green, and Namoi Valley farmer Andrew Watson both of whom have lived experience of implementing the metering obligations.
