THE NSW Government invites stakeholders to have their say on the next stage of reforms to the state’s non-urban metering framework, aimed at improving compliance and ensuring licensed water take is accurately measured and reported.

The proposed changes to the Water Management (General) Regulation 2025 would put in place the final recommendations from the review of the non-urban metering framework and improve information on water use across New South Wales.

Before any changes are finalised, stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposals and provide feedback.

The proposed reforms aim to simplify recording and reporting where possible, clarify metering rules for some water trades, introduce a new category for works that only take water under licence exemptions, and make practical improvements for activities like cleaning fish screens.

Timely and responsive data supports better informed decisions about water planning and allocations, while improving understanding of industry, community and environmental water needs.

The proposed changes would allow approval holders to specify from which access licence water is taken when multiple licences are linked to a single water supply work. Holders of access licences with 3000 or more unit shares or megalitres would also be required to annually attest to the volume of water taken under their licence.

These changes aim to close remaining gaps in the metering framework and improve confidence that water in NSW is being taken lawfully and responsibly.

Holders of larger access licences will be invited to participate in a webinar on May 26, 2026, where the proposed changes and annual requirements will be presented.

The proposed changes will also be presented at a public webinar on June 3, 2026, with interested stakeholders able to register and participate.

NSW DCCEEW director of metering and licensing, Dan Connor, said accurate measurement and reporting helps ensure water can be managed effectively for communities, industry, agriculture and the environment now and into the future.

“Before any changes are made, we want to hear directly from water users and stakeholders to ensure the framework works in practice,” he said.

“Reliable metering data is critical for effective water management, particularly as we face more variable rainfall and increasingly challenging climate conditions.

“A relatively small number of larger water users account for the majority of licensed water take in NSW, so strengthening compliance in this area will deliver significant benefits for the long-term management of our water resources.”

Stakeholders can learn more and have a say until Monday, June 15, 2026 by visiting website HERE.

Register for the public webinar on June 3 HERE.