The rollout of free state-of-the-art water monitoring devices for up to 2500 water users has started.
It’s the next phase of the Australian Government’s $10.5 million Telemetry Uplift Program, which the government said will save eligible water users out-of-pocket costs while helping them become compliant with metering rules.
The devices track and transmit water usage data, providing farmers and landholders real-time insights and reducing the need for manual reporting.
More than 400 water users have opted into the program, and companies will contact applicants directly in the coming weeks to arrange installation, which will commence over the coming months. The offer also includes a defects warranty period.
There are still program places open, larger water users are encouraged to apply now. Eligible sites include those extracting from groundwater, regulated and unregulated river sources in the Murray−Darling Basin with an annual entitlement of 100 ML or greater.
Telemetry supports sustainable water use by sending near real-time data to water management agencies, ensuring licensed water from inland regional water sources is extracted fairly, equitably and by the rules.
Accurate monitoring is crucial for water resource planning and by simplifying compliance and reducing the need for manual reports, it saves licence holders time and money.
NSW DCCEEW executive director of operations resilience Ashraf El-Sherbini said:
“It’s fantastic to see this program roll-out as we gear up to deliver cutting-edge telemetry across the NSW Murray-Darling Basin over the next two years.”
“Free telemetry means significant time and cost-savings, while strengthening our ability to accurately measure water taken from the Basin, which benefits everyone.”
