NSW Better Transparency and New Ways to Settle Arguments Over Water Rights

Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Bill 2024

Independent Bill

12 Nov 2024: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

broker conduct dispute resolution foreign ownership water access licences water management water rights

Introduced by: Helen Dalton MP (IND); The Hon Rose Jackson (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

If a water access licence is held by a trust, the trustee must report the details of any foreign beneficiaries to the Water Minister within two months after the financial year ends
The Bill introduces a code of conduct for brokers who facilitate transactions involving water licences. Failure to comply with the code could result in public disclosure of the broker’s violation.
The Bill mandates the creation of a consolidated, publicly available water register. This register will compile information on water licences and make it easily accessible, enhancing transparency about who owns water resources in NSW?
There will now be a system of unique identifiers for water licences and dealings.
Irrigation corporations are required to be members of a prescribed dispute resolution body. This could be the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW or another similar organization, ensuring that water users have a clear pathway for resolving disputes?

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Sarah Mitchell NAT

“I lead for the Opposition in debate on the Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Bill 2024 and indicate at the outset that the Opposition supports the bill. I also acknowledge the member for Murray, who is present in the gallery, and the work that she has done in this space. I congratulate her on the passing of the bill through the other place.”

Official source →

Cate Faehrmann GRN

“The Greens support the Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Bill 2024. From the outset, I commend Helen Dalton, the member for Murray in the other place, for her work in bringing this bill to Parliament. I also acknowledge the Minister’s contribution. She worked very closely with the member for Murray on this bill.”

Official source →

Rose Jackson ALP

“I thank the Hon. Sarah Mitchell and Ms Cate Faehrmann for their contributions to debate on the Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Bill 2024. The Hon. Sarah Mitchell raised the issue of potential duplication and overlap with Commonwealth activity in this space.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Bill 2024

Mrs HELEN DALTON, Member for Murray — 2024-08-08

The Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Bill 2024 will achieve a number of important reforms. Firstly, it will create a public water register so that we can all finally know who owns what. This will be a publicly available register that anyone can access. The time for secrecy is well and truly over, and the bill will finally ensure some accountability. Secondly, the bill will establish a code of conduct for water brokers that is designed to ensure water ownership is transparent.