Floodplain harvesting

What is floodplain harvesting?

Pencil edit blue circle iconFloodplain harvesting refers to the collection, extraction or impoundment of any water flowing across a designated floodplain.

Understanding the floodplain policy landscape

To assist you in understanding the different terms used in the floodplain policy landscape, please refer to the following definitions:

  • Floodplain: A floodplain is an area of low-lying land adjacent to a river or stream, that is subject to flooding following heavy rain within the water system.
  • Floodplain harvesting: Floodplain harvesting is when water from a floodplain is extracted and stored for the purpose of irrigation. In relation to licensing, floodplain harvesting refers to the capture of rainfall runoff, whether contaminated or not, and overbank flow. The definition of floodplain harvesting has been outlined in the NSW Floodplain Harvesting Policy and would require the endorsement of the NSW Government to be amended.
    Please note: If you hold a floodplain harvesting licence, this does not necessarily mean that you hold a flood work approval. Visit our website for more information on flood work approvals.
  • Floodplain harvesting event: The period of time, specified by a customer, when the take of floodplain harvesting water commenced and ceased.
  • Floodplain management plan: A floodplain management plan (FMP) is the legislation that specifies the type of works that may be constructed within a management zone and determines regulatory requirements.
  • Flood works: A flood work is a work (such as a barrage, causeway, cutting or embankment) that is in the vicinity of a river, estuary or lake or within a floodplain. It is of such a size or configuration that (regardless of the purpose for which it is constructed or used), is likely to influence the flow of water to or from a river, estuary or lake, or the distribution or flow of floodwater in times of flood.  Flood work approvals ensure that the construction or use of a flood work does not negatively affect water sources and their dependent ecosystems, or other water users; and minimises the existing and future risk to human life and property.
  • Improving Floodplain Connections Program: The Improving Floodplain Connections Program is a project operated by the NSW Government to accelerate the process of bringing unapproved flood works into compliance with their applicable FMP, throughout the five valleys of the northern Murray–Darling Basin. The aim is to improve hydraulic connectivity to flood-dependent environmental and cultural assets, with the programs major benefits being improvements to the health of these areas.If you would like to read more, please visit NSW DCCEEW’s website.
  • Local Intelligence Device (LID): A LID is connected to a measurement device in order to communicate your floodplain harvesting take to WaterNSW through telemetry.  Details on both LIDs and primary measurement devices can be viewed on this NSW DCCEEW webpage.
  • Primary measurement device:  A primary storage device is a NSW DCCEEW approved piece of equipment that is used to electronically record your floodplain harvesting usage.  This data is then transmitted to WaterNSW through your LID using telemetry.  Details on both LIDs and primary measurement devices can be viewed on this NSW DCCEEW webpage.
  • Secondary measurement device: A secondary measurement device can be used to measure take in the event of failure of your primary measurement device. The most common form of secondary device is a gauge board.  Please see the summary sheet on secondary measurement devices.
  • Storage Curve: The storage curve is used to ascertain the volume of water in your storage at any given time.  The change in volume of water in the storage between the start and end time of a floodplain harvesting event gives the total water taken during the event. Every storage  licensed for the purpose of floodplain harvesting has a unique curve attached to it. Your default storage curve was created by NSW DCCEEW, customers are able to update their curve by engaging a registered surveyor.

Licensing

It is important that floodplain harvesting is licenced to ensure water is measured and managed in accordance with relevant rules and regulations. The licensing structure of floodplain harvesting provides a framework to limit extraction and ensure sustainable take is upheld. A floodplain harvesting licence authorises a water user to take water. Before water can be taken with a water supply work, that work must be nominated by a floodplain harvesting access licence.

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) have consulted with landholders about the process of implementing rules and licensing frameworks for floodplain harvesting in the NSW northern basin areas. You can access information on floodplain harvesting rules in the following valleys:

Namoi Valley floodplain harvesting licence rules

The rules for floodplain harvesting access licenses in the Namoi Valley are in the development stage. These rules apply to both regulated and unregulated floodplain harvesting water access licences and include access rules, water account management and dealings.

The licensing requirements for the Namoi Valley are being finalised by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW). Visit the NSW DCCEEW webpage on the Namoi Valley. 

Read more about floodplain harvesting rules in the Namoi Valey.

Macquarie Valley floodplain harvesting licence rules

The rules for floodplain harvesting access licenses in the Macquarie Valley commenced on 1 March 2023. These rules apply to regulated floodplain harvesting water access licences and include access rules, water account management and dealings.

The licensing requirements for Macquarie and Cudgegong Regulated River Water Source commenced on 1 March 2023.

For more information, please see:

Gwydir Valley floodplain harvesting licence rules

The rules for floodplain harvesting access licenses in the Gwydir Valley commenced on 15 August 2022. These rules apply to both regulated and unregulated floodplain harvesting water access licences and include access rules, water account management and dealings.

The licensing requirements for Gwydir Valley commenced on 15 August 2022.

For more information please see:

Barwon-Darling Floodplain harvesting licence rules

The rules for floodplain harvesting access licenses in the Barwon-Darling Valley will commenced on 1 April 2023. These rules apply to unregulated floodplain harvesting water access licences and include access rules, water account management and dealings.

The licensing requirements for Barwon-Darling valley commenced on 1 April 2023.

For more information, please see:

NSW Border Rivers floodplain harvesting licence rules

The rules for floodplain harvesting access licenses in the NSW Border Rivers commenced on 15 August 2022. These rules apply to regulated floodplain harvesting water access licences and include access rules, water account management and dealings.

The licensing requirements for NSW Border Rivers commenced on 15 August 2022.

For more information, please see:

Exclamation alert blue circle icon

Things to consider when subdividing your floodplain harvesting work approval

Amendment to work approvals where works are located in Management Zones A and/or D may have implications if a customer seeks to link the amended/or new approval to a water access licence (WAL) as some dealings may be prohibited by the relevant plan.

WaterNSW recommends you seek independent legal advice.

How to become compliant

After the commencement of your floodplain harvesting access licence, you have 12 months to install primary metering equipment. To become compliant, please complete the following steps:

  1. Engage a specialist duly qualified person (DQP), who in the instance of floodplain harvesting is a Certified Storage Meter Validator (CSV). To find a DQP local to you, visit the Irrigation Australia’s website or use the Metering and Measurement Virtual Marketplace.
  2. The DQP will discuss with you the installation method and measurement equipment required to support your needs. Your DQP is responsible for registering, installing and validating your measurement devices in the DQP Portal. They will also establish whether you need to update your storage curve.
  3. There are two primary metering methods for measuring floodplain harvesting, storage measurement or point-of-intake measurement. View a list of eligible primary metering equipment information.
  • The storage measurement method uses a sensor to measure the depth of the water within a storage.  The change in volume of your storage is then calculated using the storage curve.
  • The point-of-intake measurement method is where FPH take is measured at the inflow points of an approved water supply work site. It requires specific metering equipment that aligns with the non-urban metering equipment requirements to be installed. To be eligible for this measurement method, a DQP, which in this instance is a certified practicing hydrographer (CPH) or registered engineer, must approve this work. If you wish to use this method, it is recommended that you ask your DQP to contact WaterNSW.

Taking water with secondary measurement equipment

If you wish to floodplain harvest prior to the installation of primary measurement equipment you can use a secondary measurement device for one year from the date your licence is issued.

After one year has passed from the date your licence was issued, you are only authorised to solely use your secondary measurement device if your primary measurement device is faulty.  In this circumstance you must lodge an S91i using the S91i self-reporting form.

Find a list of secondary metering devices suitable for floodplain harvesting.

Click on the link to reference how to allocate a measurement period for a storage with a secondary device.

Nominating a floodplain harvesting event

Customers can nominate their floodplain harvesting event through their iWAS account. Your floodplain harvesting event simply records that time that you commenced and ceased taking floodplain harvesting water. The duration of the nominated floodplain harvesting period is known as the 'measurement period’.

The Data Acquisition Service (DAS) is where all your data is transmitted, please view our video for further information.

What to do if your metering equipment is faulty

You must self-report within 24 hours of becoming aware that any component of your metering equipment is faulty, or if telemetry has failed. You can do this by completing the S91i self-reporting form.

You have 21 days from the date you lodge your form to have the equipment repaired or replaced. If you require a further extension, you will need to complete the S91i extension form.

Once the equipment has been repaired or replaced, you must complete the S91i completion form.

Are you a duly qualified person (DQP)?

The DQP Portal allows you to:

  • Record information about the steps you have taken to order measurement equipment.
  • Submit documentation on behalf of the client, to confirm the measurement equipment has been properly installed and validated.
  • Discover training materials to assist with your work.

If you require assistance or experience any issues using the DQP Portal, please click the link below to fill out the enquiry form.

Submit a floodplain harvesting enquiry

Pencil edit blue circle icon Understand what role each water agency has in the floodplain harvesting program.

Find out more

Agencies

WaterNSW is responsible for the implementation of rules and policies in relation to floodplain harvesting including providing assistance to customers. WaterNSW is also required to assess, issue, and amend licences and approvals, bill water use and charges for floodplain harvesting customers.

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) is responsible for making the state’s water laws and policies and is responsible for issuing some licences and approvals.

Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) is NSW’s independent water regulator. Its purpose is to ensure compliance with, and enforcement of the state’s water laws.

Pencil edit blue circle icon

Forms, fact sheets, guides

View resources

Forms, fact sheets, guides

Applications

Guides

Fact sheets

Frequently asked questions

Other resources

Related links

Flood work approvals

Non-urban metering

Recording and reporting

WaterNSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and pay our respects to all elders past, present and emerging. Learn more