According to a NRAR spokesperson, a potential breach on the Gloucester River was reported in November and lodged for investigation just before Christmas.

"NRAR staff will contact key persons of interest throughout the investigation, and at its completion to inform them of our findings and our regulatory response to this matter," the spokesperson said.

As the rivers around Gloucester have ceased to flow, tensions in the community about how water is being used have been on the rise. On Wednesday, January 8, a social media post on a public community page indicating a property owner on the Gloucester River was pumping from the river despite cease-to-pump conditions being in effect. Due to low flows in the Gloucester River, cease-to-pump conditions have been in place since November 2019, according to NRAR.

"Properties with river frontage can pump for a number of legitimate reasons. While basic landholder rights apply under the Water Management Act 2000 for stock and domestic use, any use of water from the Gloucester River for irrigation purposes requires appropriate water access licences and approvals," the NRAR spokesperson explained. "Water users are expected to know their conditions and comply with them, and to check that there are no restrictions in place before they start pumping."

But what does someone do if they are aware of someone breaching the water laws?

The NRAR encourages community members to report suspected wrongdoing by calling the confidential hotline on 1800 633 362 or making a report online at www.industry.nsw.gov.au/nrar.

"NRAR takes a graduated and proportionate approach in response to non-compliance, considering the impact of the non-compliance on the environment, impact to the integrity of the water laws and other water users and property when deciding on the most appropriate regulatory response," the spokesperson said. "NRAR also considers a person's culpability, and willingness to comply with water laws in the future."

The response could come in a range of ways including advisory letters, warnings (written and verbal), cautions, corrective action requests, penalty infringement notices, licence or civil action.

"With extreme drought and bushfire conditions impacting communities across NSW, it is more important that ever that NRAR delivers a fair, transparent and effective water compliance system aimed at preventing unlawful water take and improving voluntary compliance," the spokesperson stated.

In regard to the current report about the Gloucester River, the NRAR spokesperson said, "as the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further comment at this time."

Along with responding to reports of alleged breaches, NRAR conducts proactive monitoring and audit campaigns to engage with water users to ensure compliance with licence and approvals conditions.