NSW irrigators under investigation over ‘unexplained’ flood plain harvesting of 200GL of water

Regulator looking at 26 incidents, with seven involving very large volumes which far exceed amounts subsequently licensed

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NSW authorities are investigating several major unexplained" incidents where 200GL of flood water - equivalent to nearly half the volume of Sydney harbour - was harvested by irrigators during floods in western NSW in late 2020 and early 2021.

NSW estimates was told last week 26 separate incidents were under investigation. Seven involve very large volumes which far exceed the amounts that were subsequently licensed.

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