MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper has criticised a lack of information regarding water theft in NSW, and said it illustrates the need for water reform.
Analysis by The Weekly Times suggested that total water theft in Victoria went down in the 2020-2021 financial year, while it is unknown how much water was stolen in NSW.
“We have a clear picture of what’s happening in Victoria – yet what’s happening in NSW is anyone’s guess,” Ms Cupper said.
“In Victoria, water theft has reduced by over 6 thousand 2 hundred megalitres between the last two reporting periods, yet no data on water take volumes has been supplied for NSW.
“It’s an alarming omission, which suggests a lack of oversight of the system.”
The article showed that water theft prosecutions have more than tripled over the past financial year in Victoria, while the amount of formal warning and lockdown notices issued has declined.
In NSW, the amount of penalty notices issued has nearly tripled, while formal warnings and statutory notices are up as well.
“You’d think the recent drought would have stemmed this illegal and unethical activity, yet water theft offences in NSW still appear quite common,” Ms Cupper said.
“The data for Victoria is encouraging and shows that by and large our family farmers are doing the right thing, while deep pocketed water holders in NSW are free to exploit the system, risking a slap on the wrist for doing so.
“Our farmers and companies deserve to be on a level playing field with their northern neighbours and tighter regulation is needed so families aren’t penalised for doing the right thing.”

Media enquiries: Wade Stephens 0423 905 581