How to become measurement ready
To measure floodplain harvesting, licence holders must install metering equipment that transmits data in near real-time on storages used for floodplain harvesting.
Primary metering equipment
There are 2 methods for measuring floodplain harvesting, each requiring specific primary metering equipment.
1. Storage measurement method
To comply with the requirements under the floodplain harvesting measurement rules, you will need to install primary metering equipment. The default primary measurement method is via the storage measurement method. You will need to complete the following steps by your rollout date:
- Install a survey benchmark. Storages used for floodplain harvesting will need to have a survey benchmark installed by a duly qualified person near the site of the storage meter. If you would like to use existing survey benchmarks, these will need to be validated by a duly qualified person. All storage benchmarks must comply with the Survey benchmark standard and Survey benchmark guideline (PDF, 909.82 KB).
- Install a compliant storage meter. You are required to install a compliant storage meter that meets the Minister’s specifications and storage metering equipment standards and is installed and validated by a duly qualified person. All equipment listed on the department’s website has been assessed as meeting these standards and specifications. Visit Measurement equipment approvals for suppliers and vendors for specifications and standards and a list of storage meters.
- Install a telemetry-enabled local intelligence device. You are required to install a telemetry-enabled local intelligence device. Visit LIDs for floodplain harvesting for a list of compatible floodplain harvesting local intelligence devices.
To comply with the requirements under the floodplain harvesting measurement rules, you will need to install primary metering equipment. The default primary measurement method is via the storage measurement method. You will need to complete the following steps by your rollout date:
- Install a survey benchmark. Storages used for floodplain harvesting will need to have a survey benchmark installed by a duly qualified person near the site of the storage meter. If you would like to use existing survey benchmarks, these will need to be validated by a duly qualified person. All storage benchmarks must comply with the Survey benchmark standard and Survey benchmark guideline (PDF, 909.82 KB).
- Install a compliant storage meter. You are required to install a compliant storage meter that meets the Minister’s specifications and storage metering equipment standards and is installed and validated by a duly qualified person. All equipment listed on the department’s website has been assessed as meeting these standards and specifications. Visit Measurement equipment approvals for suppliers and vendors for specifications and standards and a list of storage meters.
- Install a telemetry-enabled local intelligence device. You are required to install a telemetry-enabled local intelligence device. Visit LIDs for floodplain harvesting for a list of compatible floodplain harvesting local intelligence devices.
2. Point-of-intake measurement method
If you wish to measure your floodplain harvesting via the point-of-intake measurement method, you must install point-of-intake metering equipment that aligns with the non-urban metering framework and in accordance with the Minister’s Point-of-intake Guideline. A duly qualified person must determine that your farm configuration meets the requirements of the point-of-intake rules and guideline.
If you wish to measure your floodplain harvesting via the point-of-intake measurement method, you must install point-of-intake metering equipment that aligns with the non-urban metering framework and in accordance with the Minister’s Point-of-intake Guideline. A duly qualified person must determine that your farm configuration meets the requirements of the point-of-intake rules and guideline.
Secondary metering devices equipment for floodplain harvesting (optional)
Landholders who hold a floodplain harvesting licence can install an optional secondary metering device with their survey benchmark (e.g. a gauge board). This will allow you to floodplain harvest:
- within the first 12 months after floodplain harvesting rules come into effect if you wish to harvest water from the floodplain but don’t have a primary metering device installed
- if the primary metering device on the storage is faulty.
You must install secondary metering devices in accordance with the Secondary metering device standard and the Secondary (backup) Metering Devices Standards and Guideline (PDF, 370.98 KB).
Secondary metering devices suitable for floodplain harvesting
This table lists the secondary metering devices that are suitable for floodplain harvesting.
| Device | Device make and model | Supporting infrastructure | Guideline and/or standards for installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauge board | No specific make or model, but needs to meet Australian standards (AS 3778.6.5, s 7.1) | Survey benchmarks | Metering equipment standards 2022 (Schedule 2 – Survey benchmark standard and Schedule 4 – Secondary metering device standard) |
| Storage meter | Goanna Ag – Go storage device | Survey benchmarks | Must be installed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and the level of the sensor component must be established from a survey benchmark that complies with the Minister’s standards: Metering equipment standards 2022 (Schedule 2 – Survey benchmark standard) |
| Local Intelligence Device (LID) | Novecom - 101345 NSW Floodplain Harvesting LID | Storage sensor and survey benchmarks | Must be installed in connection with a listed storage sensor for floodplain harvesting (Primary metering equipment - storage sensors for floodplain harvesting - Water in New South Wales (nsw.gov.au). The storage
sensor must be levelled to a survey benchmark installed in accordance with the the Minister’s standards: Metering equipment standards 2022 (Schedule 2 – Survey benchmark standard) Establishing survey benchmarks guideline (PDF, 909.82 KB). |
Existing metering equipment
You can keep existing metering equipment only if the equipment was purchased on or before 14 February 2020 and meets the requirements outlined in the Existing Metering Equipment Guideline (PDF, 189 KB).
All metering equipment purchased after the 14 February 2020 must comply with the standards and specifications outlined above for primary metering equipment.
Faulty metering equipment
Landholders must notify the Minister (via WaterNSW) within 24 hours of becoming aware that any component of your metering equipment is faulty or telemetry has failed. Reports are made using the S91i self reporting form on the WaterNSW website.
Landholders will have 21 days from the time that they have lodged their faulty meter form, to repair or replace the faulty metering equipment. Requests for an extension beyond 21 days can be made using the S91i extension form on the WaterNSW website.
After faulty metering equipment has been repaired or replaced, landholders must advise the Minister by completing the S91i completion form on the WaterNSW website.
Landholders can continue to floodplain harvest during repairs to their primary metering equipment (i.e. storage metering equipment), using a secondary metering device that complies with the Minister’s standards (e.g. gauge board).
If point-of-intake metering equipment fails, you must record your floodplain harvesting take using logbooks, following the same requirements for faulty meters in the non-urban metering framework.