THE state's water watchdog has doubled its number of boots on the ground within its first year of operations.
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The NSW Natural Resource Authority Regulator (NRAR) has increased its staff from 73 officers to 145 in the past 12 months, and closed more than 450 cases across the state.
NRAR head honcho Grant Barnes said the community appeared confident in the work the organisation was doing, with more than 4000 hotline calls or emails to date, or an average of 12 a day, with almost 800 of them being breach allegations.
Within the Namoi River region, Mr Barnes said NRAR had finalised 20 investigations in its first year, issuing two formal warnings and four advisory letters.
"Our officers have been out in the field around the Namoi River, educating water users and undertaking compliance work," Mr Barnes said.
"The drought makes it even more important to help water users protect water resources around the Namoi River, including groundwater.
"Most water users follow the rules and meet requirements, but when they don't, NRAR follows through with regulatory action.
"Educating and helping water users comply with water laws when out in the field is just as important as the enforcement work we do."
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Water Minister Melinda Pavey said NSW had surpassed the other states on water compliance regulation and was now setting the standard.
"The NSW government's current reforms, and the introduction of the NRAR a year ago, means we now have the strongest water compliance and enforcement system in the country with a zero tolerance for water theft," Ms Pavey said.
"I met with the NRAR team and they will continue to focus on making sure the compliance of our most precious resource is transparent and fair.
"This is especially important when so many in our regional communities are doing it tough."