What’s Happening?
Non-urban water metering continues to progress across the Murray-Darling Basin, although important gaps remain in how jurisdictions measure water take.
Inspector-General of Water Compliance Troy Grant released the fifth Murray-Darling Basin Metering Report Card on 6 November 2026. The 2024–25 report examines progress on metering and telemetry reforms, including meter coverage, accuracy and installer capacity.
Why It Matters
Reliable water measurement is essential for effective water management, regulatory compliance and Basin Plan accounting. Accurate information also helps regulators understand when water is taken, by whom and in what quantities.
Mr Grant highlighted the importance of balancing water consumption with environmental needs.
“Knowing what water is taken, when, by whom and in a timely manner is fundamental to ensuring the balance between water for consumption and water for the environment is being achieved,” he said.
Local Impact
Queensland introduced its overland flow licensing regime in 2005, but licensing and measurement remain incomplete in parts of the state.
The report gives particular attention to these arrangements as part of its assessment of water metering reforms across the Murray–Darling Basin.
By The Numbers
- 1.4%: Reported overland flow take in Queensland identified as measured by storage meter.
- 1.7%: Reported floodplain harvesting take in New South Wales that was directly measured.
- 30%: Decline in active qualified meter installers during 2024–25.
Zoom In
Metering coverage remains high in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria. Across the Basin, the report identifies a continuing shift towards meters that comply with the Australian Standard for non-urban water meters.
However, implementation remains uneven as jurisdictions work on meter upgrades, validation, telemetry and policy reform.
Mr Grant said effective oversight requires more than installing meters.
“Progress is welcome, but assurance depends on more than the number of meters installed. Regulators need accurate and timely information about water take because it underpins compliance management, enforcement and sustainable diversion limit accounting,” he said.
Zoom Out
The report also examines New South Wales, where the floodplain harvesting licensing regime began in 2022. Licensing and measurement arrangements remain incomplete in parts of the state.
Across the Basin, jurisdictions continue working on policy reform and the implementation of metering and telemetry requirements.
What To Look For Next?
This is the final Metering Report Card in its current format, but the Inspector-General will continue independent oversight of metering and telemetry reforms.