| Southern Rural Water is receiving close to 100 applications a week as the deadline nears for dairy farmers to apply for a Dairy Shed Water Licence.
The amnesty period for licence applications ends on 26 February.
Manager Groundwater and Rivers, Craig Parker, said the amnesty has been running for five months and Southern Rural Water is expecting a spike in applications as the deadline draws near.
“This is a once-off opportunity for farmers to make sure the water they use in their dairy is fully licensed without penalty,” he said.
“This is not a new licensing requirement. The amnesty provides farmers with a chance to comply with long-standing laws.”
Craig said the majority of dairy farmers who have talked to Southern Rural Water staff already have a licence, often for their farm dam or other water source, but have needed to check the volume allocated to dairy use is correct.
“Anyone without a licence after 26 February risks penalties under the Water Act 1989. Most areas are capped and they will also need to trade to obtain more entitlement,” he said. “For those who have their doubts, licences enable water corporations to protect water sources from competing demands in the area.”
For more information about Dairy Shed Water Licences, please contact Southern Rural Water on 1300 139 510.
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