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Media Release - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Tamworth: 16 September 2005 REMINDER OF THE NEED FOR LICENCES FOR NEW BORES The Department of Natural Resources has reminded landholders and bore drillers that they must possess the relevant licences before any drilling for groundwater takes place on properties within NSW.
Regional Director for Barwon, Randall Hart, said the drilling of any bore without approval is a contravention of the Water Act 1912 .
“All work, bores, excavations, wells and the like, constructed to extract groundwater must be licensed regardless of their purpose or location,” Mr Hart said.
“This includes bores for domestic consumption or stock watering purposes.”
“Water bore drillers in NSW must be licensed under the Water Act 1912 . Landholders should ask to see the drillers' licence prior to any drilling work commencing.
“It is the driller's responsibility to ensure that a landholder has a bore licence before they start drilling.”
Mr Hart said there were good reasons for the licensing provisions. “The drilling of bores has the potential to harm the environment, including the possibility of cross contamination with other groundwater resources, some of which are used for domestic purposes. Part of the Department's licensing process involves an environmental review to ensure the design and location of the bore is appropriate for local conditions.”
The need for licences was emphasised last month when the Downing Centre Local Court ordered a drilling company to pay fines of $1,200 plus court costs for the drilling of an unlicensed bore at Bendemeer and for drilling bores whilst unlicensed.
“The licensing process is in place to prevent inappropriate installation and use of bores, and serves to protect all groundwater users and the resource in general. DNR, in cooperation with the industry, will do what we can to remove the unprofessional operators from the industry. Most operators are aware of their obligations and responsibilities and do the right thing,” Mr Hart said.
Anyone requiring further information on the licensing of bores should contact DNR's Tamworth Office on (02) 6764 5933.
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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