Yambuna farmer charged with water theft

Jun 25, 2021

A Yambuna dairy farmer has been placed on 12-month good behaviour bond for stealing almost 45 Ml of water.

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The 51-year-old woman pleaded guilty in Echuca Magistrates’ Court on June 2 to unauthorised take and use of water between June 7, 2019, and March 23, 2020, and operation of works without authorisation.

The woman, who has been running the farm with her husband for 26 years, had taken and used 44.9 Ml of water without authorisation — leaving a negative balance in her water allocation bank account (ABA) — and failed to renew her Works Licence to operate her pump.

The negative balance in her ABA had been corrected before her court appearance.

Magistrate Russell Kelly imposed costs of $1767.80, and no conviction was recorded.

The Water Act 1989 was amended in October 2019 to provide for greater deterrence against water theft by strengthening penalties and giving water corporations a wider range of enforcement tools and powers to suspend or cancel licences.

Customers with any queries on compliance can phone the Goulburn-Murray Water customer experience team on 1800 013 357 for assistance.

For information go to gmwater.com.au/compliance

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