
Show Notes
The role of the independent Inspector-General of Water Compliance is to deliver trust and transparency in the management of Murray-Darling Basin resources, and ensure the highest standard of accountability for all involved in the use and management of Basin resources. Often, the role of the Inspector-General is confused with the role of state agencies such as the Natural Resources Access Regulator, or NRAR, in NSW. When the role of the Inspector-General was established, it was noted in the legislation that the role was not intended to duplicate the role of other agencies. The Inspector-General aims to oversight and monitor agencies, ensuring they are complying with the Basin Plan and Water Act. The role of state agencies like NRAR is to enforce and prosecute individuals.
Joining us on today’s episode of Water’s Edge is NRAR’s Chief Regulatory Officer Grant Barnes, and our Deputy Inspector-General of Water Compliance Daniel Blacker.
Learn more about NRAR: https://www.nrar.nsw.gov.au/ Visit the IGWC’s website: https://www.igwc.gov.au/
More from Water’s Edge
In October 2024, the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, the Hon. Troy Grant, announced an inquiry into the Northern Basin Toolkit. In this episode, hear from Troy and Ken Lonnie, Director of Inquiry for the Inspector-General, as they discuss the findings of the inquiry. The Toolkit is a $166 million package funded by the Australian Government. It includes infrastructure projects and policy reforms aimed at lowering the northern Basin's water recovery target under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. To find out more and read the full report, visit https://inquiry.igwc.gov.au/northern-basin-toolkit
In August 2025, Troy Grant was re-appointed for a second and final term as the Inspector-General of Water Compliance. The position can be held for a total of eight years under the Water Act 2007 (Cth). In this episode, Troy reflects on his first term as Inspector-General from 2021 to 2025. He shares what people can expect in the next four years. Troy also discusses the work being done in water management and his recent visit to southern areas of the Basin. Additionally, he offers insights on leadership, creating a legacy, and building a new team to support the Inspector-General of Water Compliance. If you would like to learn more about the Murray-Darling Basin after listening to this episode of Water’s Edge, visit our educational video series, Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin.
The Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 introduced new rules. This could lead to a follow-up IGWC investigation on trade price reporting. Mildura water broker Phil Grahame offers his view on a fair-priced Basin water market. Participants should be able to make informed decisions. Plus: the community asks a complex question. The IGWC answers, about rules and regulations in Murray-Darling Basin jurisdictions.
In this episode of Water’s Edge: the Murray-Darling Basin community has its say on management and compliance of a precious resource – water. A deep dive into the Inspector-General of Water Compliance’s (IGWC) Community Sentiment Survey conducted by ORIMA Research. Join the IGWC at field days across the Basin where community members share what they're concerned about. Plus, the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, the Honourable Troy Grant, steps up to the mic to answer the first Water's Edge listener questions. Got a question you’d like answered in Water’s Edge? Email it to us at [email protected], with the subject line ‘Water’s Edge podcast’. Water’s Edge is produced by the independent Inspector-General of Water Compliance.
In this episode of Water’s Edge: a deep dive into ACT’s water with the Inspector-General of Water Compliance's Regulatory Leaders Forum. Inspector-General of Water Compliance, the Honourable Troy Grant, shares how the forum uniting water leaders is progressing. Icon Water shares how they balance water infrastructure and the environment at Canberra's Cotter Dam, including protecting the endangered Macquarie Perch. Plus how Australia's largest inland sewage plant proves every drop of water is valuable. Canberra is the biggest city in the Murray Darling Basin and the only jurisdiction completely within the Basin.