Deferment of Data Delivery

Six Month Grace Period

The Bureau recognises that organisations may face challenges in meeting the Water Regulations 2008 data delivery schedule. In these circumstances, we will work closely with organisations to assist them where possible.

Under the Water Act 2007 the Minister for Climate Change and Water has the power to pursue enforcement actions where organisations do not meet their data delivery requirements as specified in the Water Regulations 2008. In recognition of the difficulties some organisations are facing, the Minister has decided to not begin an enforcement action for up to six (6) months after information was due. This delay may be because organisations are having difficulty in either meeting the timelines or in supplying information in the data transfer format preferred by the Bureau.

However, in order to achieve this six (6) month grace period, organisations must meet the following conditions:

• they must be in communication with the Bureau regarding their difficulties
• they must have returned a completed Water Information Survey identifying the extent and format of water information they hold
• they must develop a Data Delivery Plan with agreement from the Bureau.

Deferment of Data Delivery Plan

A key element of the Minister's agreement not to pursue enforcement action is the development of a Deferment of Data Delivery plan.

The Bureau has provided a Deferment of Data Delivery template to be used by organisations that require a deferment of data delivery.

Read Water Information Bulletin - Issue 3 for more information about the six-month grace period.