A Mooroopna man has been fined $1000 after pleading guilty to water theft.
The matter was heard in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on June 17, 2022 after the 41-year old man was charged with unauthorised take and use of water.
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) commenced the prosecution after officers observed two separate lengths of pipe syphoning water from the Central Goulburn Channel. The pipes ran over the bank and into a freshly dug cutting, directing water towards a storage dam.
Upon further inspection of the cutting and the dampness of the surrounding soil, it appeared that the water had been syphoning for some time.
The water taken at the time was unauthorised and unmetered.
GMW Water Use Compliance and Enforcement Coordinator Chris Dalton said water theft is a serious offence.
“GMW has a zero-tolerance approach to water theft, which provides equity of access to limited water resources and protects those who are doing the right thing,” he said.
“It is important to plan ahead and have month to month and seasonal plans for your water needs and make sure you keep a positive balance in your water allocation account.”
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.
Customers with any queries on compliance can phone the GMW Customer Experience Team on 1800 013 357 for assistance.
For more information, go to www.gmwater.com.au/compliance