Farming families in dispute with irrigation corporations will be now able to access faster, fairer dispute resolutions through the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON).

The Minns government gave the ombudsman increased powers to independently “umpire” any dispute between irrigation customers and the state’s five statutory irrigation corporations, following intense lobbying by Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton.

“Until now, the system has been broken and the irrigation companies had all the power,” Ms Dalton said.

“I thank the Minns Government, and Water Minister Rose Jackson, for listening to rural communities and making this important change.”

The new conflict resolution system gives farmers and irrigators in regional NSW the same protections as other water and energy consumers.

“All we have ever wanted is the same level of protections people in the cities get when they have a conflict with their water companies,” she said.

“We never wanted a better deal. We only ever wanted the same protections as everyone else.”

Ms Dalton said she expected the irrigation corporations will change their behaviour in rural and regional areas, now that they know the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) will be scrutinising everything they do.

“These irrigation companies have been a law unto themselves, and that will change thanks to these reforms,” she said.

“I’m already receiving really positive feedback about the ombudsman getting these additional powers. People are breathing a sigh of relief.”