Goanna Ag helps Queensland Murray-Darling Basin growers secure subsidised telemetry ahead of compliance deadlines

Eligible water entitlement holders across the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin can now have an approved telemetry device installed at no upfront cost, as Goanna Ag partners with the Queensland Government to roll out telemetry under the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin Telemetry Uplift Program.

The Queensland Murray-Darling Basin (QMDB) Telemetry Uplift Program is subsidising the installation of telemetry devices on non-urban surface water meters for eligible water entitlement holders across the Basin, supporting more sustainable water management, better information for water markets, and stronger compliance and monitoring across the region.

Goanna Ag has been engaged under the program to install telemetry devices, using its purpose-built telemetry device GoMeter, across 16 Water Management Areas in the QMDB. Installation is offered on a first-come, first-served basis while the subsidy remains available. Wherever a property sits within these Water Management Areas, the subsidy covers the same thing: the GoMeter device, installation, and the first 12 months of data services and maintenance, meaning there is no upfront cost to the grower.

Dan McNaulty, completing a telemetry install.

Dan McNaulty, Compliance Manager at Goanna Ag, is encouraging all growers in the 16 Water Management Areas to register for the subsidy while it remains on offer.

"We have already seen strong interest in the program, with installations underway. It's a way for growers to get stronger compliance and monitoring when it comes to their water, without the upfront cost," Dan said.

For growers, the case for taking up the offer goes well beyond meeting a regulatory requirement. GoMeter reports water meter data every 15 minutes, giving growers current information to guide day-to-day decisions rather than relying on periodic manual reads.

"It also cuts down on the number of manual site visits growers need to do just to check a reading, so that's time back in their day," Dan said. "And because the data is auditable and tamper-evident, it builds trust with regulators, so growers can walk into an inspection with confidence."

There's a cost to waiting, too. Telemetry is a regulatory requirement for applicable non-urban surface water meters in these water management areas within the QMDB, with due dates set out in the Water Regulation. Growers who don't take up the subsidy while it remains available will be responsible for the full cost of meeting their telemetry requirements including the cost of purchase, installation and data service and maintenance costs from the day the device is installed. Under the subsidy, the purchase and installation cost is covered, and data service and maintenance costs are covered for the first 12 months.

Every nominated Water Management Area is entitled to receive the same subsidy, with compliance dates varying across the Basin. Telemetry is required by 1 December 2026 in the Condamine and Balonne, Condamine and Balonne Tributaries, Lower Balonne, Moonie, Upper Condamine and Stanthorpe Water Management Areas. In the Border Rivers, Callandoon Creek, Gowrie and Oakey Creek, Macintyre Brook, Upper, Northern and Lower Weir River, and Warrego, Paroo and Nebine catchments, telemetry is required by 1 December 2027. Eligible growers in all nominated Water Management Areas can access the subsidy and are encouraged to register early.

Growers unsure which group applies to their property are encouraged to get in touch with Goanna Ag, who can confirm their Water Management Area.

At the centre of the program is GoMeter. It provides continuous, near real-time monitoring, giving growers accurate, auditable records of their water use, and giving the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV) the timely data it needs to support sustainable water management across the Basin. Built to handle harsh on-farm conditions, GoMeter is backed by a one-year device warranty, with warranty replacement covering any faults identified within that period, and growers can access their current and historical data through Goanna Ag's app wherever they are, whether that's in the paddock or states away.

Goanna Ag has spent over 20 years solving on-farm water and data challenges alongside growers, and its team remains on hand for questions and technical support long after a device is installed.

"We have installed hundreds of GoMeter devices across the country," Dan said. "We work with the growers to ensure they are supported throughout the whole process, from registration through to installation and being able to read the data via our GoApp."

Because installation is offered on a first-come, first-served basis while the subsidy lasts, all eligible growers are encouraged to register their interest as early as possible so they can ensure they meet their compliance deadline. While compliance deadlines vary across Water Management Areas, the subsidy is available now and early registration gives growers the best opportunity to secure installation at a time that suits their operation.

Growers in any of the 16 eligible Water Management Areas can register their interest and check their eligibility now at goannaag.com.au/qmdb.