Who is the Inspector-General?

Inspector-General of Water Compliance, the Honourable Troy Grant

Troy has a 32-year career of public service in government, law enforcement, emergency service, social justice, community and charity. He was an elected member of the New South Wales Parliament from 2011 to 2019. Troy has lived and worked in the northern and southern Murray–Darling Basin for over 40 years. He maintains a sound understanding and connection to the communities in the Basin.

As the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, he holds a suite of delegations under the Water Act relevant to that role. For example, the Inspector-General makes decisions relating to the commencement of audits or inquiries and enforcement actions. Troy also fulfils the role as the main conduit for public engagements and acts as Chair of the Regulatory Leaders Forum.

Daniel Blacker: Deputy Inspector-General of Water Compliance

Daniel joined as the Deputy Inspector-General of Water Compliance at the commencement of the independent Inspector-General on 5 August 2021.

Functions and powers

The Inspector-General of Water Compliance’s functions and powers are set out in the Water Act 2007 (the Act). The Office of Water Compliance (in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) supports the Inspector-General.

Functions

The Inspector-General’s functions are set out in the Act and include:

• Oversight of other Commonwealth agencies under the Act
• Oversight of Basin State agencies under the Act
• Enforcing compliance with the Act
• Conducting inquiries into how agencies perform obligations under the Act
• Engaging with the Australian public on the management of Murray–Darling Basin water resources.

These functions focus on the integrity of the management of Basin water resources.

Frequently asked questions - Data accuracy on trade forms

The Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 places new requirements on people trading water. The Inspector-General of Water Compliance is responsible for enforcing these new rules.

These frequently asked questions provide general guidance and information.

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Frequently asked questions - Data accuracy on trade forms (PDF 154 KB)
Frequently asked questions - Data accuracy on trade forms (DOCX 239 KB)

Strategic Plan 2023-26

Since being established in 2021, the Inspector-General of Water Compliance has prioritised listening to and learning from the community and working with water managers charged with obligations under the Water Act 2007 and Basin Plan. Over the next four years, the Inspector-General will continue engaging – but will also increasingly act.

This Strategic Plan (the plan) sets out a map for making change happen. It outlines the Inspector-General’s vision, purpose, and the strategic impacts the role aims to achieve. The plan also shows how the performance of the Inspector-General will be measured —above all else, transparency will remain at the heart of everything they do.

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Strategic Plan 2023-26 (PDF 542 KB)
Strategic Plan 2023-26 (DOCX 1.2 MB)

Ministerial Statement of Expectations to the Inspector-General of Water Compliance

11 September 2024

This Statement of Expectations outlines the expectations of the Minister for the Environment and Water for how the Inspector-General of Water Compliance will achieve regulatory objectives and carry out regulatory functions.

IGWC Statement of Expectations - September 2024 (PDF 191 KB)
IGWC Statement of Expectations - September 2024 (DOCX 71 KB)

Policies and frameworks

Regulatory Policy

The Inspector-General of Water Compliance’s Regulatory Policy explains their roles and responsibilities. It provides guidance around how and when they will use their regulatory powers. The Regulatory Policy was developed by the Inspector-General through a consultative process. It has been updated to reflect legislative reforms that commenced on 1 July 2024, and is expected to be reviewed and updated as future reforms progressively commence over the next few years.

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Regulatory Policy (PDF 8 MB) 
Regulatory Policy (DOCX 3 MB)

Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Framework

The Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) Compliance Framework sets out the Inspector-General of Water Compliance’s expectations, requirements and approach to SDL compliance. It aims to provide transparency and confidence to the community.

An SDL sets out how much water, on average, can be used in the Murray-Darling Basin, while keeping the rivers and environment healthy. SDL accounts are maintained at the SDL resource unit scale and are not designed or intended to detect water taken by individual entitlement holders.

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Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Framework (PDF 782 KB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Framework (DOCX 1.5 MB)

SDL Compliance Framework - frequently asked questions (PDF 659 KB)
SDL Compliance Framework - frequently asked questions (DOCX 538 KB)

SDL Compliance Framework - fact sheet (PDF 222 KB)
SDL Compliance Framework - fact sheet (DOCX 339 KB)

Organisational structure

The Inspector-General, the Hon Troy Grant, is supported by the Deputy Inspector-General of Water Compliance, Assistant Inspector-General Regulation, Assistant Inspector-General Oversight, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel.

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Inspector-General of Water Compliance organisational structure (PDF 93 KB)
Inspector-General of Water Compliance organisational structure (DOCX 57 KB)