TWO Tamworth farmers charged with taking water illegally from the Namoi River will fight the allegations in court.
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Malcolm Carter and Melissa-Anne Close appeared in Tamworth Local Court on Monday for the first time since they were both charged by the National Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) last month.
The Tamworth landholders are facing seven charges each of licensee contravene a term or a condition of an access licence.
The water watchdog alleges the non-compliance with the water licence occurred on two properties in the Tamworth area over a three-month period in 2018.
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On Monday, solicitor for the pair, George Hoddle, formally entered pleas of not guilty to all charges against the two.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Cynthia Donovan appeared in court on behalf of NRAR, who has now been given four weeks to compile the brief of evidence.
Magistrate Julie Soars ordered NRAR to serve the evidence it would rely on in court on Mr Hoddle's office by the first week of April.
The defence then has three weeks to consider the material before the case returns to court.
Ms Soars adjourned the charges to the end of April, where it's expected a hearing date will be set.
The charges relate to the pair allegedly taking water from the Namoi River outside of the flow conditions of their licences in August, October and November 2018.
The allegations fall under the Water Management Act for contravening the terms and conditions of their access licence on two properties.
If found guilty, the maximum penalty for the offence for individuals is $500,500.
Under NSW laws, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of $66,000 for each day the offence continues, also applies.
The water watchdog has made 17 prosecutions since its inception in April 2018.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
