{"id":"nsw:act-1946-022","name":"Farm Water Supplies Act 1946","slug":"farm-water-supplies-act-1946","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"22 of 1946","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":111360,"registerId":"nsw-act-1946-022-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act and commencement","content":"#### 1 Name of Act and commencement\n\n1 Name of Act and commencement\n\n> > (1) This Act may be cited as the [Farm Water Supplies Act 1946](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1946-022).\n> \n> > (2) This Act shall commence upon a date to be appointed by the Governor and notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 2 Definitions\n\n2 Definitions\n\n> In this Act, unless the context or subject matter otherwise indicates or requires—\n> \n> Bore means any bore or well or any excavation or other work connected or proposed to be connected with sources of sub-surface water and used or proposed to be used or capable of being used to obtain supplies of sub-surface water, whether the water flows naturally at all times or has to be raised either wholly or at times by pumping or other artificial means.\n> \n> Farming lands means—\n> \n> > (a) lands used for farming, agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, vegetable-growing, market gardening, pastoral, grazing, poultry farming, silvicultural, floricultural or piscicultural purposes, and\n> \n> > (b) any other lands declared by the regulations made under this Act to be farming lands for the purposes of this Act.\n> \n> Owner in relation to land, includes every person who, jointly or severally, whether at law or in equity—\n> \n> > (a) is entitled to the land for any estate of freehold in possession, or\n> \n> > (b) is a person to whom the Crown has lawfully contracted to sell the land under the Crown Land Acts within the meaning of the [Crown Land Management Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2016-058) or any other Act relating to the alienation of lands of the Crown, or\n> \n> > (c) is entitled to receive, or is in receipt of, or if the land were let to a tenant would be entitled to receive, the rents and profits thereof, whether as beneficial owner, trustee, mortgagee in possession, or otherwise, or\n> \n> > (d) is the holder of a lease from the Crown or any statutory body representing the Crown.\n> \n> Rural Assistance Authority means the New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority constituted under the [Rural Assistance Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-097).\n> \n> Works means—\n> \n> > (a) works necessary for the provision or improvement of the water supply to farming lands for irrigation purposes, or for the preparation of farming lands for irrigation, whether or not involving the construction or improvement of a bore, or\n> \n> > (b) the construction or improvement of a bore for the provision or improvement of the water supply to farming lands for domestic or stock purposes.\n> \n> **s 2:** Am 1976 No 34, Sch 6; 1980 No 196, Sch 1; 1986 No 104, Schs 1 (1), 2 (2); 1989 No 98, Sch 1; 2017 No 17, Sch 4.29.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appropriate Authority for works","content":"#### 2A Appropriate Authority for works\n\n2A Appropriate Authority for works\n\n> In this Act, a reference to the appropriate Authority, in relation to any works, is a reference—\n> \n> > (a) to the Director-General of the Department of Industry and Investment to the extent to which the works do not involve the construction or improvement of a bore, or\n> \n> > (b) to the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation to the extent to which the works involve the construction or improvement of a bore.\n> \n> **s 2A:** Ins 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (2). Am 1986 No 205, Sch 2; 2010 No 59, Sch 2.30.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application for an advance","content":"#### 3 Application for an advance\n\n3 Application for an advance\n\n> > (1) Any owner of farming lands who desires an advance for the purpose of the carrying out of works may make an application to the Rural Assistance Authority for an advance.\n> \n> > (2) Such application shall be in a form approved by the Rural Assistance Authority and shall be accompanied by such deposit as the Rural Assistance Authority may require as security for the cost of the investigation in connection with such application, and such deposit may be applied by the Rural Assistance Authority in payment or part payment of the cost of such investigation.\n> \n> **s 3:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (3).","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Rural Assistance Authority may grant or refuse application","content":"#### 4 Rural Assistance Authority may grant or refuse application\n\n4 Rural Assistance Authority may grant or refuse application\n\n> > (1) Upon receipt of an application the Rural Assistance Authority shall decide whether or not an advance shall be made.\n> \n> > (2) Where the Rural Assistance Authority decides to make an advance it shall furnish to the applicant a statement setting out a description of the works which the Rural Assistance Authority has approved be carried out and specifying—\n> > \n> > > (a) where the works are to be carried out by any person other than the appropriate Authority—the amount proposed to be advanced, not exceeding 90 per cent of the cost of the works as estimated by the Rural Assistance Authority, or\n> > \n> > > (b) where the works are to be carried out by the appropriate Authority—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) the terms and conditions on which the appropriate Authority is prepared to carry out the works,\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) the charge which the appropriate Authority requires to be paid for the carrying out of the works by it or in the manner in which that charge is to be assessed, and\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) the amount, not less than 10 per cent of that charge, to be paid to the appropriate Authority under subsection (3).\n> \n> > (3) If, on receipt of the statement referred to in subsection (2), the applicant is desirous of obtaining the advance, the applicant shall notify the Rural Assistance Authority in a form approved by the Rural Assistance Authority, and where the applicant desires the works to be carried out by the appropriate Authority, the notification shall be accompanied by the amount set out in the statement referred to in subsection (2) to be paid to the appropriate Authority.\n> \n> **s 4:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (4).","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Rural Assistance Authority to make advances","content":"#### 5 Rural Assistance Authority to make advances\n\n5 Rural Assistance Authority to make advances\n\n> > (1) In any case where the applicant notifies the Rural Assistance Authority under section 4 (3) that the applicant desires the advance such advance shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be made by the Rural Assistance Authority by way of loan bearing interest at such rate as may be fixed by the Rural Assistance Authority from time to time.\n> \n> > (2), (3) (Repealed)\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 1986 No 104, Schs 1 (5), 2 (3); 1989 No 98, Sch 1.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions precedent to advances","content":"#### 6 Conditions precedent to advances\n\n6 Conditions precedent to advances\n\n> No advance shall be made under this Act unless the Rural Assistance Authority is satisfied—\n> \n> > (a) that farming operations will be carried on on the farming lands efficiently and with a reasonable prospect of success, and\n> \n> > (b) that the carrying out of the works in respect of such farming lands is necessary to ensure a more efficient carrying on of those operations on such lands.\n> \n> **s 6:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (6).","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amount of advance where works not carried out by appropriate Authority","content":"#### 7 Amount of advance where works not carried out by appropriate Authority\n\n7 Amount of advance where works not carried out by appropriate Authority\n\n> > (1) The amount of an advance to be made to an owner where the works are to be carried out by any person other than the appropriate Authority shall be finally determined by the Rural Assistance Authority upon the completion of the works and shall not exceed 90 per cent of the actual cost incurred by the owner in respect of the carrying out of the works.\n> \n> > (2) A certificate issued by the appropriate Authority certifying—\n> > \n> > > (a) that works have been completed, and\n> > \n> > > (b) that a specified amount is the actual cost incurred by an owner in respect of the carrying out of works,\n> > \n> > is evidence in favour of the Rural Assistance Authority of the matters certified.\n> \n> **s 7:** Subst 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (7).","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Payment of advance where works not carried out by appropriate Authority","content":"#### 8 Payment of advance where works not carried out by appropriate Authority\n\n8 Payment of advance where works not carried out by appropriate Authority\n\n> > (1) Where any works in respect of which an advance is to be made under this Act are carried out by any person, other than the appropriate Authority, such advance shall be made in such manner as the Rural Assistance Authority directs and upon the appropriate Authority notifying the Rural Assistance Authority that the works have been completed, or are partly completed, as the case may be.\n> \n> > (2) The appropriate Authority or the Rural Assistance Authority may, by its officers and servants, enter any land for the purpose of inspecting works referred to in subsection (1).\n> \n> **s 8:** Am 1970 No 5, sec 5; 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (8).","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appropriate Authority may carry out work where advance is made","content":"#### 9 Appropriate Authority may carry out work where advance is made\n\n9 Appropriate Authority may carry out work where advance is made\n\n> > (1) In any case where the owner desires the appropriate Authority so to do the appropriate Authority may for or on behalf of and at the cost of the owner carry out works in respect of which an advance is to be made under this Act.\n> \n> > (2) Any works carried out by the appropriate Authority under this section shall be carried out on such terms and conditions, including the charge to be paid therefor or the manner in which such charge is to be assessed, as may be agreed upon by the owner and the appropriate Authority.\n> \n> > (3) Where the charge to be paid by the owner for any works carried out by the appropriate Authority under this section is the actual cost incurred by the appropriate Authority in carrying out the works, the amount of the actual cost shall include all proper supervision costs and overhead expenses and the notification referred to in subsection (5) shall be accepted as final and conclusive evidence of such actual cost.\n> \n> > (4) Where any works are carried out by the appropriate Authority under this section, the amount of the advance to be made by the Rural Assistance Authority shall be the charge agreed to be paid by the owner to the appropriate Authority for the carrying out of the works less the amount paid to the appropriate Authority by the owner under the provisions of section 4 (3).\n> \n> > (5) On completion of any such works carried out by the appropriate Authority notification in writing issued by the appropriate Authority setting out the amount of the charge to be paid to the appropriate Authority for the carrying out of the works shall be forwarded to the Rural Assistance Authority whereupon the amount of the advance shall be paid to the appropriate Authority by the Rural Assistance Authority and thereupon the advance shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been made to the owner.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 1986 No 104, Schs 1 (9), 2 (4); 1987 No 209, Sch 14 (1); 1990 No 46, Sch 2.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appropriate Authority may let machinery etc on hire","content":"#### 10 Appropriate Authority may let machinery etc on hire\n\n10 Appropriate Authority may let machinery etc on hire\n\n> > (1) The appropriate Authority may let on hire any machinery, plant or equipment for the purpose of the carrying out of works by an owner of farming lands.\n> \n> > (2) Where the appropriate Authority has let out on hire any machinery, plant or equipment for the purpose of carrying out any works in respect of which an advance is to be made under this Act, the Rural Assistance Authority shall, out of the moneys to be advanced to the owner, pay to the appropriate Authority the amount of any such hire and any such amount shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been advanced to the owner.\n> \n> **s 10:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (10).","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Works of joint water supply","content":"#### 11 Works of joint water supply\n\n11 Works of joint water supply\n\n> > (1) The owners of two or more separate parcels of land who are desirous of having water supplied to their lands by means of a joint water supply scheme may, whether or not the whole of the works are to be constructed on the land of one owner, make an application for an advance for the carrying out of works for that purpose. The provisions of sections 3 (2) and 4 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to and in respect of an application under this section.\n> \n> > (2) The amount of every advance made in pursuance of an application lodged under this section shall be repaid by the whole of the owners in such proportions as may be agreed upon between them. Notification of such proportions shall be given to the Rural Assistance Authority when giving notification in accordance with section 4 (3).\n> \n> **s 11:** Am 1986 No 104, Schs 1 (11), 2 (5).","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repayment of advance secured by deed of charge","content":"#### 12 Repayment of advance secured by deed of charge\n\n12 Repayment of advance secured by deed of charge\n\n> > (1) The repayment of every advance made under this Act together with interest as hereinbefore provided shall be secured by a deed of charge over the farming lands of the owner in such form as may be required by the Rural Assistance Authority.\n> > \n> > Where the advance is made to two or more owners under section 11, each owner shall execute a deed of charge to secure the repayment of the owner’s respective proportion of the amount of the advance.\n> \n> > (2) Such deed of charge shall, where the works are to be carried out by any person, other than the appropriate Authority, be expressed to be made between the owner of the farming lands and the Rural Assistance Authority, and where the works are to be carried out by the appropriate Authority, be expressed to be made between the owner of the farming lands, the appropriate Authority and the Rural Assistance Authority, and shall provide for the repayment of the amount advanced to such owner by consecutive half-yearly instalments within a period, not exceeding fifteen years, determined by the Rural Assistance Authority, together with interest as aforesaid on the amount owing from time to time, and shall contain—\n> > \n> > > (a) a condition to the effect that in the event of the owner failing to maintain the works in respect of which the advance is made to the satisfaction of the Rural Assistance Authority the whole of the principal and interest secured by the charge shall at the option of the Rural Assistance Authority become immediately due and payable, and\n> > \n> > > (b) such other powers, covenants, provisions, conditions and clauses as the Rural Assistance Authority determines.\n> \n> > (3) Where any works are to be carried out by the appropriate Authority such deed of charge shall be executed by the owner before the commencement of the construction of the works by the appropriate Authority and where any works are to be carried out by any person, other than the appropriate Authority, such deed of charge shall be executed by the owner before any advance is made to the owner.\n> \n> > (4) Any sum payable under a deed of charge under this section shall be paid to the Rural Assistance Authority and shall, until so paid, be and remain a charge in its favour on the land mentioned in the deed, and shall be recoverable by the Rural Assistance Authority in any court of competent jurisdiction from the owner of the land for the time being.\n> \n> > (5) The provisions of this section have effect despite anything contained in section 42 of the [Real Property Act 1900](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1900-025).\n> \n> **s 12:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (12); 2009 No 17, Sch 3.8.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appropriate Authority may carry out work where advance is made","content":"#### 13 Appropriate Authority may carry out work where advance is made\n\n13 Appropriate Authority may carry out work where advance is made\n\n> > (1) Where the owner or occupier of any farming lands desires the appropriate Authority to carry out works and is prepared to pay in cash for the carrying out of such works, the appropriate Authority may carry out the works on such terms and conditions, including the charge to be paid therefor or the manner in which such charge is to be assessed, as may be agreed upon by the owner or occupier and the appropriate Authority.\n> \n> > (2) Notification in writing by the appropriate Authority certifying that a specified amount is the amount payable by the owner or occupier for any such works shall be forwarded to the owner or occupier and shall, where the charge to be paid for the works is the actual cost incurred by the appropriate Authority in carrying out the works, be accepted as final and conclusive evidence of the charge payable by the owner or occupier.\n> > \n> > Such amount until paid shall be and remain a debt due to the appropriate Authority and if not paid in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed upon shall be recoverable by the appropriate Authority in any court of competent jurisdiction.\n> \n> **s 13:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (13); 1987 No 209, Sch 14 (2).","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appropriate Authority may carry out investigations, prepare estimates etc","content":"#### 14 Appropriate Authority may carry out investigations, prepare estimates etc\n\n14 Appropriate Authority may carry out investigations, prepare estimates etc\n\n> > (1) The appropriate Authority may—\n> > \n> > > (a) supervise, on behalf of any owner, the carrying out of any works on any farming lands, and\n> > \n> > > (b) carry out surveys and investigations and prepare designs for and estimates of cost of any works proposed to be carried out on any farming lands.\n> \n> > (2) The charge to be paid to the appropriate Authority for any supervision or technical work carried out by it pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) may—\n> > \n> > > (a) where so agreed between the owner and the appropriate Authority be paid for in cash by the owner,\n> > \n> > > (b) be the subject of an advance under and in accordance with the provisions of this Act, or\n> > \n> > > (c) be included in the amount of any advance which is made under and in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the carrying out of any works.\n> \n> > (3) Where the charge for any supervision or technical work carried out by the appropriate Authority under the provisions of subsection (1) is the subject of an advance under and in accordance with the provisions of this Act, or where any such charge is included in the amount of any advance being made under and in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Rural Assistance Authority shall, out of the moneys to be advanced to the owner, pay the appropriate Authority the amount of such charge and any such amount paid by the Rural Assistance Authority to the appropriate Authority shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been advanced to the owner.\n> \n> **s 14:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (14).","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Entry on land and use of materials","content":"#### 15 Entry on land and use of materials\n\n15 Entry on land and use of materials\n\n> Where any works are to be carried out by the appropriate Authority under this Act the owner and the occupier of the farming lands on which the works are to be carried out shall for the purpose of enabling the appropriate Authority to carry out the said works grant to the appropriate Authority, its officers, workmen, servants, contractors or agents at all reasonable times, full and free right of ingress, egress and regress in, over or upon all or any of the farming lands and the right to the use of earth, stone, timber, gravel or sand or other materials or things dug, raised or obtained on such lands.\n> \n> **s 15:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (15).","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Work to be approved","content":"#### 16 Work to be approved\n\n16 Work to be approved\n\n> No work that is a water management work within the meaning of the [Water Management Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2000-092), which is proposed to be constructed or used for the purpose of—\n> \n> > (a) water conservation, irrigation, water supply, or drainage, or\n> \n> > (b) the prevention of inundation of land and overflow of water thereon, or\n> \n> > (c) changing the course of a river,\n> \n> shall be carried out under the provisions of this Act, unless and until the requisite approval under that Act has been obtained for the work.\n> \n> **s 16:** Am 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (16); 2000 No 92, Sch 8.11 \\[1\\] \\[2\\].","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"16A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loan to Board","content":"#### 16A Loan to Board\n\n16A Loan to Board\n\n> > (1) In this section—\n> > \n> > conveying works and supply work have the meanings respectively ascribed thereto in that Act.\n> > \n> > private water corporation means a private water corporation within the meaning of the [Water Management Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2000-092).\n> \n> > (2) A private water corporation may apply to the Rural Assistance Authority in a form approved by the Rural Assistance Authority for a loan for the purposes of—\n> > \n> > > (a) constructing, supplying or installing structures, meters or appliances forming part of a supply work or conveying works, or\n> > \n> > > (b) enlarging, modifying, repairing, operating, maintaining or renewing the supply work or conveying works.\n> \n> > (3) Subject to subsection (4), the Rural Assistance Authority may grant or refuse an application for a loan.\n> \n> > (4) A loan shall not be granted where the sum of the principal amounts owing in respect of loans made to a private water corporation under this section and the principal amount of a proposed loan under this section would exceed $10,000.\n> \n> > (5) Loan moneys shall not be paid to a private water corporation unless the corporation is, at the time of payment of the loan moneys, the holder of a water supply work approval under the [Water Management Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2000-092).\n> \n> > (6) A loan—\n> > \n> > > (a) shall be made by the Rural Assistance Authority,\n> > \n> > > (b) shall bear interest from the day of payment to the private water corporation of the loan moneys at the rate it would bear if it were an advance referred to in section 5 (1), and\n> > \n> > > (c) with the interest thereon, shall be payable by consecutive half-yearly instalments within such period not exceeding fifteen years as is determined by the Rural Assistance Authority.\n> \n> **s 16A:** Ins 1973 No 62, sec 2 (a). Am 1986 No 104, Schs 1 (17), 2 (6); 1989 No 98, Sch 1; 2000 No 92, Sch 8.11 \\[3\\] \\[4\\]; 2010 No 133, Sch 3.1\\[1\\]–\\[4\\].","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"16B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Security for loan","content":"#### 16B Security for loan\n\n16B Security for loan\n\n> A loan granted pursuant to section 16A (3) shall be advanced upon such security, and be subject to such covenants, conditions and provisions not inconsistent with section 16A, as the Rural Assistance Authority determines.\n> \n> **s 16B:** Ins 1973 No 62, sec 2 (a). Am 1986 No 104, Schs 1 (18), 2 (7).","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Offences","content":"#### 17 Offences\n\n17 Offences\n\n> Any person—\n> \n> > (a) who receives any advance or loan from the Rural Assistance Authority under this Act and in any manner directly or indirectly uses the same or permits the same to be used for any purpose other than the purpose for which the advance or loan was made, or\n> \n> > (b) who, while any money is owing to the Rural Assistance Authority in respect of any advance or loan under this Act, without the consent of the Rural Assistance Authority removes, sells or otherwise disposes of any machinery, plant or other thing forming part of any works for the carrying out of which such advance or loan was made,\n> \n> shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding 10 penalty units.\n> \n> **s 17:** Am 1970 No 5, Sch; 1973 No 62, sec 2 (b); 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (19); 1993 No 47, Sch 1.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 18 Regulations\n\n18 Regulations\n\n> > (1) The Governor may make regulations not inconsistent with this Act prescribing all matters which by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying this Act into effect, and may by such regulations impose a penalty not exceeding 5 penalty units for any breach thereof.\n> \n> > (2), (3) (Repealed)\n> \n> **s 18:** Am 1970 No 5, Sch; 1973 No 62, sec 2 (c); 1986 No 104, Sch 1 (20); 1987 No 48, Sch 32; 1993 No 47, Sch 1.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Recovery of penalties","content":"#### 19 Recovery of penalties\n\n19 Recovery of penalties\n\n> Any penalty imposed by this Act or the regulations thereunder may be recovered in a summary manner in the Local Court.\n> \n> **s 19:** Am 1973 No 62, sec 2 (d); 1986 No 104, Sch 2 (8); 2001 No 121, Sch 2.112; 2007 No 94, Sch 2.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal of Act does not affect operation of savings and transitional provisions","content":"#### 20 Repeal of Act does not affect operation of savings and transitional provisions\n\n20 Repeal of Act does not affect operation of savings and transitional provisions\n\n> > (1) Despite the repeal of the [Farm Water Supplies (Transfer of Functions) Amendment Act 1986](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1986-104), clauses 4, 5, 7 and 9 of Schedule 3 to that Act continue to have effect and are taken to have been transferred to this Act.\n> \n> > (2) Clauses 4, 5, 7 and 9 of Schedule 3 to the [Farm Water Supplies (Transfer of Functions) Amendment Act 1986](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1986-104) are transferred provisions to which section 30A of the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) applies.\n> \n> **s 20:** Ins 2007 No 82, Sch 4.3.","sortOrder":22}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1946 Act appears to have been focused on farm water supply advances for individual farmers. Over time, the scope expanded significantly: the 1973 amendments added loans to private water corporations (sections 16A-16B), the 1986 amendments restructured the administrative framework and transferred functions between departments, and the 2000 amendments integrated the Act with the Water Management Act 2000. The legislation has evolved from a simple farm loan scheme into a more complex system involving multiple authorities, private corporations, and integration with modern water management law."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms (6 key definitions in section 2, plus additional definitions in section 16A)","Split administrative responsibility between two different authorities depending on whether works involve bores (section 2A)","Nested conditional logic for different scenarios: works carried out by owner vs. appropriate Authority vs. joint applications","Cross-references to other Acts including Water Management Act 2000, Crown Land Management Act 2016, Rural Assistance Act 1989, and Real Property Act 1900","Complex repayment and security arrangements involving deeds of charge with multiple parties (section 12)","Historical amendment trail showing significant restructuring in 1986 and updates through 2017","Savings and transitional provisions in section 20 referencing repealed amendment Acts"],"plain_english_summary":"This law helps farmers in New South Wales get government loans to build or improve water supplies on their land.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Allows farmers who own agricultural land to apply for low-interest loans (called \"advances\") from the Rural Assistance Authority to pay for water infrastructure projects.\n- These projects can include building bores (wells), irrigation systems, or other works needed to get water for crops, livestock, or household use on the farm.\n- Farmers can either do the work themselves using the loan money, or ask a government body (the \"appropriate Authority\") to do the work for them.\n- The loans must be paid back over time (up to 15 years) and are secured by a legal charge over the farmer's land—meaning the government can claim the land if the loan isn't repaid.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Farmers and landowners in NSW who need better water supplies for agricultural purposes.\n- Private water corporations can also apply for smaller loans (up to $10,000) for water supply infrastructure.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- Farming in Australia often depends on reliable water. This Act provides a financing mechanism to help farmers invest in water infrastructure they might not otherwise afford, supporting agricultural productivity and drought resilience.\n\n**Key features:**\n- Loans cover up to 90% of project costs if farmers do the work themselves.\n- If a government body does the work, the farmer pays at least 10% upfront.\n- Multiple landowners can team up for joint water supply schemes.\n- The law also allows hiring government machinery and getting technical help for water projects."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The 1989 amendment transferring administrative responsibility from a 'Bank' to the 'Rural Assistance Authority' suggests a shift in how farm water assistance is delivered — moving from a commercial banking model to a government-run assistance framework. This represents a meaningful change in the institutional scope and likely the nature of assistance available to farmers, even if the core purpose (supporting farm water supplies) remained the same."},"complexity_factors":["Only metadata and status information were provided — the substantive provisions of the Act are absent, preventing full analysis","The Act has been amended multiple times across several decades, creating a layered legislative history that may require cross-referencing","The 1989 amendment replacing 'Bank' with 'Rural Assistance Authority' suggests institutional complexity in how assistance is administered","The Act dates from 1946, meaning it may use older drafting conventions and terminology that can be harder to interpret","The responsible body (Rural Assistance Authority) operates under its own separate legislation, adding an external layer to understand"],"plain_english_summary":"The Farm Water Supplies Act 1946 (NSW) is a long‑standing law that provides a framework for helping farmers and rural landholders in New South Wales develop or access on‑farm water supplies (dams, tanks, bores, etc.). Administered under the Minister for Agriculture, it appears to enable assistance (historically via a bank, since 1989 via the Rural Assistance Authority). It remains in force and matters for farm water infrastructure support."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No change of substantive scope is apparent within the text supplied. The Act continues to authorise advances/loans for farm water works for owners of farming lands and, subject to limits and approvals, certain private water corporations. Section 20 preserves earlier transferred provisions from the 1986 amendment, indicating continuity rather than an expansion or narrowing of the Act’s coverage."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple decision-makers and discretionary powers: Rural Assistance Authority decides eligibility, loan amount, interest rate and repayment terms (ss 3–6, 5, 12).","Role of an 'appropriate Authority' split by activity: Director‑General for non‑bore works vs Water Administration Ministerial Corporation for bores (s 2A), affecting who contracts, charges and supervises works (ss 4, 9, 13–15).","Financial mechanics and security: advances/loans, interest (rate set by the Authority), instalments up to 15 years, deeds of charge over land and producers’ joint liability rules (ss 5, 12, 16A–16B).","Procedural requirements and evidence: prescribed application forms, deposits for investigations, certificates of completion and entry/inspection powers (ss 3, 4, 7–8, 14–15).","Cross‑statutory links and approvals: mandatory conformity with Water Management Act 2000 for water management works, references to Real Property Act 1900 and Crown Land Management Act 2016 (s 16; s 12(5); definitions).","Special regime for private water corporations with a loan cap and approval condition ($10,000 cap; holder of water supply work approval required) (ss 16A(3)–(5), 16B).","Regulatory and enforcement layer: penalties, regulation‑making power and summary recovery in Local Court introduce administrative and compliance risk (ss 17–19, 18).","Transitional and savings complexity: preservation and transfer of earlier amendment clauses via s 20 creates continuity issues for interpretation and historical obligations."],"plain_english_summary":"The Farm Water Supplies Act 1946 creates a loan-and-advance scheme, administered by the Rural Assistance Authority, to fund water-supply works (including bores) for owners of farming lands and, in limited cases, private water corporations. It sets out how to apply, how decisions are made, repayment terms (secured by deeds, instalments up to 15 years) and enforcement, and requires certain works to have approvals under the Water Management Act 2000. It matters because it allocates cost, decision-making power and compliance obligations for on‑farm water infrastructure."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/farm-water-supplies-act-1946","history":"/api/acts/farm-water-supplies-act-1946/history","analysis":"/api/acts/farm-water-supplies-act-1946/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/farm-water-supplies-act-1946/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/farm-water-supplies-act-1946/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/farm-water-supplies-act-1946/documents"}}