Mid North Coast pesticides monitoring and compliance
The Mid North Coast of NSW is a priority focus for the EPA's pesticide compliance work because of the growing number of intensive horticulture operations in the region.
As the state’s key environmental regulator, our focus is on ensuring registered pesticides are used in accordance with regulations to minimise any potential impacts on the environment.
We carry out proactive and reactive compliance and education campaigns to ensure landowners and operators use pesticides safely and responsibly. We also conduct investigations in response to allegations of pesticide misuse and take regulatory and enforcement action as needed.
Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Valley Pesticide Water Monitoring Project
We have started a 12-month project to monitor pesticide levels and types at priority waterways across the Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Valley local government areas. This follows earlier monitoring and compliance work from 2021 to 2024.
The data gathered will help build our knowledge of the presence of pesticides in the region's waterways and inform our ongoing pesticide and compliance work.
- Quarterly samples will be collected from 10 priority sites in the Coffs Harbour LGA and 10 priority sites in the Nambucca Valley LGA.
- Annual samples will be collected from an additional 11 sites in Coffs Harbour and 2 sites in Nambucca Valley.
All samples will be analysed at a NATA accredited laboratory for 150 different types of pesticides, along with 31 metals and trace metals.
Selection of the 150 pesticides was informed by prior detections in regional waterways and their documented use within the local horticultural industry.
Sampling results are published on this page as they become available.
Coffs Harbour overview
- Sampling at all 21 sites in May (quarterly and annual sampling sites) coincided with approximately 30mm of heavy rainfall across the catchments where samples were taken, which increases the chances of contaminants, including pesticides, being flushed into waterways.
- In May pesticides were detected in samples collected from Arrawarra Ck, Bonville Ck, Coffs Ck, Darkum Ck, Hearnes Lake, Double Crossing Creek, Houp Gully, Jordans Ck, Moonee Ck, Willis Creek, Woolgoolga Creek and Woolgoolga Lake.
- In September, 10 priority sites were sampled, with pesticides detected in samples collected from Darkum Creek, Double Crossing Creek and Willis Creek.
- The EPA is now investigating horticultural activities in the Willis Creek catchment, as well as Double Creek Crossing and Hope Gully catchments.
Nambucca Valley overview
- 12 sites were sampled in July. No pesticides were detected.
- In October, 10 priority sites were sampled, with one pesticide detected at South Creek, Bowraville.
- Up to 50mm of rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours before October sampling, which increases the chances of contaminants, including pesticides, being flushed into waterways.
Sampling locations and results
Use the viewer below to zoom in and pan to the sampling locations. Each location has a site code which corresponds to the location name shown in the individual results sections below the map.
Open the full viewer in a standalone window for more detail.
Notes on interpreting the data:
- All sites were analysed for 150 individual pesticides by a NATA accredited laboratory.
- A blank cell in a site column means that particular pesticide was not detected.
- Guideline Values: Refer to the Default Guideline Values (DGV) for toxicants for water quality in aquatic ecosystems.
- Not all pesticides have DGV established by the Australian Government. The available DGV for pesticides detected as part of this project are listed in the tables with background information from Water Quality Australia for each pesticide available below.
- A pesticide detection or DGV exceedance does not necessarily indicate a hazard to aquatic ecosystems. Additional data is needed to accurately assess pesticide hazard or risk.
- This data is intended to provide state and local government with information that may lead to further exploration of pesticide use, water quality and catchment investigation. It will also help guide government engagement activity with local agricultural industry and interested community.
- This data will be updated as the project continues.
No detections on 12 May 2025
No detections on 24 September 2025
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | ||
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | ||
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | ||
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.03 | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | ||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | ||
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
No detections on 12 May 2025
No detections on 24 September 2025
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | 0.1 | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | ||
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | ||
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.03 | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | ||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | 0.08 | |
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
No detections on 12 May 2025
No detections on 24 September 2025
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | ||
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | ||
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | ||
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.02 | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | ||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | ||
| Tebuconazole | N/A | 0.02 |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | ||
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | ||
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | ||
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.06 | 0.02 |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | ||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | ||
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | ||
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | ||
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | ||
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.04 | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | ||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | ||
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | ||
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | ||
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | 0.01 | |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | 0.05 | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | ||
| Tebuconazole | N/A | 0.02 |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | ||
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | 0.02 | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | 0.01 | |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.02 | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | ||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | ||
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
Sites sampled annually
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | |
| Tebuconazole | N/A | 0.01 |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | 0.06 |
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.07 |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | 0.08 |
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.05 |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | |
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | 0.01 |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | 0.1 |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | |
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | 0.07 |
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
No detections on 12 May 2025
No detections on 12 May 2025
No detections on 12 May 2025
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | 0.4 |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | 0.04 |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | 0.02 |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.4 |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | 0.2 |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | 0.2 |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | 0.05 |
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 |
|---|---|---|
| µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | |
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | |
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | 0.01 |
| Haloxyfop | N/A | |
| Imidacloprid | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | |
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | |
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | |
| Propiconazole | N/A | |
| Tebuconazole | N/A | 0.01 |
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 24/7/25 | 29/10/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | ||
| Dimethoate | 0.15 µg/L | ||
| Fipronil | 0.018 µg/L | ||
| Haloxyfop | N/A | ||
| Imidacloprid | N/A | 0.01 | |
| Metalaxyl | N/A | ||
| Metalaxyl-M | N/A | ||
| Methomyl | 3.5 µg/L | ||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | ||
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
Sites sampled annually
Samples will be taken from the following 2 waterways in the Nambucca Valley annually.
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 24 July 2025
Previous water quality monitoring
Since 2021, water quality monitoring initiatives undertaken by both the EPA and the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have consistently detected common horticultural pesticides in most Coffs Harbour waterways. Of particular concern are ongoing, high-level pesticide detections in Hearnes Lake and its catchment, part of which lies within the protected Solitary Islands Marine Park (SIMP).
In March 2024, the EPA partnered with Nambucca Valley Council to monitor 9 local waterways for pesticides. Results showed that water quality was not being significantly impacted by excessive pesticide use. However, the rapid expansion of intensive horticulture in the region highlights the need for continued, systematic monitoring to further identify any potential impacts to water quality in the area.
Previous compliance inspections
We conduct compliance inspections near Woolgoolga to improve grower awareness of compliance and environmental issues in the Hearnes Lake catchment.
Following inspections between 2021 and 2023, we conducted 21 investigations that have resulted in 15 Penalty Notices, 7 Official Cautions and 8 Formal Warnings and 14 Advisory letters issued for water pollution and pesticide offences. We also issued 14 Prevention and 6 Clean-up Notices to farmers with directions to cease wastewater discharge to the environment by installing wastewater capture and on-site reuse or irrigation systems.
Follow-up inspections have found a high level of compliance – most farms have installed wastewater capture and irrigation systems, upgraded or installed new pesticide storage enclosures, and engaged in better waste management practices on farm.
In March 2024, the EPA partnered with Nambucca Valley Council to monitor 9 local waterways for pesticides.
Water samples from Eungai Creek, Snakey Creek, Taylors Arm, Blackbutt Creek, Nambucca River, South Creek, Newee Creek, Deep Creek and Oyster Creek were tested for 96 pesticides, including commonly used herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.
Three different pesticides were detected at low levels in 3 creeks. The levels detected were below National Water Quality Guidelines.
These results show that water quality was not being impacted by excessive amounts of pesticides at the time of testing. However, it did identify that further improvements at some local farms were needed.
Following these sampling results, EPA officers inspected 7 farms. These inspections resulted in 1 Clean Up Notice for pesticide storage and waste issues, 1 Penalty Notice, 1 Formal Warning, 4 Official Cautions and 1 Advisory Letter.