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
In May 2025 the EPA launched 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 project was designed to gain insights into the presence of pesticides in the region's waterways and inform our ongoing pesticide and compliance work.
- Quarterly samples were collected from 10 priority sites in the Coffs Harbour LGA and 10 priority sites in the Nambucca Valley LGA.
- Annual samples were collected from an additional 11 sites in Coffs Harbour and 2 sites in Nambucca Valley.
All samples were 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.
Coffs Harbour overview
- As of July 2026, 4 sampling rounds have been completed. The initial sampling round in May 2025 included the 10 priority and 11 annual sampling sites, while subsequent rounds in September 2025, February 2026 and May 2026 focused on priority sites only.
- Since monitoring commenced in May 2025, pesticides have been detected at multiple waterways across the Coffs Harbour local government area.
- Pesticide detections were recorded at Double Crossing Creek (Hearnes Lake) and Willis Creek during every sampling round completed to date. Recurring detections have also been recorded at Coffs Creek and Houp Gully (Hearnes Lake), where pesticides were detected in three of the four sampling rounds.
- The highest number of pesticide detections generally occurred following significant rainfall events.
Regulatory action
Sampling data gathered as part of the program has led the EPA to investigate horticultural operations in the Willis Creek and Hearnes Lake (Double-Crossing Creek and Houp Gully) catchments as a priority.
Willis Creek Catchment
EPA investigations identified multiple non-compliances at cucumber-growing operations in the area. Enforcement actions included:
- a $30,000 penalty issued to one grower for water pollution. The same grower was also issued a $1000 penalty for using pesticides without the required qualifications, an official caution for failing to comply with an EPA notice and a formal warning for inadequate record keeping.
- two additional growers received a penalty notice and formal warning for poor record-keeping practices.
Hearnes Lake Catchment
Regulatory action in this catchment included:
- a prevention notice and formal warning issued to a cucumber grower for environmentally unsatisfactory practices and poor record keeping.
- a clean up notice issued to cucumber and blueberry operation for pesticide pollution, requiring improvements to on-farm pollution prevention measures. All required actions under this notice have now been completed.
The EPA is continuing to use water quality monitoring data to undertake strategic and targeted compliance campaigns in key catchments of concern.
Nambucca Valley overview
- Four sampling rounds have been completed to date. The initial sampling round in July 2025 included the 10 priority sites and 2 annual sampling sites, and subsequent rounds in October 2025, February 2026, and April 2026 focused on priority sites only.
- Pesticides were not detected in 3 of the 4 sampling rounds.
- The only pesticide detection occurred during the October 2025 sampling round at the South Creek site in Bowraville, following approximately 50mm of rainfall.
- Results to date suggest that the presence of pesticides in monitored waterways across the Nambucca Valley LGA has been limited and infrequent.
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
No detections on 16 February 2026
No detections on 6 May 2026
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 0.07 | 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
No detections on 16 February 2026
No detections on 6 May 2026
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | µg/L | µg/L | ||
| Azoxystrobin | N/A | 0.1 | |||
| Chlorantraniliprole | N/A | 0.2 | |||
| 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
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 0.05 | |||
| Propiconazole | N/A | ||||
| Simazine | 12 µg/L | 0.08 | |||
| Tebuconazole | N/A |
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 24/9/25 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 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 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 0.11 | 0.08 |
| 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 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 0.22 | 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 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 0.04 | 0.07 |
| 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 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | 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 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | 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 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | 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 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | 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 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | 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 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | 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 6 May 2026
No detections on 12 May 2025
No detections on 6 May 2026
No detections on 12 May 2025
No detections on 6 May 2026
Note: This site has been sampled more frequently than originally planned to obtain additional data to support farm investigations in that immediate Willis Creek catchment.
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 12/5/25 | 16/2/26 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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 | 8.84 | 7.44 |
| 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 | 6/5/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| 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 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 29 October 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
| Pesticide (µg/L) | Guideline Values * | 24/7/25 | 29/10/25 | 10/2/26 | 21/4/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µg/L | µg/L | 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
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
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 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
Note: This site was sampled an additional time to support the EPA’s Environmental Health Branch’s Nambucca Valley Snapshot project.
No detections on 24 July 2025
No detections on 10 February 2026
No detections on 21 April 2026
Note: This site was sampled an additional time to support the EPA’s Environmental Health Branch’s Nambucca Valley Snapshot project.
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.