Who’s who in NSW water management

Local, state and federal agencies all play a part in managing water in NSW.

State

The department is responsible for managing NSW’s surface water and groundwater resources (this includes issuing water access licences and approvals for certain water users and purposes).
It develops and oversees the state’s water-related laws and policies as well as ensures NSW’s water resources are secure and sustainable by establishing regional and metropolitan water strategies and water sharing plans.
The department supervises NSW’s local water utilities – making sure the water and wastewater services they provide to their communities are safe, secure and sustainable.
It also leads collaboration and negotiations with the Commonwealth and other states and agencies (including the Murray-Darling Basin Authority) on water-related issues.

The Biodiversity, Conservation and Science Group is responsible for managing the state’s environmental water – to support rivers, wetlands and flooodplains for regional communities and the plants and animals that live there.
It also develops long-term environmental water and floodplain management plans as well as works with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office to manage environmental water held by the Commonwealth Government.

NRAR is NSW’s independent water regulator – responsible for ensuring compliance with and enforcement of the state’s water laws.
It conducts compliance monitoring and education, investigates breaches of water laws and undertakes enforcement action when non-compliance is detected.
NRAR is directed by an independent board.

Visit NRAR

Local water utilities are responsible for delivering safe, secure, efficient, sustainable, and affordable water supply and sewerage services to 1.85 million people in regional NSW. They protect public health and the environment and support economic development and liveability.
Local water utilities in regional NSW include utilities exercising water supply and sewerage functions under the NSW Water Management Act 2000, and local government councils exercising water supply and sewerage functions under Division 2 Part 3 Chapter 6 of the NSW Local Government Act 1993.

WaterNSW is a state-owned corporation – responsible for supplying around 65 percent of all water used in NSW.
It operates the largest surface and groundwater monitoring network in the southern hemisphere and delivers essential water supply infrastructure across the state.
WaterNSW also issues water access licences and approvals for rural landholders and industries as well as certain developments.
To provide greater clarity and transparency of the Government’s strategic direction for State Owned Corporations (SOCs) in the water sector, the Minister for Lands and Water, the Treasurer and the Minister for Finance have issued Statement of Expectations (SoEs) for Sydney Water Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation and Water NSW. See WaterNSW SoE for more information.

Sydney Water is a State Owned Corporation (SOC) and local water utility responsible for providing water, wastewater, recycled water and some storm water services to more than 5 million people in Greater Sydney and the Illawarra.
To provide greater clarity and transparency of the Government’s strategic direction for State Owned Corporations (SOCs) in the water sector, the Minister for Lands and Water, the Treasurer and the Minister for Finance have issued Statement of Expectations (SoEs) for Sydney Water Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation and Water NSW. See Sydney Water’s SoE for more information.

Hunter Water is a State Owned Corporation (SOC) and local water utility responsible for providing drinking water, wastewater, recycled water and some stormwater services to a population of almost 600,000 people in homes and businesses across the Lower Hunter.
To provide greater clarity and transparency of the Government’s strategic direction for State Owned Corporations (SOCs) in the water sector, the Minister for Lands and Water, the Treasurer and the Minister for Finance have issued Statement of Expectations (SoEs) for Sydney Water Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation and Water NSW. See Hunter Water’s SoE for more information.

The MDBA is an independent, expertise-based statutory agency - responsible for water resource planning that’s in the interests of the Basin as a whole.
It monitors and investigates the quality and quantity of the Basin’s water resources and dependent ecosystems as well as helps facilitate water use and trading across the Basin.
The MDBA works collectively with the Commonwealth Government, Basin state governments and river dependent industries and communities to sustainably manage the Murray-Darling River system.

Manages the Australian Government’s environmental water holdings so as to protect or restore environmental assets. This water will be used to protect and restore key environmental sites, including the health of rivers and wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin.

The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water provides national leadership in water reform to improve the sustainable management of Australia’s water resources for agriculture, the environment and communities.
It is responsible for managing the use of water resources through the National Water Initiative, and Murray-Darling Basin Plan, as well as urban water policy, and water quality improvement.
The department also administers key Commonwealth funding programs related to water management reforms.