About reducing red tape
Improvement program to help make water licensing and approvals easier, simpler, and clearer for customers.
Water licensing improvement program
The NSW Government has committed $14.8 million to the 2022-23 budget to modernise and improve water licensing and approvals through the Water Licensing Improvement Program. The program will deliver an estimated $30.2 million in customer and economic benefits over the life of the program.
The Department of Planning and Environment is working in partnership with WaterNSW and the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) through the Water Licensing Improvement Program, to deliver much-needed improvements to water licensing and approvals for customers.
What the program delivers for customers
Each year, over 10,000 water licence and approval transactions take place, and the process is often complex, confusing, and time-consuming.
This 2-year program will simplify some of the key processes, policies and technology systems related to water licensing and approvals, through:
Government made easy
The program is contributing to a modern government by streamlining the water licensing and approval system, ensuring a smoother customer experience, and improved coordination between government agencies involved.
Reduced timeframes
The program is a vital component of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver a better planning system and reduced timeframes for planning assessments.
Our aim is to simplify the licensing process and minimise red tape, leading to great public benefits for the people of NSW.
Supporting regional productivity
We recognise the significance of water for regional communities, and this program aims to streamline access to licensing services.
By minimising the need for in-person processes, customers in rural areas will have more time to spend with their communities and businesses, and less time on paperwork.
Licensing improvements
As part of this two-year initiative, significant changes will be implemented in licensing processes with a focus on enhancing the customer experience. Some expected changes include:
- inputs by the department’s Water Group to major project development approval assessments and post-approval processes
- concurrence and referrals
- water supply works and use approvals
- updating water access licences in the registry maintained by NSW Land Registry Services (LRS).
Timeline
We are scoping changes to the licensing processes which have the most potential for improved, modernised customer experience. This includes changes to the processes for:
- inputs by the department's Water Group to Major Project development approval assessments and post-approval processes
- concurrence and referrals
- water supply works and use approvals
- updating water access licences in the registry maintained by NSW Land Registry Services (LRS).
We will deliver improvements from mid-2023 to mid-2024.
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Mid-2023
- Simpler and faster inputs by the department’s Water Group to major projects pre- and post- determination management.
- Improved concurrence and referrals processes
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Late 2023
- Easier water supply works and use approvals and amendments.
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Mid-2024
- Improved conversion of water access licences issued under the Water Act 1912 to the Water Management Act 2000.
- Digital notifications for temporary water restrictions under section 324 of the Water Management Act 2000.
Measuring benefits for customers
Our goal is to make a tangible and positive difference for customers when applying for and managing water licenses and approvals.
The NSW government is committed to transparency, so within the upcoming months, we will be sharing how we measure the benefits of this program and its results.
Keeping customers informed
The Water Group will collaborate with WaterNSW and NRAR to ensure customers are kept up to date on upcoming changes and improvements to the water licensing processes and policies. This will be done through existing customer newsletters, online information sessions, and updates on this website.
Contact us
For additional information and enquiries please call 1300 081 047 or email waterlicensing.servicedesk@dpie.nsw.gov.au
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