Media enquiries
For all water related media enquiries please email watermedia@dpie.nsw.gov.au
Subscribe to updates
To stay updated on water management matters, water projects and plans, visit our subscription centre and select the topics that matter to you most.
Sign up hereFlood works remediation to deliver healthier floodplains
30 August 2022
The NSW Government is leading the charge in returning water to floodplains, wetlands, rivers and creeks by bringing unapproved flood works into compliance across the northern Basin.
State-first strategy to secure future of NSW groundwater
5 July 2022
The draft NSW Groundwater Strategy, the state’s first-ever long-term roadmap for the sustainable management of its vast and precious groundwater resources.
Narrabri irrigator fined over unlawful water take
7 December 2021
A Narrabri based landholder has been fined $10,000 following prosecution by the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) for alleged breaches of the Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act).
Opportunity to obtain new water access licence
15 October 2021
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is making new water access licences available in 47 groundwater sources across NSW.
Update on flood events in northwest NSW
21 December 2020
The Bureau of Meteorology advises that widespread rainfall, including possible heavy localised falls, is forecast across much of inland northern NSW river valleys over the next 12-18 hours.
Flood event in Gwydir Valley
17 December 2020
There are reports of heavy rain in the Gwydir region which could lead to overland flows.
NRAR visits Dubbo and Hillston in next leg of Operation Drawdown
28 September 2020
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) begins the next leg of Operation Drawdown this week, targeting bores which appear to be exceeding their extraction limits.
Independent panel releases final report on first flush event
9 September 2020
An independent panel commissioned to assess the management of the 2020 Northern Basin first flush event has released its final report, Secretary for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Jim Betts has announced.
Independent panel releases draft assessment of Northern Basin first flush event
13 July 2020
The first stage of the Independent Panel Assessment of the Management of the 2020 Northern Basin First Flush Event has been completed and a draft report is now available, Secretary of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Jim Betts
Temporary water restriction for Upper Lachlan groundwater
2 July 2020
The department announced a temporary water restriction for the Upper Lachlan groundwater management zone 1 in the Upper Lachlan Alluvial Groundwater Source.
NSW Groundwater allocations
25 June 2020
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is making new water access licences available in 43 groundwater sources across NSW.
Operation Drawdown to target overextracting bores in Griffith area
3 June 2020
The state’s water regulator will be visiting properties with bores in the Griffith area in mid-June after a ‘desktop audit’ found almost 10 per cent of bores in the area may be extracting more water than allowed.