A NSW Government website

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 here

NSW Government update on Dungowan Dam

10 May 2023

Following the Federal Government’s decision last night to withdraw funding the NSW Government will not proceed with the Dungowan Dam project.

Healthier floodplains for Gwydir and the Northern Basin

30 January 2023

The NSW Government is rolling out site visits across the Gwydir and Barwon-Darling valleys to start bringing unapproved flood works into compliance and return water to floodplains, wetlands, rivers and creeks.

Learning about our floodplain wildlife

27 January 2023

The state’s swollen floodplains are alive with aquatic critters and new research is shining a spotlight on what kinds of fish, frogs, and other creatures call them home.

Winburndale Dam upgrade nears completion

25 January 2023

The $16 million Winburndale Dam Flood Security Upgrade is nearing its final stages, with 19 of 25 pre-stressed ground anchors now installed to reinforce the dam wall.

A smarter groundwater future starts now

21 December 2022

Communities and stakeholders across NSW can bank on a sustainable groundwater future thanks to the launch of the NSW Groundwater Strategy.

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 finds non-compliance in 17 Coffs horticulture operations

10 November 2020

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has released the results of Phase 3 of its intensive horticulture compliance campaign in Coffs Harbour.

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.