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 hereLast chance to have your say on stock and domestic rights
3 November 2023
NSW water users have two weeks left to complete the Stock and Domestic Rights survey as part of a broader review into understanding how water is extracted and managed under these rights, and whether any changes are needed.
Coastal harvestable rights return to 10 per cent
27 September 2023
Coastal harvestable rights will return to 10 percent in NSW, with the NSW Government overturning a decision by the former government to increase the amount of rainfall run-off that can be harvested to 30 percent without doing the work necessary to
Domestic and stock rights review
21 August 2023
The Department of Planning and Environment is launching its first survey on domestic and stock rights to get a clearer snapshot of how water extracted under these rights is being used, and whether any changes are needed to improve the way its
All 20 NSW water resource plans lodged
14 February 2023
NSW has made significant progress towards its obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, having now lodged its final water resource plans to the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
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.
Snowy River high-flows to commence in late May
2 May 2022
The first of nine planned high-flow environmental water releases to the Snowy River will begin on Tuesday 31 May 2022.
Opportunity to obtain Water Access Licences
4 March 2022
Purchase water access licences across 55 different water sources within NSW.
Managing the risk of a significant hypoxic blackwater event at Menindee Lakes
7 February 2022
High floodwaters that are low in dissolved oxygen levels are continuing to move downstream from the Barwon-Darling River to the Menindee Lakes increasing the risk of fish deaths.
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).
NRAR lays 13 charges over alleged water access breaches in state’s south-west
1 December 2021
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) is prosecuting a landholder from the western Riverina for allegedly overdrawing 2700 megalitres (ML) of water from a Water Access Licence (WAL).
Maules Creek Coal judgement strengthened by enforceable undertaking
25 November 2021
The Land and Environment Court convicted and ordered a fine of $200,000 to Whitehaven Coal-owned Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd yesterday, in a matter brought by the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR).
NRAR works with illicit tobacco taskforce on latest prosecution
18 October 2021
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has commenced a prosecution against a company and an individual based in the Southern Tablelands for alleged breaches of the Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act).