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 hereFloodplain harvesting changes to balance needs
7 December 2023
To reduce the risk of over allocation, the NSW Government has announced changes to take a more measured and sustainable approach to the licensing of floodplain harvesting.
Last 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
Temporary restriction on interstate water trade
1 September 2023
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment today extended the temporary restriction on interstate water trades into the NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Murrumbidgee regulated river water sources to 30 September 2023, unless repealed earlier.
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
Floodplain management listening tour kicks off
14 June 2023
The NSW Government is calling for photos, drone footage and historical data from last year’s record flooding and previous years to underpin vital floodplain management plans being updated in the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Billabong Creek and Lachlan
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).
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.
Have your say on Namoi floodplain harvesting rules
1 December 2022
The NSW Government invites community feedback on the proposed floodplain harvesting rules for the Namoi valley.
Ken Matthews' statement on interim report
8 December 2021
Ken Matthews' announcement regarding his interim report for Independent Investigation into NSW Water Management and Compliance
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).