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.

Government taking action to help protect Menindee

22 April 2023

The NSW Government is taking proactive and precautionary action to help protect the Darling-Barka River as we move into cooler weather conditions.

Temporary water restriction for Upper Murrumbidgee River

3 February 2023

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has announced a temporary water restriction for the Upper Murrumbidgee River in the Murrumbidgee I and II water sources from Tuesday 7 February 2023.

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.

Hypoxic blackwater in western and southern NSW

23 December 2021

The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) is warning hypoxic blackwater conditions are occurring along the Barwon-Darling River, which have impacted fish, causing some recent deaths.

NRAR finds solution to protect natural streams in Moree Plains

8 November 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has helped to protect environmental flows in the Gwydir River system, by finding a solution to address a landholder’s alleged unlicensed water take.

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).

Cockburn River water connectivity study progressing

3 September 2021

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment today released a progress report into the water connectivity study being undertaken on the Cockburn River to assess interaction between surface and groundwater.

Temporary water restriction for Upper Lachlan groundwater extended

25 June 2021

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment today announced the extension of the temporary water restriction for the Upper Lachlan Groundwater Management Zone 1 in the Upper Lachlan Alluvial Groundwater Source.

Inter-Valley Trade with the Lower Darling is now open

13 May 2021

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has lifted the Lower- Darling inter-valley trade restriction.

NRAR sets sights on quarry compliance

25 March 2021

Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) officers will be visiting quarries in the Northern Rivers, the Hunter and Sydney Metro to assess their compliance with water laws.

NRAR works with leading satellite providers to conduct its monitoring campaign

28 January 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) worked with the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and Geoscience Australia (GA) to conduct the largest, most systematic monitoring effort in its history in 2020.