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

Opportunity to obtain Water Access Licences

4 March 2022

Purchase water access licences across 55 different water sources within NSW.

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 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).

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.

Roll out of the Snowy Water Licence amendments

2 December 2020

The NSW Government has commenced implementation of the actions resulting from the 10-year review of the Snowy Water Licence.

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 monitoring program to begin in Armidale

15 September 2020

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) will triple the number of site inspections it carries out thanks to an increase in on-ground personnel under its new Routine Monitoring Program.

Water regulator commences prosecution of mine at Maules Creek

2 July 2020

The state’s independent water regulator has commenced prosecution in the Land and Environment Court of a mine operator at Maules Creek near Boggabri in the state’s north west.

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.

NRAR fines Port Macquarie area water carter

25 June 2020

The state’s independent water regulator, the Natural Resources Access Regulator, has issued multiple fines to a Port Macquarie area water carter for allegedly taking water from the Wilson River without a water licence or approvals.