A NSW Government website

Media enquiries

For all water related media enquiries please email media@environment.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

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trades into the NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Murrumbidgee regulated river water sources to 30 September 2023, unless repealed earlier.

Secret life in our waterways unveiled

22 November 2022

A new environmental monitoring program is peeling back the curtain on the secret life of fish and other aquatic animals living in NSW’s coastal rivers.

No secret pact for water buybacks

16 November 2022

The NSW Government has reaffirmed its opposition to non-strategic water buybacks being used to meet water recovery targets as part of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

New water allocations reflect record rainfall in recent months

1 July 2022

The opening water allocations for NSW licenced water users reflect the significant turnaround from drought conditions to an abundance of water across the state.

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.

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

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.

NSW water allocations reflect some easing after record drought conditions

1 July 2021

Today’s opening water allocations announced by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for NSW licenced water users reflect continued recovery in available water resources across the state, Director of Water Planning Implementation

Supplementary allocation reductions for Gwydir and Border Rivers

8 June 2021

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has today advised that supplementary water allocations for the Gwydir and Border Rivers are likely to see reduced allocations commencing in the 2021-22 water year.

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.

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.