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

NRAR’s latest quarterly report highlights breaches in south-western border

14 December 2021

The NSW water regulator issued six fines in the Wentworth area between July and September 2021.

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

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).

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.

Oberon community the winner after regulator's deal with gardens

16 September 2021

In a win for the Oberon community, a local business has offered to establish several programs to benefit vulnerable local groups and school students, as an alternative to other enforcement action for water law breaches.

Organisations needed to run First Nations water management traineeship program

14 September 2021

The NSW Government is calling for organisations to submit a proposal to deliver a First Nations metering traineeship program.

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.

NRAR takes action as 45% of affected pumps not fitted with accurate meters

13 July 2021

The state’s independent water regulator has found that while most pumps 500mm and above are now fully compliant, or on the pathway to compliance, with new metering regulations, there are still pumps not fitted with accurate meters.

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.

Harrington spearpoints in NRAR's sights

21 June 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has finished a three-month campaign focused on unlawful spearpoints along the Manning River in Harrington.

Groundwater dashboard delivers key advice to water users

25 May 2021

Water users are better informed on groundwater availability thanks to a dashboard now available on the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s website.

NRAR routine monitoring staff travelled twice the distance of the globe and found the most troublesome compliance issue

13 May 2021

In October 2020, the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) launched its ambitious routine monitoring program with an additional 30 field officers based in Deniliquin, Dubbo and Tamworth.