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

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.

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

A smarter groundwater future starts now

21 December 2022

Communities and stakeholders across NSW can bank on a sustainable groundwater future thanks to the launch of the NSW Groundwater Strategy.

Opportunity to obtain a new groundwater access licence

17 October 2022

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is making new water access licenses available in 54 groundwater sources across NSW.

State-first strategy to secure future of NSW groundwater

5 July 2022

The NSW Government today released the draft NSW Groundwater Strategy, the state’s first-ever long-term roadmap for the sustainable management of its vast and precious groundwater resources.

Opportunity to obtain Water Access Licences

4 March 2022

The opportunity to purchase water access licences across 55 different water sources within NSW will provide added water security to existing operations, allow additional water for new or expanding business and help improve the economies of regional

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).

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.

DPIE optimises best-practice management of the Snowy Water Licence

29 June 2021

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has taken a significant step towards ensuring best-practice management of the Snowy Water Licence after its first 10-year review.

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 commences 3 prosecutions to ring in 3rd year

12 May 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) commenced two prosecutions in the Land and Environment Court and another in the Tenterfield Local Court last week.

NRAR prosecutes earthmoving company for alleged water law breaches

12 May 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has charged a Queensland-based earthmoving company for allegedly breaching the Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act) by constructing a bore without the required approval.