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trades into the NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Murrumbidgee regulated river water sources to 30 September 2023, unless repealed earlier.

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.

NRAR enforcement actions increase in July quarter despite statewide lockdown

14 December 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) took more enforcement actions between July and September than any other quarter in the previous 12 months, even though NSW was in lockdown.

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).

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.

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.

NRAR commences largest prosecution against a Moree irrigator

12 May 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has commenced a prosecution against a Moree irrigation company with a record 43 charges against the Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act) for allegedly taking water while metering equipment wasn’t

NRAR fines Armidale regional council for alleged unlawful water take

31 March 2021

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) issued the Armidale Regional Council two penalty notices for alleged unlawful water take between December 2019 and February 2020.

NRAR responds to incident in Lake Albert

16 February 2021

In January of this year, the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) received a complaint in relation to an alleged unlawful structure in Lake Albert, Wagga Wagga.

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.