About the strategy
The NSW Government is developing the Fish River-Wywandy Regional Water Strategy to address water issues for Lithgow and its surrounds, the Upper Macquarie and the Upper Blue Mountains.
The strategy will cover an area that lies within the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri and Dharug nations (see map below).
The strategy will overlap areas covered by the Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy and the Greater Sydney Water Strategy.
- Energy and economic transition: Coal mining and coal-fired electricity production have long been the backbone of the region’s economy, but that is now changing. The strategy will consider how to manage and potentially reallocate water entitlements currently allocated for these purposes as the NSW energy system shifts away from using fossil fuels.
- Town water security: Changes in population and climate in the coming decades may affect the security of town water supplies in the region. The strategy will consider different options to improve the region’s water security and reduce water supply risks for the region's towns in a changing climate.
- Fish River Water Supply Scheme: WaterNSW's Fish River water supply scheme supplies water to Oberon, Lithgow and its satellite towns, Mt Piper power station and the Upper Blue Mountains. This infrastructure is a critical part of the region's water supply. The scheme was originally built in the 1940s and expanded in the 1960s, but the water needs of the region have changed significantly since then. The strategy will consider the future operation of the scheme and will propose actions to ensure that it continues to meet community needs.
- Water for Aboriginal communities: The strategy will consider the water needs of local Aboriginal communities and will be developed in consultation with the Macquarie and Greater Sydney Regional Aboriginal Water Committees.
- Healthier rivers and catchments: Some riverine and water-dependent ecosystems of the Coxs River and Fish Rivers catchments are heavily modified. We will take a closer look at the health of these environments and ecosystems and will consider any options there may be to improve them.
Timing and consultation
The department is currently investigating the water issues of the region and developing its approach to the strategy. Robust and meaningful community consultation is vital to the process. We will be in a position to commence consultation on the development of the draft strategy in 2026.
Contact us
Please email the Regional Water Strategies program at regionalwater.strategies@dpie.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions.