Media enquiries
For all water related media enquiries please email watermedia@dpie.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 hereWater allocations reflect continued good water availability
1 July 2024
Today’s mostly full opening water allocations reflect the state’s continued good water availability following consecutive wet years. This is good news for licenced water users, who will see most entitlements nearing maximum allowable levels.
NSW hits another Basin Plan milestone
26 June 2024
NSW is charging towards the finish line with four more of its water resource plans accredited by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
Environmental flush to tackle algae in the lower Darling-Baaka
29 May 2024
The NSW Government will begin delivering a flush of water from the upper Menindee Lakes through the lower Darling-Baaka River this week to help clear the current infestation of blue-green algae impacting local communities.
New South Wales Basin projects given a new life
27 February 2024
Following the successful passage of the Federal Government’s bill to rescue the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, New South Wales is getting straight to work to deliver important water saving projects.
NSW puts options on the table to avoid buybacks
22 February 2024
The NSW Government is continuing to work to minimise the expose of our regional communities to water buybacks, with the release of the NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan today.
Reconnecting River Country program reaches out to the Murrumbidgee
19 January 2024
Landholders and Aboriginal communities along the Murrumbidgee River are being encouraged to reach out to the NSW Government’s Reconnecting River Country program and provide feedback to improve the way water for the environment is delivered.
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trades into the NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Murrumbidgee regulated river water sources to 30 September 2023, unless repealed earlier.
Response to Chief Scientist Report on fish deaths
1 September 2023
The NSW Government welcomes the findings of the Independent Review by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) into the deaths of millions of fish along the Darling-Baaka River near Menindee earlier this year.
All 20 NSW water resource plans lodged
14 February 2023
NSW has made significant progress towards its obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, having now lodged its final water resource plans to the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
NRAR visits Dubbo and Hillston in next leg of Operation Drawdown
28 September 2020
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) begins the next leg of Operation Drawdown this week, targeting bores which appear to be exceeding their extraction limits.
Temporary water restriction for Upper Lachlan groundwater
2 July 2020
The department announced a temporary water restriction for the Upper Lachlan groundwater management zone 1 in the Upper Lachlan Alluvial Groundwater Source.
NSW Water Allocations reflect some easing after record drought conditions
1 July 2020
Today’s water allocations announced by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for licensed water users reflect some improvement in resource availability, particularly for towns and high priority entitlements.