Water Management
Key water policies
The following policy documents set out the key strategic directions and objectives of water management in NSW:
- State Plan – released in 2006, this Plan sets targets for securing a sustainable water supply for NSW users and for better environmental outcomes for NSW natural resources
- The Metropolitan Water Plan is a comprehensive plan which secures the water supply of greater Sydney, preparing it for drought, a changing climate and a growing population.
- Water Compliance Policy (PDF 228KB) published December 2008 – informs how the Department manages compliance with water legislation
- NSW Water Extraction Monitoring Policy
- Draft Floodplain Harvesting Policy
Note the following were prepared by predecessor agencies but are still relevant:
- NSW Water reforms: A secure and sustainable future (PDF 1.4MB)
- State Water Management Outcomes Plan – part 1 (PDF 98KB) and part 2 (PDF 335KB) – this ceased to be in force in December 2007, but may of the principles and targets remain relevant
- NSW State Rivers and Estuaries Policy (PDF 5.5MB) published August 1993 – A number of institutional arrangements as well as the legislation has changed since the publication of this policy, however the overarching objectives and principles of the policy remain the same today
- NSW Wetlands Management Policy (PDF 346KB)
- NSW Sand and Gravel Extraction Policy for Non-Tidal Rivers (PDF 3MB) – published 1992 - A number of institutional and legislation changes have occurred since the publication of this policy, however the overarching objectives and principles of the policy remain the same today
- NSW State Groundwater Policy Framework Document (PDF 1.8MB)
- NSW State Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Policy (PDF 1MB)
- NSW Groundwater Quality Protection Policy (PDF 1.2MB)
- Aquifer Risk Assessment Report (PDF 401KB)
- Stressed Rivers Assessment Report (PDF 483KB)
- NSW Weirs Policy (PDF 283KB)
- NSW Salinity Strategy
- NSW Water Conservation Strategy (PDF 363KB)