Overview
This report details the NSW Government’s progress in implementing the Water Strategy Program from July 2022 to June 2023. It outlines key achievements and challenges from 13 water strategies now in implementation including state-wide and place-based water strategies. The strategies being reported upon include the:
The water strategies program is setting us up for the future. Implementation to date has focused on projects that build capacity across the water sector so we can better respond to emerging issues.
Reporting on progress and sharing information is an important part of implementing each of the strategies. It enables monitoring of progress toward desired outcomes and provides insights to drive adaptive management.
Read more about the integrated water strategies program
Progress reporting for 2022-23 is both theme and region based.
Key themes
The key themes below showcase our overall water strategy actions and describe what we have delivered.

Building community confidence and capacity through engagement, transparency, and accountability.

Recognition of First Nations/Aboriginal people’s rights and values and increasing access to and ownership of water for cultural and economic purposes.

An enhanced, state-wide focus on sustainable groundwater management.

Improving river flows across connected water catchments

Reducing urban water security risks and supporting resilient cities and towns.

Water efficiency and leakage reduction – doing more with less.

Preparing for drought and managing risk.

Taking a holistic approach to land and water management.

Sustainable coastal waterways in a changing climate.
Region snapshots

Region-based water strategies address the specific challenges of a region with local solutions. Nine regional water strategies and 2 metropolitan strategies have been finalised and are being implemented.
Region-based strategies ensure each region is prepared for a changing climate.
Find out details on the progress of strategy implementation for each region