Engagement – November 2023

Recovery of the 450 GL of additional environmental water is a Commonwealth responsibility. It is the strong view of NSW that water recovery towards this target must come from across the Basin and should not be focussed in the Southern Basin.

The Fish Friendly Water Extraction project has run an EOI process to identify pumps to be fitted with screens as part of the Northern Basin Toolkit Program.  This has targeted the Barwon-Darling and Gwydir valleys. There are complementary programs in other catchments.  Screening of pumps is voluntary.

The NSW Government supports the SSWP. We recognise the importance of supporting local water utilities to improve water security and water quality across NSW. The program is funded until 2028. We will continue to investigate additional funding opportunities to deliver water security measures for regional NSW.  

The Grant Management Office regularly meets with the Water Directorate to discuss the administration of the SSWP.

There are 9 WRPs now accredited, the most recent of which was the first surface water plan in Intersecting Streams. There are 8 more WRPs with the MDBA for assessment and 3 more that we are continuing work on. WRPs now accredited, most recently the first surface water plan accredited in Intersecting Streams. Eight WRPs with MDBA for assessment and 3 go.

Yes, it is a requirement under the Border Rivers Regulated Water Sharing Plan, it has been incorporated into other inland water sharing plans that have been remade since the Border rivers plan. We will be reviewing the AWD process, especially in respect to record lowest inflows in an area.

This option is not on the table at this time.

Yes, it is a requirement under the Border Rivers Regulated Water Sharing Plan. It has been incorporated into other inland water sharing plans that have been remade since the Border Rivers plan. We will be reviewing the AWD process, especially in respect to record lowest inflows in an area.

The Aboriginal Water Strategy team will begin further engagement with peak groups between now and Christmas, and also have plans for further on-country and other stakeholder consultations early next year. We are planning on having the strategy further progressed by mid 2024.

Harvestable rights dams are only able to capture rainfall runoff that flows naturally across the landscape. Water that is captured in a harvestable rights dam can be used for any purpose. Water that is diverted into a dam from stormwater harvesting is not harvestable rights water and requires relevant approvals.

Water NSW has previously published a lessons learned document. A new drought team is currently being recruited and will be in touch with all LWUs.

Work is set to begin on the new weir and fishway at the end of 2024. For More information on this project visit Wilcannia Weir.

For up to date information on the Western Weirs project please see Western Weirs Program.

DPE Water is currently progressing a project to manage all activities that intentionally put water into a groundwater system. This includes investigating a policy framework for managed aquifer recharge which is part of Action 6.8 in the State Water Strategy. Work has commenced to investigate how managed aquifer recharge has been implemented in other states and considering how this could be applied in a NSW context. Further work on the viability of managed aquifer recharge and policy considerations will continue throughout 2024. Timeframes are yet to be finalised.

Yes. The Water Engagement Roundup is held every third Wednesday of each month from 11am-12pm, with a special guest and topic each month. The first Roundup will be held on Wednesday 21 February, 2024. Details and registration link will be sent out early next year and published on the Roundup webpage.