Major projects are state significant developments and state significant infrastructure (SSD and SSI) under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
- water access licences and Water Act 1912 licences required for major projects
- water policies which apply to major projects, such as the aquifer interference policy (PDF, 505.49 KB)
- providing advice to the Department of Planning and Environment–Planning & Assessment on the assessment and management of major projects.
Pre-approval
Department of Planning and Environment–Water provides advice to Department of Planning and Environment–Planning & Assessment and to proponents to ensure that the proposed development is sustainable. The department's Water assessment team coordinates this advice and can be contacted at water.assessments@dpie.nsw.gov.au. Please note more detailed information in Assessing major developments - Water in New South Wales (nsw.gov.au).
Post approvals
The NSW Government remains closely involved with the development of projects after approval is granted. The post-approval process is important in ensuring that water resources are effectively managed and monitored.
Projects must comply with approval conditions and water licence requirements, and have adequate monitoring in place for the government to track and monitor compliance. SSD and SSI projects may need to consult with the department on post approval management plans required as a condition of consent. Submissions are lodged via the Major Projects Portal and further information on consultation is available in the Consultation with the department on major projects guideline (PDF 760KB).
Submit your post approval management plan via the Major Projects portal to Department of Planning and Environment–Water if your DA requires you to consult on any of the following:
- Groundwater Models
- Groundwater Monitoring and Modelling Plans
- Surface Water and Groundwater Monitoring Reports
- Water Management Plans
- Extraction Management Plans
- Subsidence Management Plans
- Water licensing under the Water Management Act 2000
- Works typically requiring a Controlled Activity Approval under the Water Management Act 2000 (eg water course realignment, riparian rehabilitation)
- Specific Requests from Department of Planning and Environment
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
Compliance
Compliance with licence and approval requirements is critical to sharing of our precious water.
Groundwater guideline documents for proponents
To ensure groundwater resources are protected and remain a secure and sustainable water source for communities, submissions for SSD and SSI projects related to groundwater need to meet specific requirements and provide sufficient evidence demonstrating the proposed activity is compliant with the Water Management Act 2000 and other NSW groundwater policy.
The Groundwater Toolkit includes guidelines and documents to guide the preparation of submissions. The overarching guideline and three technical documents address groundwater impacts and risks, water licencing requirements and how to provide relevant data, demonstrating the proposed activity is compliant.
The toolkit complements existing industry requirements and was created in consultation with industry experts to ensure it addresses all requirements needed for a mining, quarrying, dredging or infrastructure project submission.
- Groundwater assessment toolbox for major projects in NSW (PDF, 1874.45 KB)
- Guidelines for Groundwater Documentation for SSD/SSI Projects (PDF, 7878.68 KB)
- Minimum Groundwater Modelling Requirements for SSD/SSI Projects (PDF, 1076.54 KB)
- Cumulative Groundwater Impact Assessment Approaches (PDF, 2849.75 KB)
If you would like to provide feedback on the guidelines please email water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
Contact us
The department's Water assessment team coordinates Major Projects water advice and can be contacted via email water.assessments@dpie.nsw.gov.au.