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Our work

Plans and strategies

The department prepares and consults on a range of plans and strategies to plan and manage the water needs of NSW.

Barrington Falls, Barrington Tops National Park - Image credit: John Spencer

The department prepares and consults on a range of plans and strategies to plan and manage the water needs of NSW.

Aboriginal water programs

The Aboriginal Water Strategy developed with Aboriginal communities will ensure access to water resources for Aboriginal people.

Centennial Park

Floodplain management plans provide the framework for coordinating the development of flood works on a whole-of-valley basis.

Elevated aerial view over Sydney Harbour from across Mosman and lower north shore suburbs towards city CBD landmarks and waterfront.

The Greater Sydney Water Strategy charts a direction for delivering sustainable and resilient water services to Greater Sydney for the next 20 to 40 years.

Long grass by the water.

We have developed a long-term strategy to better protect and share the state’s vital groundwater resources.

Aerial view of Dubbo NSW

A 20-year state-wide strategy to improve the security of our water resources.

Bridge over the Never Never River in Bellingen. Image courtesy of Mel Bradbury.

Our two metropolitan water plans provide Sydney and the Lower Hunter with more sustainable and resilient water supplies.

Thirteen regional water strategies to plan and manage the water needs in each NSW region over the next 20-40 years.

Murray Darling Junction, Wentworth.

Water resource plans must be prepared and submitted for assessment to meet our commitment to the Commonwealth's Basin Plan.

The redgum trees on the banks of the River Murray in Tooleybuc, New South Wales.

Water sharing plans are a statutory obligation under the Water Management Act 2000.