The draft Lachlan Regional Water Strategy is on the third round of public exhibition from Friday 22 September until Sunday 12 November 2023.
About the draft
Your voice is important. You can have your say on the consultation paper for the draft Lachlan Regional Water Strategy and shortlist of proposed actions by providing written feedback to the Department of Planning and Environment by 11:59pm on Sunday 12 November 2023.
Why are we developing regional water strategies?
The NSW Government is preparing regional water strategies that will bring together the best and latest climate evidence with a wide range of tools and solutions to manage the water needs of NSW over the next 20 to 40 years.
A more variable climate, as well as changing industries and populations, mean we face difficult decisions and choices about how to balance the different demands for this vital resource and manage water efficiently and sustainably into the future.
The regional water strategy process is identifying these risks and understanding how we can manage and be best prepared for these future uncertainties and challenges, and capitalise on the region’s opportunities.
Draft Consultation paper and background information
The third draft Lachlan Regional Water Strategy is a set of two documents:
1. Consultation Paper – Shortlisted actions for the Lachlan region
Download the Consultation Paper2. Executive Summary – Lachlan Regional Water Strategy
Download the Executive SummaryInformation about the 2020 draft strategies and 2022 version of the consultation paper can be found in:
Note: The September 2023 consultation draft and executive summary are updates of the versions first published in 2022. The 2022 public exhibition process did not proceed due to the impact of extensive flooding events in the region. As such, the 2022 versions should be viewed for reference only.
Public information sessions
Two webinars will be held in October. This will provide an overview of the regional water strategies program, region-specific opportunities, challenges and shortlisted actions. The webinars will include a question and answer session.
We are also coming to your region to discuss the draft Lachlan Regional Water Strategy. If you would like to attend a face-to-face information session to discuss the draft strategy in more detail see information below.
Webinars
| Location | Details | Event registration |
|---|---|---|
| Online webinar | Tuesday, 10 October 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm | Register for the 10 October webinar |
| Online webinar | Friday, 13 October 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Register for the 13 October webinar |
Face to face sessions
| Location | Details | Event registration |
|---|---|---|
| Hillston | Monday, 16 October 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Club House Hotel, Ground Floor 147 High Street, Hillston, NSW | Register for Hillston |
| Lake Cargelligo | Tuesday, 17 October 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Lake Cargelligo Bowling Club 1 Prior Street, Lake Cargelligo, NSW | Register for Lake Cargelligo |
| Forbes | Wednesday, 18 October 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Forbes Services Club, Auditorium 41 – 43 Templar Street, Forbes, NSW | Register for Forbes |
| Cowra | Thursday, 19 October 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Cowra Bowling and Recreation Club 22/16 Brougham Street, Cowra, NSW | Register for Cowra |
Contact us
Please email the Regional Water Strategies team at regionalwater.strategies@dpie.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions or would like further information about our information sessions.
Information about the Wyangala Dam Wall Raising Financial Business Case decision is also available.
Have your say
We would like to know your thoughts on the draft strategy.
If you would like to make an official online submission, please click on the 'Have your say' button below.
Alternatively, you can download the submission form PDF, 289.3 KB and return it to us by email to regionalwater.strategies@dpie.nsw.gov.au
Submissions will be accepted until 11:59pm on Sunday 12 November 2023.
Next steps
Following public consultation, we will develop an implementation plan that will set out when we plan to commence each action and what we plan to achieve by when. The implementation plan will also identify key partners in effectively delivering these actions, including local councils, other government agencies, local community groups and local Aboriginal communities.
Not all actions will be commenced at once, and funding will be a key consideration in planning when and how the actions will be implemented. The regional water strategies will be a key tool in securing funding as future opportunities arise.
