Healthy floodplains project

1. 

   About the Healthy Floodplains Project

   This project aims to reform the management of water on floodplains through the development of floodplain management plans and the regulation and monitoring of floodplain harvesting water extractions.

2. 

   Stakeholder engagement

   Stakeholder engagement is a critical component in developing and implementing the Healthy Floodplains Project. We regularly meet with our stakeholders on key projects, and provide opportunities for stakeholders and the broader public to provide input into our policies and plans.

3. 

   NSW Floodplain Harvesting Policy

   In 2013, the NSW Government introduced the Floodplain Harvesting Policy to stop unconstrained floodplain harvesting by bringing it into a licensing framework.

4. 

   Floodplain management plan program

   This program provides a strategic planning framework to achieve a coordinated, balanced approach to floodplain management, taking into account hydraulic, environmental and economic considerations, and legislative requirements. It will be applied to areas in the northern basin including the Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi, Barwon–Darling and Macquarie valleys.

5. 

   Floodplain harvesting program

   This program provides a framework for regulating and managing water extraction from floodplains that balances the needs of water users and the environment.

6. 

   Improvement program for floodplain harvesting measurement

   In response to public feedback on the draft floodplain harvesting and monitoring strategy, NSW is working towards developing a transparent and high quality floodplain harvesting measurement and compliance framework in accordance with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Compliance Review and the Murray-Darling Basin Compliance Compact.