Water resource plans
NSW submitted the 20 water resource plans in April and June 2020. The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) undertook their assessment between May 2020 and August 2021. The plans were withdrawn to address the issues raised by the MDBA.
NSW is on track to resubmit six plans by the end of June 2022. Of the six, two have already been resubmitted. The Border Rivers Alluvium plan was resubmitted in February 2022 and the Lachlan surface water plan was resubmitted in March 2022. NSW has been working with the MDBA and will submit a timetable by 30 June outlining the timing for submission of the remaining plans.
Water resource plans are a key feature of the Commonwealth Basin Plan 2012. In NSW, we have developed 20 water resource plans. This follows three years of public consultation and discussion with stakeholders and the community.
Each water resource plan area has different resources, environmental assets, development and geography. These things affect the management of water resources in each area.
Relying heavily on our NSW water sharing plans, the plans provide a clear framework and rule-set for managing NSW Basin water resources. This will benefit regional communities and water dependent industries. It will ensure we maintain healthy and resilient water ecosystems. These plans will help us to achieve the right balance of community, environmental, economic and cultural outcomes.
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Finalising Water Resource Plans—What happens now
Find out the next steps for the 20 submitted draft water resource plans.
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Water Resource Plans - status
Search the list of water resource plans in NSW and see their current status. View the plans and all related information.
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Planning process
Read about the process we used to develop the water resource plans.
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LTDLE (CAP) factors
Read about how LTDLE factors keep track of how much water has been recovered for the environment as required by the Basin Plan 2012.