The health, wealth and well-being of current and future generations is dependent on sustainably managing natural resources over the long term. The Natural Resources Commission (the Commission) provides independent evidence-based advice to the New South Wales Government to achieve these outcomes. Read more

Natural resource management is about people managing landscapes to sustain the needs and values of communities, within the biophysical limits of our natural systems. This becomes a balance between maintaining, restoring and protecting landscapes and how we use them to support people’s aspirations. We need rich and diverse land and water resources to sustainably support industries like agriculture, tourism, fisheries and forestry.

Natural landscapes and communities function together as an interdependent system and as such should be managed in an integrated and coordinated way across tenures.

About 85 percent of land in NSW is privately managed. The health of our diverse landscapes relies on both public and private stewardship of environmental assets, such as soil, native vegetation, rivers and wetlands to improve biodiversity, production, and community outcomes.

Natural resource management also recognises that environmental and social conditions are constantly changing. Therefore, we need access to the best available knowledge and to help communities adapt to change in ways that support their long-term well-being.

Access to information

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) requires agencies to provide access to government information and encourages proactive release of such information. The Commission releases as much government information as possible on this website. Read more

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The Natural Resources Commission acknowledges and pays respects to First Peoples past, present and emerging and their traditional lands. The Commission recognises that Traditional Owners have a deep cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic connection to their lands and waters with ongoing knowledge of natural resource management.