2019-2020 Water sharing plan reviews



The purpose of water sharing plans is to prescribe how water is managed, firstly to provide for the environment and also to support social and economic outcomes.

These plans typically apply for a period of ten years. At the end of this period, the Minister responsible for the Water Management Act 2000 may decide to replace or extend a plan. In making this decision, the Minister must consider a report from the Commission in accordance with s.43A of the Act.

Review reports

The Commission has provided its final review reports for the following water sharing plans to the Minister:

  • Central Coast Unregulated
  • Coffs Harbour Area Unregulated and Alluvial
  • Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial
  • Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial
  • Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock

Later, these reports will be made available on this website.

Have your say

Coastal water sharing plans

The Commission invites submissions from the public to inform its reviews of the water sharing plans for the:

  • Bega and Brogo Rivers Area Regulated, Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2011
  • Murrah-Wallaga Area Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2010
  • Richmond River Area Unregulated, Regulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2010
  • Towamba River Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2010
  • Tweed River Area Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2010

The reviews will focus on the extent to which the water sharing provisions in the plans have materially contributed to the achievement of, or the failure to achieve, environmental, social and economic outcomes. They will also identify whether changes to these provisions are warranted.

Evaluation questions include:

  • To what extent do you feel the plan has contributed to social outcomes?
  • To what extent do you feel the plan has contributed to environmental outcomes?
  • To what extent do you feel the plan has contributed to economic outcomes?
  • To what extent do you feel the plan has contributed to meeting its objectives?
  • What changes do you feel are needed to the water sharing plan to improve outcomes?

This is your opportunity to comment on the plans which govern water sharing arrangements in these regions. The Commission is specifically interested in your comments regarding the associated environmental, social and economic outcomes and any opportunities for improvement you have identified.

Submissions close at 5pm on Sunday 5 July 2020.

Ideally, your submission addresses the five key questions above in relation to social, environmental and economic outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.

A submission must clearly indicate the water sharing plan it relates to (for example, Bega and Brogo).

Once you have written your submission, you can:

  • send your submission to: nrc@nrc.nsw.gov.au
  • post your submission to: Natural Resources Commission, GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001
  • call 02 9228 4844 for support with lodging your submission or to ask any questions.

When making a submission please:

  • provide any relevant information that supports your views
  • note that all submissions will be made public on the Commission’s website unless clearly marked confidential or it contains material that is defamatory, offensive or in breach of any law
  • submissions may also be shared with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment unless clearly marked confidential.

Greater Metropolitan Region water sharing plans

The opportunity to provide feedback to the Commission on the plans has now closed. After considering the feedback and other evidence, the Commission will provide the review report to the Minister.

What other plans are currently being reviewed?

Currently, the Commission is conducting reviews of the following water sharing plans.

Water Sharing Plan Map Expiry
Greater Metropolitan Region Unregulated River Hawkesbury-Nepean July 2021
Greater Metropolitan Region Groundwater Hawkesbury-Nepean July 2021
Bega and Brogo Rivers Area Regulated, Unregulated and Alluvial Map 2011
Murrah-Wallaga Area Unregulated and Alluvial Map 2010
Richmond River Area Unregulated, Regulated and Alluvial Map 2010
Towamba River Unregulated and Alluvial Map 2010
Tweed River Area Unregulated and Alluvial Map 2010

More information is available on the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment