Water sharing plan reviews

We have a statutory role under Section 43A of the Water Management Act 2000 to independently review water sharing plans approaching expiry and report our findings to the Minister for Water.

Our reviews help to identify opportunities to improve water sharing plan provisions and support better outcomes for the environment and people. The Minister considers our report before deciding to extend or make a new water sharing plan.


Review of the NSW Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Water Sharing Plan

The Natural Resources Commission is conducting its statutory review of the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Rivers Water Sources 2016 before it expires on 30 June 2026.

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer's independent review into the 2023 fish deaths in the Darling-Baaka River at Menindee recommended prioritising the review of the Water Sharing Plan for the Murray and Lower Darling Regulated River Water Sources 2016 with a focus on the adequacy of Plan provisions for meeting environmental and water quality objectives (Recommendation 1.3).

The review is being undertaken consistent with our statutory responsibilities under Section 43A of the NSW Water Management Act 2000, and will also take into consideration findings from the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s report.

This is your chance to comment on whether the plan has achieved its environmental, social, economic and cultural outcomes. You are also invited to suggest any areas for improvement.

Note: The plan has recently been amended. We will review the plan in effect at the time of the review. However, we will consider any amendments that have been made during the 10-year life of the plan and potential impacts on outcomes.

You can read the water sharing plan on the NSW Water Sharing Plan Legislation webpage.

Have your say

Have your say by 5:00pm on Sunday 25 February 2024.

Your submission should address at least one of the following six key questions in relation to environmental, social and economic outcomes, and opportunities for improvement:

  1. To what extent do you think the plan has contributed to environmental outcomes?
  2. To what extent do you think the plan has contributed to social outcomes?
  3. To what extent do you think the plan has contributed to economic outcomes?
  4. To what extent do you think the plan has contributed to cultural outcomes?
  5. To what extent do you think the plan has contributed to meeting its objectives?
  6. What changes do you think are needed to the water sharing plan to improve outcomes?

You can provide your submission by:

If you have any questions regarding the review or require support lodging your submission, call: 02 9228 4844 or email nrc@nrc.nsw.gov.au.

Note: All submissions will be made public on the Natural Resources Commission’s website unless clearly marked ‘confidential’. See our submissions policy for more details.