NSW has made significant progress towards its obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, having now lodged its final water resource plans to the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said this was an important milestone and highlights the NSW Nationals commitment to supporting Murray Darling Basin communities.
"The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has continued to work tirelessly to get these final plans over the line and re-submitted to the Commonwealth, in a way that balances the needs of communities, water users and the environment," Mr Anderson said.
"NSW has now finalised the last 6 plans with the MDBA so accreditation can commence."
Mr Anderson said water resource plans are key to implementing the Basin Plan, so water is taken from the river system sustainably and according to legal limits, giving certainty to water users and the environment.
"NSW is responsible for 20 out of the 33 water resource plans, which is more than double the number of other Basin jurisdictions," Mr Anderson said.
"3 surface water plans - Border Rivers, Gwydir and the Macquarie - are even more significant because they reflect the historic NSW Floodplain Harvesting reforms that protect the environment and downstream communities by keeping this activity within legal limits.
"We recognise that we may be required to amend the water resource plans for surface water in the Barwon Darling and the Namoi to include floodplain harvesting when the time is right. This is a normal part of the process.
"My job as Minister is to deliver healthy rivers, healthy farms and healthy communities and that is what the NSW Nationals are doing."
