Finalised in July 2023, the Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy outlines a long-term plan to secure reliable and resilient water sources for regional NSW communities through the use of the latest climate science and practical solutions. With 25 priority actions underway to strengthen the region’s resilience to a changing climate.
The strategy identifies four key priorities:
- take a holistic approach to land and water management
- improve our understanding of the region’s water resources
- ensure water resource development and use is sustainable and equitable
- prepare for future climatic extremes.
The Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy is achieving major progress in improving water outcomes across the region. The strategy identifies 44 initiatives to address immediate challenges and improve the reliability of water for towns, industry, Aboriginal people and the environment. To date, 30% of initiatives have been completed and a large proportion are underway or now adopted into the ongoing functions of water managers. These initiatives are strengthening the evidence base for investment, improving water planning, and supporting short-term drought preparedness.
Priority 1: Take a holistic approach to land and water management
- Preparing an integrated catchment management program to improve the way land and water is managed to achieve better water quality and other environmental outcomes.
- Established Regional Aboriginal Water Committees as part of the commitment to ensure Aboriginal peoples have a strong, informed and respected voice in water planning and management in NSW.
Priority 2: Improve our understanding of the region’s water resources
- Developed and released models for the Tweed and Richmond valleys to improve our understanding of how coastal estuaries may respond to saltwater intrusion from future sea level changes to support long-term water planning.
Priority 3: Ensure water resource development and use is sustainable and equitable
- Published the ‘Bringing Back the Bruns’ educational video to highlight the successful partnership between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fisheries and Byron Shire Council and focuses on improving fish passage in the Brunswick River. This collaborative project is funded by the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust’s Flagship Habitat Action Program and the Marine Estate Management Strategy’s reconnecting fish habitats.
- Over the years, their collective efforts have included construction of 5 bridges and removal of 3 causeways, enabling access to 25km of fish habitat in the lower catchment.
Priority 4: Prepare for future climatic extremes
- Investigating regional options that can improve long-term water security in the region, ensuring reliable access to water for communities through the Far North Coast Water Security Preliminary Business Case. The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($2.5 million) and NSW Government ($2.5 million). Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.