Western Regional Water Strategy engagement

Over the last few years, the NSW Government has been consulting with stakeholders and communities on a range of water-related issues in the Western Region. These issues include water resource plans, metering reforms, environmental water management, the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism program, the Better Baaka program, floodplain harvesting, connectivity, and drought.

The draft Western Regional Water Strategy was developed through targeted consultation throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022 and through a formal public exhibition period from 1 June until 13 July 2022.

The draft strategy included a set of 6 documents:

A comprehensive engagement and consultation program accompanied the release of the draft strategy. This included:

• face-to-face meetings
• webinars
• formal submissions
• meetings with a Connectivity Stakeholder Reference Group.

Over 113 people attended and participated in discussions. We received:

• over 200 written and verbal comments during the meetings and through submissions,
• over 800 ideas, opportunities and challenges and suggestions,
• 29 formal submissions.

This feedback and additional analysis was used to finalise the Western Regional Water Strategy and develop the implementation plan.

A summary of what we heard is available in the document below:

• What we heard through public exhibition and engagement (PDF. 11.7MB)

Submissions

Permission was received to publish several of the submissions. These are available via the Water Publications Library.