What we heard
From July to September 2024, we invited stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft NSW Aboriginal Water Strategy and Action Plan.
Almost 400 stakeholders shared their valuable knowledge, insights and experiences.
What we heard Report
Read the What we heard Report to learn more about the ideas and views we received. Stakeholders included Aboriginal peoples, communities, organisations and those with a deep interest in access to water for cultural and economic purposes for Aboriginal people
Timeline and next steps
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January - June 2024
Listening
The draft Strategy objectives and actions were reviewed by peak Aboriginal organisations and the Regional Aboriginal Water Committees.
This was to check it reflected the voices we heard from past engagements.
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July - September 2024
Have we got it right?
The draft Strategy was on public exhibition.
There were face-to-face workshops, online workshops and written and online submissions. Read more about the 2024 public exhibition below.
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October - December 2024
Sharing your feedback
We reviewed your feedback and shared a summary of what we heard (PDF, 1325.06 KB).
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January - October 2025
Reviewing your feedback
We are considering the feedback received. This will support us to finalise the Strategy. It will then go through approvals.
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October 2025
Release the strategy
The first NSW Aboriginal Water Strategy is released.
2024 public exhibition
The draft Strategy was on public exhibition from Monday 15 July until Sunday 25 August 2024.
Engagements took place with Aboriginal peoples, communities, organisations and those with a deep interest in access to water for cultural and economic purposes for Aboriginal people.
Consultation Paper
The consultation paper used during public exhibition includes the draft strategy and action plan.
Community workshops
We visited multiple locations for face-to-face workshops with Aboriginal people, communities and anyone with a deep interest in access to water for cultural and economic purposes, to discuss the draft strategy and action plan in more detail.
To view the locations we visited:
- click on the icon in the top left corner of the map
- click on the arrow 'all items' to scroll up and down the list of locations.
Journey towards the Aboriginal Water Strategy
Read background about the commitment to develop the first Aboriginal Water Strategy and Action Plan for NSW.
Subscribe for updates
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Contact us
Please email the department at water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions or would like further information.
Artist acknowledgement: Nathan Peckham
As a proud Tubba-gah man from Dubbo in the Wiradjuri Nation, I respectfully acknowledge all nations which the NSW DPE operates on. I acknowledge this artwork will be viewed off my home country of the Tubba-gah people and therefore ask you accept this artwork as an offering on behalf of my family as a gesture of continuing the legacy of the knowledge of our ancestors.
I would also like to pay respect to all traditional custodians of the country whose ancestral lands we all walk upon. I thank the Elders for their wisdom, courage, and sacrifice and pledge my commitment to preserving their legacy for future generations.
- Nathan Peckham