Planning and reporting on water for the environment

Annual plans

We prepare annual watering plans each water year (July to June) for the 11 valleys in which we actively manage water for the environment. These plans are based on advice received from environmental water advisory groups.

The plans outline the priorities for use of water for the environment in the coming year, depending on climatic factors and water availability.

Statements of annual watering priorities for each valley are then developed and made publicly available.

Long-term water plans

Long-term water plans provide long-term (up to 20 years) directions for annual and event-based water management for environmental outcomes in each catchment.

Long-term water plans have been developed for all 9 NSW Murray–Darling Basin catchments consistent with the Basin Plan.

Reporting on water for environment

There is extensive reporting on the use of water for the environment, including reporting on:

• Basin Plan implementation
• annual watering in each valley
• individual watering events
• water trading.

Our Water for environment outcomes 2023–24 report gives an overview of the program’s achievements for the 2023–2024 water year.