Have your say on coastal floodplain drainage
Media Release
19 February 2024
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Residents, businesses, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders are being encouraged to have their say on the NSW Government's recently released options report which aims to simplify the regulatory framework of coastal floodplain drainage works and improve water quality in these areas.
The report lays out proposals to address the complexity, time and costs involved with the approvals processes and reduce the impact of agricultural drainage works on downstream water quality, aquatic ecosystems, communities and industries.
Public feedback is being sought from the Tweed, Richmond, Clarence, Macleay, Hastings, Manning and Shoalhaven catchments and from any other NSW coastal floodplains where artificial drains, floodgates and other drainage works exist.
The coastal floodplain drainage project is funded by the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy and the options report has been developed in collaboration between multiple NSW agencies which have a role in coastal floodplain drainage.
The report is available to be viewed and input can be provided at:
https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plans-and-programs/coastal-floodplain-drainage-project
Members of the public have until 22 April 2024 to have their say.
Quotes attributable to Kaia Hodge, Executive Director - Water Strategies and Policy, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water:
"We know some coastal floodplain farmers are concerned about approval processes for drainage works with many describing it as confusing and time consuming.
"That's why the NSW Government has released the coastal floodplain drainage options report to explore improvements to the framework.
"The options report also proposes ways to better manage acidic water and low oxygen blackwater that can occur throughout drainage networks, rivers and estuaries and can have significant impacts on the health of our marine estate.
"I want to be clear that no decisions have been made yet. We are giving the community, councils, industries, First Nations groups and other Aboriginal stakeholders, and environmental advocates plenty of time to provide input and ensure we find the best pathway forward."
mailto: media@environment.nsw.gov.au
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