About us
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water was established effective 1 July 2009 The Department is one of the agencies that form the new Environment, Climate Change and Water super agency cluster, along with Sydney Catchment Authority, Zoological Parks Board, Royal Botanic Gardens, Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust & Lord Howe Island Board and the Catchment Management Authorities which are separate statutory authorities.
The Government has changed the name of the Department of Environment and Climate Change and combined its responsibilities with the water management responsibilities of the former Department of Water and Energy. Under this Departmental arrangement, we report to two Ministers: the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and the Minister for Water.
Broadly, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water:
- works towards a healthy environment cared for and enjoyed by the whole NSW community
- manages the state's natural resources, including biodiversity, soils and natural vegetation
- provides the cornerstone of conservation, along with linked community efforts, through the management of national parks and reserves, and marine parks and aquatic reserves to protect nature and cultural heritage
- manages natural and cultural heritage across the state's land and waters
- acts to minimise the impacts of climate change
- promotes sustainable consumption, resource use and waste management
- regulates activities to protect the environment
- conducts biodiversity, plant, environmental and cultural heritage science and research to improve decision making
- delivers the Government’s policy, programs, regulation and and reform agenda for the water sector in NSW
- conserves, propagates and studies plants in botanic gardens and their associated collections
DECCW's wide-ranging responsibilities include:
- climate change and greenhouse issues, including the climate change fund
- sustainability programs, including environmental education, energy efficiency and water conservation programs and renewable energy policy
- policy and regulation for air and water quality, noise control, chemicals, radiation and forestry
- programs to reduce the amount and toxicity of waste, litter and illegal dumping
- management of national parks and reserves, and marine parks
- biodiversity, threatened species and native vegetation policy and programs
- protection of soils and land and policies for catchment management
- environmental water management and coastal lakes and estuaries
- reliable water supply for critical human and industry needs and the secure and sustainable allocation of water between communities, industry, farmers and the environment
- Aboriginal cultural heritage and historic sites
- botanic gardens - Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain, Mount Annan and Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens
DECCW operates under a number of well-recognised 'brands' and legislative authorities. The National Parks and Wildlife Service logo remains associated with our national parks. In regulatory matters for environment protection, DECCW acts under the powers of the statutory Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Staff of the Botanic Gardens Trust (BGT) are part of DECCW, although BGT and its Board of Trustees are responsible separately to the Minister for Climate Change and Environment. DECCW also administers programs on behalf of the statutory Environmental Trust and supports the Marine Parks Authority and Catchment Management Authorities. The Office of Water is responsible for the water management functions (including legal, policy and regulation) undertaken by the former Department of Water and Energy reporting to the Minister for Water.