NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy

The NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy (09085dswp.pdf; 1.2MB) provides, for the first time, a framework for coordinating efforts in reducing diffuse source water pollution across NSW. The Strategy promotes partnerships, provides a guide for investment, and provides a means to share information on projects and their outcomes across the State.

Developing and implementing this Strategy is a joint initiative by the State's natural resource managers (at State, regional and local government levels), building on and supporting a range of existing diffuse source water pollution management actions.

The main aim of the Strategy is to reduce diffuse source water pollution inputs into all NSW surface and ground water and contribute towards the community agreed NSW water quality objectives and Statewide Natural Resource Management targets.  This will help with progress towards Goal 22 (Protect our natural environment) of NSW 2021 - A plan to make NSW number one.

A Priority Action Plan has been developed as part of the NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy. It identifies agreed projects that will be progressed across NSW to help improve management of priority diffuse source water pollution problems. It will be updated from time to time to incorporate new projects. Refer to the Priority Action Plan on this website for the current version.

The first NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy Annual Report (10884diffsourcewaterAnnRpt2010.pdf; 632KB) was published in November 2010. It reports on the implementation of the individual actions identified it the Priority Action Plan. Implementation of the Strategy during 2009/ 2010 saw good progress on the priority actions. Very few projects have been delayed in their implementation and completion and a range of new initiatives and projects have been identified that will continue to build on the substantial achievements to date.