Partnering with Aboriginal peoples
Water for Country is environmental water use planned by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Aboriginal people to achieve shared benefits for the environment and cultural places, values and/or interests. The Hunter catchment covers the countries of the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua and Geawegal people.
We are working to support and partner with Aboriginal people in environmental water planning and the use of the environmental water allowance in the Hunter catchment. In 2025–26 we will:
- continue to build relationships with Aboriginal communities
- facilitate planning of environmental water releases that shares benefits with Aboriginal people
- engage with Aboriginal communities and look for opportunities for cultural watering.
Key planned actions
Native fish
Flows will be delivered to support native fish breeding and dispersal in the Hunter catchment. Releases in winter encourage downstream migration into the Hunter estuary for spawning, and water releases in spring and summer will support the upstream migration of female adults and juvenile fish.
Native animals
Planned releases will support habitats for water-dependent animals, including macroinvertebrates, frogs, platypus and turtles. This will increase resource availability and productivity, providing opportunities for breeding and recruitment. Inundation of connected ponds may provide breeding opportunities for frogs.
Connectivity
Longitudinal connectivity along the Hunter River will be supported when opportunities arise. This will encourage the dispersal of native fish into the system.
Proposed annual priority targets in the Hunter water resource plan area
For more information go to our Annual environmental watering priorities 2025–26 webpage, which includes each catchment’s resource availability scenario and expected volumes of environmental water available.
