The Environmental Water Advisory Group is convened by the Conservation Programs, Heritage and Regulation group of the department.
The Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group provides advice to the department on the use of water for the environment in the Lachlan Valley for its water-dependant ecosystems. An Environmental Water Advisory Group may include water managers, recreational fishers, landholders, Indigenous groups, independent scientists, and a variety of partner agencies.
Suitable applicants will contribute their local knowledge and relevant experience to guide the beneficial use of water for the environment. Environmental Water Advisory Group members will actively participate providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point in the local community or representing a stakeholder group, to assist environmental water managers with annual watering priorities, adaptive management and implementation of the NSW Water for the Environment program.
Specific skills and knowledge sought includes:
- Indigenous knowledge
- floodplain and wetland management
- water management
- local knowledge of the Lachlan floodplain and wetlands including ecology
- environmental science
- related community interests (recreational fishers, water users, etc.)
Appointments are for up to 5 years. The Environmental Water Advisory Group may meet up to four times a year, either online or in person (in varying regional locations). Additional field trips may be conducted on occasion.
Environmental Water Advisory Group memberships are not paid appointments. In line with NSW Government guidelines, members are compensated for their time (daily sitting fee of $220) and all group-related expenses including travel, accommodation and meals.
Position description
The Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group is a committee formed under Section 388 of the Water Management Act 2000 and referenced in the Lachlan Water Sharing Plan. The Environmental Water Advisory Group's focus is the regulated river and wetlands within the Lachlan valley. The Environmental Water Advisory Group's purpose is to provide advice to the Minister for the Environment, or their delegate, on the management of environmental water to maximise ecological benefits.
Purpose of the role
A member's purpose is to contribute their knowledge and experience relating to the group's overall objective of providing water for the environment. Members should participate actively by providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point in the local community or stakeholder group, to assist environmental water managers make adaptive decisions. Membership is based on representation in an ex officio capacity, or as a community volunteer. This applies to all ordinary members of the group.
Key responsibilities
- Commitment to achieving the group's objectives.
- Gather relevant information to inform inputs on behalf of a group or interest.
- Attend meetings to contribute to the consideration, discussion and deliberation of meeting topics.
- Contribute to the formulation of objectives, priorities, risks and strategies for environmental watering.
- Relay environmental watering information to interested people or organisations.
- Contribute to the smooth operation of the committee by adhering to agreed procedures.
- Review documentation between meetings, when necessary.
- Communicate with the chair and/or executive officer between meetings, when necessary.
- Ability and willingness to attend meetings 2 to 4 times per year, which may include regional travel (community member costs will be met). This should not preclude community members with responsibility as care givers.
Key challenges
- Considering and respecting the views of others to maintain an inclusive and collaborative approach.
- Collating and considering information on a highly technical and complex topic.
- Articulating group decisions to a broader community.
- Developing and maintaining an awareness of social, institutional, political and ecological issues relevant to local wetlands, water quality and river flows.
Key relationships
Chairperson
- Chairs group meetings
- Responsible for ensuring member participation and performance
Executive officer
- Manages administrative business and logistics
- First point of communication
- Manages collection and dissemination of information
Members and alternatives
- Participate on equal terms to consolidate, deliberate and develop advice
- Strive to reach consensus in advice
Observers
- Participates in meetings as a guest, but does not participate in decision-making
Entity or community the position represents
- Gather and consolidate views on matters related to the work of the group for referral at meetings, or beforehand directly to the executive
- Act as a conduit for information from the group, when necessary
Capabilities for the role
An Environmental Water Advisory Group member should be able to, or aspire to develop skills and knowledge to:
- communicate effectively, including the ability to listen attentively to others, absorb alternative points of view and articulate a message
- analyse information and arguments, think critically and objectively about a complex problem
- exhibit goodwill and support an inclusive and collaborative approach
- employ appropriate interpersonal skills to ensure meetings and discussions are polite and constructive
- understand and manage conflicts of interest
- liaise broadly with their own constituency and represent them effectively
- work towards an objective as part of a team
- actively assist the chairperson and executive officer with the challenging job of achieving complex decision-making by consensus
- understand the role of water for local and regional communities and their environments
- understand the NSW water management system, including water sharing plan, policies and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
- understand the roles of agencies and community groups in the group – where they fit, who they represent, and their perspectives.
Application form for member position
Information submitted on this form, including any personal details will be a matter of public record and will be stored in the NSW Government records system by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. You can find out more about how the department handles the personal information it collects online by reading the department's privacy management plan. By submitting this form, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information in accordance with this plan.
Submitting your application
Submit this form automatically by 11.59 pm Sunday 22 June 2025.
The department is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity, work, health and safety, cultural diversity and ethical work practices and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. If you require access to information via a different process, are speech or hearing impaired or require reasonable adjustment in the application process please email: [email protected]