Why is the NSW Government providing guidelines on environmental quality objectives?
The NSW Government has brought in wide-ranging reforms to ensure the long-term health of all our waterways. We need action now for a healthy future for both our environment and our economy. Environmental problems are widespread in our river systems and, in many cases, also affect regional economic development. These problems include algal blooms, rising salinity, carp, and declining numbers of native fish. NSW also needs to meet its inter-governmental obligations to improve river health, such as in the Murray-Darling basin. The community and Government have taken important steps towards attaining healthier rivers. Much has been achieved. Clearly defined, consistent objectives will allow us to direct current actions better and plan for new ones. The Government has already implemented many of its water reforms, including introducing a better balance in sharing water between users and the environment, statewide groundwater and weir policies, regular monitoring programs, and assessing the
