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Metropolitan Water Plan

The 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan (MWP) sets out how the NSW Government will provide a secure supply of water that can meet the long term needs of Sydney.

This means ensuring that we have:

sufficient water available over time to meet the needs of a growing city and to protect river health
the ability to withstand current and future droughts, and impacts from climate change

The 2006 Plan builds on the progress made to date, but reflects the significant developments that have occurred since the 2004 Plan was released. There is also a commitment to prepare a progress report every year to monitor implementation of the plan.

Based on the findings of independent experts, the Metropolitan Water Plan strengthens the Government's focus on adaptive management as the best way to secure water supplies.

An important element of the plan is the diversification of demand and supply options to minimise risks and cost - meaning that we "don't have all of our eggs in one basket".

On the reducing demand side, a broad range of water saving initiatives are now in place to deliver large water savings at low costs, across all sectors, including government, business, farms and households; as well as for building water efficient homes and reducing leaks.

On the increasing supply side, measures to increase recycling are now in place or under development; deep water in the dams is now available to be accessed; and options for transferring more water from the Shoalhaven are being examined.

The new approach to managing drought will provide a secure defence against severe and extreme drought through the non-rainfall dependent options of groundwater and desalination.

Protecting catchment and river health will help to maintain dependent ecosystems and support the communities and economies depending on them.

The 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan has further information.