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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

 Kayaking at the Macquarie Marshes, NSW. (CEWO)
Kayaking at the Macquarie Marshes, NSW. Photo: CEWH.

 

Water used to keep our rivers healthy is known as ‘water for the environment’

Rivers and wetlands in the Murray Darling Basin have been changed to provide water for towns, industry and food production.

With runoff from rainfall now captured in dams or extracted for human use, the seasonal flow of water that plants and animals need to survive has been interrupted.

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder delivers water for the environment when and where plants and animals need it most. It is used to help rivers flow, keep native plants healthy, and support feeding and breeding of native animals, birds, fish and frogs.

This is critical to keeping rivers healthy, so they can continue to sustain healthy communities.

The CEWH’s Approach to partnering with First Nations people

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The CEWH is committed to partnering and working meaningfully with First Nations people in the planning, delivery, and monitoring of water for the environment.

The CEWH’s Approach to partnering with First Nations focuses on providing opportunities to empower and support First Nations people to care for Country, building partnerships with First Nations people in ways that they determine, and building the confidence of CEWH staff to engage with First Nations people and cultures.

Working with First Nations

Healthy Rivers, Healthy Communities

Front cover of plan

An introduction to water for the environment and how it is carefully managed to ensure it delivers the best environmental outcomes, while benefiting river communities.

  • Healthy Rivers, Healthy Communities. A pocket guide to water for the environment
  • Healthy Rivers, Healthy Communities. A pocket guide to water for the environment: northern Basin

Water Management Plan 2022-23

Water Management Plan 2022-23

Find out more about our annual planning process and what we aim to achieve with water for the environment in our 2022-23 Water Management Plan.

  • Water Management Plan 2022-23
  • Water Management Plan 2022-23: A summary

Water for the environment is making a difference

Picture of river
Good news stories about how water for the environment is being delivered to help native plants and animals, and keep our rivers, floodplains and wetlands healthy.
  • Water for the environment is making a difference

News and media

Great Cumbung Swamp - Mal Carnegie

Plan to protect the Great Cumbung Swamp

  • Media release
  • CEWO
02 March 2023
South Arm Straw Necked Ibis colony

Collective effort helps bird breeding at Narran Lakes

  • Media release
  • CEWO
08 February 2023
The Gwydir Wetlands in northern NSW. Image: Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

Water for the environment crucial for rivers and wetlands as floodwaters recede

  • Media release
  • CEWO
02 February 2023
All news and media

10 things to know about water for the environment

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  • Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Update

Environmental water

Latest environmental water storage, use, allocation and carryover data.

Tweets by @theCEWH

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Last updated: 15 March 2023

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.