NSW Farmers Welcome Support for Royal Commission into Water Management

NSW Farmers has welcomed a parliamentary vote supporting the establishment of a Royal Commission into water management, describing it as a critical step towards restoring confidence in the system.

The motion, introduced by Murray MP Helen Dalton, calls on the NSW Government to immediately support the inquiry and fully cooperate, including the compulsory release of water modelling, licences and compliance records.

NSW Farmers Water Taskforce Chair Richard Bootle says water remains the most valuable resource for farmers, but years of poor governance have caused widespread harm.

He says ongoing dysfunction has undermined food and fibre production, damaged river health and placed significant pressure on rural and regional communities.

Mr Bootle says farmers have repeatedly called for greater transparency and accountability, and deserve to be treated as equal partners alongside environmental interests.

The vote comes as the Murray–Darling Basin Plan review formally gets underway, with NSW Farmers confirming it will make a detailed submission.

The organisation says the Basin Plan has failed to deliver balanced outcomes and is calling for more realistic environmental targets.

It is also urging governments to prioritise non-flow projects, including increased investment in carp control, to complement smarter water management strategies.