The assessment identifies the coastal waterways most contaminated by microplastics and provides a clear picture of the scale and type of microplastics in New South Wales (NSW) waterways. The study provides a baseline for NSW coastal waterways, enabling targeted management and policy action, as well as raising awareness within the community of microplastic contamination.

This evaluation found the Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program delivered high‑value, policy‑relevant research that strengthened Basin management and supported water reform. It makes 7 recommendations, emphasising continued investment in research adoption, integration and long‑term funding to build an enduring research ecosystem and ensuring the Program’s full benefits are realised under future Basin challenges.

The outlook provides a forward-looking assessment of how climate change will shape the Murray–Darling Basin’s environmental, First Nations, social and economic future through to 2050 under existing management arrangements. It finds that Basin is virtually certain to become hotter, rainfall likely to become more variable, and droughts very likely to become more frequent and severe.

This is the first Aboriginal Water Strategy for New South Wales, Australia. It recognises that water is deeply important to Aboriginal peoples, forming a key part of their connection to Country and the life blood of culture and communities. It aims to keep and strengthen these connections by involving Aboriginal people in water management and...

This evaluation provides a significant body of current evidence addressing the effectiveness of the Basin Plan’s implementation, the observed outcomes of activities and processes, and the Plan’s overall impact and contribution to observed changes.