NEW technology means the public can see exactly how every major river in the state is being managed.
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Tamworth Regional Council water and waste director Bruce Logan has welcomed the new WaterNSW online portal that he's labelled a "great improvement".
"It will help answer more of the public's questions not only about regulated rivers but also about Chaffey Dam inflows and releases, and downstream river flows," he said.
The portal allows the public to see all river systems in the state with priority information like river flows, dam storages, water availability and the weather outlook.
It will help answer more of the public's questions not only about regulated rivers but also about Chaffey Dam inflows and releases, and downstream river flows.
- Bruce Logan
NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey said the technology is a critical step in enhancing transparency in the water sector and would be a historic step forward in transforming the sector for all users.
"With this new technology people can now see exactly what is happening in any major river valley, as well as having at their fingertips all the relevant information as to how that river is being managed," she said.
"This is not only a major asset for farmers seeking certainty around when they can and can't access water, it is an invaluable tool for enhancing the water literacy of anyone seeking a better understanding of the management of our river network.
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"We know the drought is biting hard, in unregulated river systems where water availability is governed by river volume, licence holders now have a clear picture of the prevailing water situation, especially in the case of a significant rain event which may generate flows."
The Water Insights portal shows key decision-making graphics in one place, comprehensive water resource information and interstate shares and historic data going back three decades.
A WaterNSW spokesman said it's expected farmers, environmentalists and recreational users would flock to the online portal.
The new system took more than two years to develop and uses the latest technology.