Discover where to find information on aspects of environment and heritage that are not handled by our department.
Our website has a lot of environmental and heritage information and resources. To find the information you want, use the search function (
) or browse the menu at the top of each page.
If you can’t find what you're looking for on our website, it may be handled by other government agencies and organisations. We’ve summarised where you can find that information.
The Environment Protection Authority manages environmental issues, responds to pollution incidents and emergencies, and enforces environmental regulations for:
Visit 'Your Environment' on the Environment Protection Authority website.
The NSW Government presents air quality data and information on the:
Road tunnel air quality is monitored 24-hours a day by:
The Environment Protection Authority manages environmental issues, responds to pollution incidents and emergencies, and enforces environmental regulations for air pollution.
Visit the NSW Health website for information on the health effects of air pollution and how you can protect yourself.
NSW Government’s Air Quality in New South Wales shows suitable activities for the different levels of air quality for people sensitive to air quality and generally.
Allergy and asthma patients will find accurate, relevant, localised information on pollen levels in the air at the AusPollen project. The University of Melbourne and University of Western Sydney Sydney Pollen Count & Forecast has similar information.
The National Asthma Council of Australia offers tips for avoiding and coping with pollen.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has a map and information on current fires and incidents reported in New South Wales and current and upcoming hazard reduction burns.
Further information can be obtained by contacting:
The the Environment Protection Authority website has information on noise regulations.
Construction noise information is on Roads and Maritime Services NSW which is responsible for main roads.
For information on the management of noise from pubs, clubs and entertainment venues, please visit:
Transport NSW look after noise mitigation treatment for dwellings and noise sensitive land-uses, such as schools, hospitals and churches that are exposed to high levels of road traffic noise under their:
The Australian Rail Track Corporation uses a range of measures aimed at reducing and managing noise from trains.
Visit the Environment Protection Authority's 'Your Environment' for information on:
The Environment Protection Authority has information on:
Find out about the the collection, recycling and safe disposal of all batteries at Australian Battery Recycling Initiative formed by a group of battery manufacturers, recyclers, retailers, government bodies and environment groups to promote these activities.
Recycling of all brands and types of mobile phones, plus their batteries, chargers and accessories is managed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association via their:
Disposal of old, expired or unwanted medicines is managed by a national not-for-profit company funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Health.
AdaptNSW provides relevant, localised information to keep you informed and help you adapt to climate change.
NSW Climate and Energy Action provides information and opportunities to make sustainable choices for your household, businesses, or community. This includes support to save money and reduce your climate and energy impact and take action to reduce our emissions to net zero by 2050.
You can also find out about NSW Government policies and actions to transform our energy sector, accelerate our renewable energy infrastructure and ensure affordable and reliable energy.
Environmental legislation is administered by the Environment Protection Authority and Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and is found on the:
For information on environmental legislation managed at the federal level, visit:
The Environment Protection Authority assists with:
Reporting, incidents and recovery programs
We manage wildlife licences but volunteer carers are organised through wildlife rehabilitation organisations and they always need more help to rescue and care for sick or injured wildlife and orphaned young.
Carers need a:
You can help weed and replant the native bushland or national park in your local area. To volunteer for local Bushcare programs, contact your local council.
To volunteer in a national park, contact Environment Line at:
Or visit the National Parks and Wildlife Service and register your details for the program that suits you best.
Backyard burning and unauthorised incineration are prohibited in all council areas in the Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle regions, and in other NSW council areas under the:
During the Bushfire Danger Period, 1 October to 31 March, NSW Rural Fire Service restricts the use of fire through fire permits and total fire bans.
Outside the Bushfire Danger Period, the Environment Protection Authority may issue No Burn Notices to help reduce air pollution.
See the NSW Rural Fire Service for information on:
Before you light a fire, find out if you need to obtain a fire permit from Fire and Rescue NSW or the NSW Rural Fire Service. No burn notices or total fire bans override any permits obtained.
The Environment Protection Authority manages dangerous goods, chemicals, pesticides and hazardous materials and relevant licences.
For information on the selection of pesticides, visit:
NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Or for advice, contact:
• 1800 808 095
• bfs.admin@dpi.nsw.gov.au
For information on managing native vegetation on private property, visit Local Land Services. Certain types of clearing require approval and your Local Land Services can help you.
In some parts of the state, you need local government approval to clear native vegetation. If you live in a Sydney Metropolitan local government area, for example, contact your local council for advice on removing trees.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has information on water security and managing NSW water resources, including surface and groundwater management. It also ensures equitable sharing of surface and groundwater resources and secure and tradeable water entitlements and allocations.
Water NSW maintains and operates the assets that supply water to customers and communities and manages the system through floods and drought. It is a state-owned corporation established under the Water NSW Act 2014 and operates under an Operating Licence. They supply two-thirds of water used in New South Wales.
Sydney Water is Australia’s largest water utility, providing water, wastewater, recycled water and some stormwater services to all of Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.
See the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for information on Australia's plan for urban water and desalination.
The Sydney Desalination Plant at Kurnell is one of the largest operating desalination plants in the world. It sources its water from the Tasman sea. The plant is operational when dam levels fall below specified thresholds.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's Beachwatch program monitors and reports on water quality at swimming spots to help you decide where and when to swim:
There is further water quality information available through other government agencies and organisations.
WaterNSW operates a wide range of water monitoring programs to measure both water quality and quantity in all rivers, streams, groundwater bores and the dams that we operate across New South Wales. WaterNSW is also responsible for the management of blue-green algal blooms in the river systems and storages that they manage.
Waterwatch is a national citizen science program, involving landholders, community groups and schools, and aims to engage communities in monitoring and protecting the health of local waterways.
A licence is required to extract water from rivers or aquifers for commercial purposes, such as farm irrigation, but not to harvest rainfall, such as in a small dam.
For more information about irrigation and water licences, go to:
Or contact them at:
Find out what to see and where to stay in a NSW national park.
Buy annual and concession passes and book accommodation, campgrounds, tours and events at:
Or call the National Parks Contact Centre:
For the chance to see and learn about wildlife, sign up for a national parks' wildlife encounter.
National parks have an app with park information, maps and more.
Download the app.
Or pick up a printed brochure with maps at information centres within national parks.
Sign up for the latest news and information on experiences, events and conservation programs in NSW national parks.
It's great to explore and experience NSW national parks, and naturally, we encourage you to see and do as much as possible. We also want you, your family and friends to stay safe. Remember that parks are natural environments and can be unpredictable. You should plan your journey for all weather conditions.
Review the National Parks and Wildlife Service's safety initiative for additional information on staying safe in national parks.
This helps you to plan for a safe and enjoyable bushwalking experience or remote adventure.
If you're planning a walk in a remote area, hiring a PLB (personal locator beacon) is an added safety precaution. Most national parks have limited or no mobile phone network coverage. However, only activate a PLB as a last resort. First, try to send a distress alert by phone, radio or other direct communication. You can hire a PLB for free at 13 locations in NSW National Parks.
The NSW Office of Volunteering lists volunteering opportunities in the state.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has a large active volunteering community participating in conservation through:
Learn more about how you, your school or community can get involved. Help us to conserve threatened species and to learn more about our environment:
Australian marine parks and aquatic reserves were established to protect and conserve marine biodiversity and provide representative samples of our wonderfully varied marine life and habitats. Marine protected areas also support marine science, recreation and education.
Marine protected areas in New South Wales are managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens offers a plant identification service over the counter, by fax or mail. Fees apply.
The Royal Botanic Gardens maintains a free online plant database which has considerable information on NSW plants.
NSW BioNet, incorporating the Atlas of NSW, allows you to search online for government-held information about plants and animals in New South Wales. You can search by location or by type of animal or plant. The atlas is the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's database of flora and fauna records. The atlas contains records of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, some invertebrates and some fish.
For information on locally native plants in your area, contact your local council. They will have lists of species, and some offer seedlings for growing native gardens.
If you need assistance identifying weeds, ask your local council if you live on a residential property or local land services if you live on a rural property.
For information on weed management for local government, rural properties, primary producers, plant retailers and home gardeners, visit:
Almost 1000 animal and plant species are at risk of extinction in New South Wales. Find out what the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water are doing to protect them.
Along with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, there are a number of organisations that provide detailed information on native animals.
The Australian Museum also offer an identification service via their online inquiry form.
NSW BioNet, incorporating the Atlas of NSW, allows you to search online for government-held information about plants and animals in New South Wales. You can search by location or by type of animal or plant. The atlas is the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's database of flora and fauna records. The atlas contains records of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, some invertebrates and some fish.
Almost 1000 animal and plant species are at risk of extinction in New South Wales. Find out about what the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is doing to protect them.
A good field guide is the best means for accurate identification. Your local library should have local field guides in their reference section.
Frogs field guide is an iPhone app that has comprehensive information about frogs, including photographs and calls.
Listings of birds and a search by type, location or name is offered on:
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has extensive information on whale watching and identification.
See the Snake and spiders section for information on their identification, venom collection, and safe removal.
The Australian museum has factsheets with detailed information on snakes and spiders or you can use their online inquiry form.
Another source of information on snakes and spiders is the:
There are experts you can contact to remove or advise you on a snake on your property.
Arachne.org is a new field guide on spiders, a work-in-progress with additions made continually.
Find a spider, based in southern Queensland, is a comprehensive website covering many spider species living in New South Wales.
Knockout Pest Control have a quick identification guide to venomous Australian spiders.
The Australian Reptile Park collects both snake and spider venom for the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories to make antivenom. Snakes are a protected species and should only be captured by a licensed snake handler. Find out about their snake and spider venom collection program and how to safely collect funnel web spider specimens.
Exporting Australian native species to another country for commercial purposes is prohibited. Exporting for educational, research and exhibition purposes is possible under special permit.
Australia has strict quarantine regulations so there are stringent restrictions on importing live exotic wildlife (that is, non-native species). Only species on the live import list are allowed. Some may also need a CITES permit.
The Australian Government has detailed information on international wildlife trade and permits.
You need a licence to move protected native animals across state borders.
Individuals or organisations who want to display or exhibit wildlife in zoos, wildlife parks or mobile exhibitions, whether not for profit, for educational purposes or commercially, must be granted a permit, licence or approval by the NSW Department of Primary Industry.
The licensing scheme details steps exhibitors must take to house and care for their animals.
Legislation governs exhibitors so that they provide the required standards of care, presentation and safety.
To report an environmental or heritage problem or incident, see: