One year after launching the state's first Aboriginal Water Strategy, the NSW Government has offered roughly 130 water licences to approximately 35 Aboriginal organisations in a first-of-its-kind process.

The water licences, surrendered to the NSW Water Minister over many years, amount to around 8,250 water shares which have been offered to Aboriginal organisations for uses including agricultural, commercial, cultural or environmental purposes.

The first year also saw 121 Aboriginal cultural water licences, each for up to 10 megalitres, issued across the state, bringing the total number to 127.

Cultural water licences provide Aboriginal organisations with a real asset used to deliver cultural, environmental, social and economic benefits according to local community priorities.

The NSW Government said the Strategy launched on 15 October last year to help deliver on its "commitment to increase Aboriginal water ownership. Achievements from the first year are outlined in the NSW Aboriginal Water Strategy 12-month progress report".

The government has also committed $10.7 million over 2 years in the 2026 Budget to support implementation of the strategy, which provides a long-term framework for addressing longstanding inequities in water access, ownership and decision-making.

By increasing Aboriginal ownership of water, strengthening Aboriginal voices in water management and protecting culturally significant waterways and landscapes, the strategy "aims to deliver lasting benefits" for Aboriginal communities across NSW, the government said.

Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Laurie Perry said: "We didn't know about or understand the process about getting Aboriginal water licences and this project has given us a leg-up and now we can show others how it's done."

"Aboriginal people should have the same rights and access as other people, to build their businesses and assets," he said.

"We have done a feasibility study and there is a real market for it, so we are ready to go.

"All our projects provide employment for Aboriginal people and benefit the community, including the mining rehabilitation work we do."

NSW Executive Director of Water Policy & Regulatory Reform, Madeleine Mispel, said "just one year after committing to put water back in Aboriginal hands, approximately 35 organisations are set to receive around 130 water access licences that can deliver cultural, environmental and economic benefits for generations".

"Aboriginal communities have been excluded from water ownership and decision-making for far too long. While we cannot undo that injustice overnight, we are taking practical steps to transfer ownership, remove barriers and support self-determination," she said.

"This is about returning water to Aboriginal communities so they can determine how it is used for cultural, environmental and economic outcomes.

"These ongoing water licences will help communities care for Country, strengthen culture, grow food, support businesses and create new economic opportunities."

The full report is now available online.