The New South Wales (NSW) government has enacted the Water Management Amendment (Easements for Inundation) Bill, which allows for the inundation of private land to facilitate essential environmental water flows. This legislation is seen as crucial for maintaining the health of ecosystems in the Murray-Darling Basin, according to ecologist Richard Kingsford, who noted that such flows are vital for supporting native fish and other wildlife. However, the bill has sparked controversy among landholders who feel they were not adequately consulted or compensated regarding easements on their properties. Independent MP Helen Dalton is responding by drafting a new act aimed at recognizing food production as a strategic priority for the state, emphasizing the need for better engagement with rural communities. The NSW government insists that the new law does not provide unfettered powers to flood private land and maintains that ongoing negotiations with affected landholders will continue. The Department of Climate Change has stated that the bill will not affect existing water management agreements or negotiations, aiming to balance environmental needs with agricultural interests.