NSW Water for the Environment Program Evaluation

The challenge

The NSW Water for the Environment (WftE) Program manages environmental water across multiple river, wetland and floodplain systems to improve ecological condition, support regional livelihoods and uphold cultural values. After a decade of significant reform and two prior evaluations, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water needed an independent evaluation of the 2019–2024 period that could credibly assess efficiency, equity and outcomes in a complex social–ecological system, and provide clear recommendations for the next phase.

Our approach

Cobalt59 designed a participatory, systems‑based evaluation grounded in a refined program logic and a structured set of key evaluation questions. We worked with a steering committee including senior representatives from governance, regional operations, Aboriginal programs and monitoring and evaluation, using their ongoing input to guide an iterative, multi‑perspective process. The methodology followed three phases: system definition (boundaries, subsystems, stakeholder relationships, inputs, feedbacks), efficiency evaluation (how well processes and tools supported delivery) and effectiveness evaluation (how system‑wide interactions contributed to ecological and cultural outcomes). Using a critical systems heuristic overlay, we ensured representation across formal support systems, regional delivery, planning, programs, strategy, science and Aboriginal cultural values, combining structured interviews (including 14scientists and most team leaders), document review, program data, and catchment‑level profiles.

The result

The evaluation provided a rich, evidence‑based picture of how the WftE Program is functioning across efficiency, equity and outcomes, and assessed progress on previous recommendations as well as achievement against current objectives, targets and long‑term outcomes. It identified strengths in governance, planning and science integration, highlighted where monitoring and evaluation are enabling adaptive management, and surfaced gaps and constraints that are limiting equity, cultural integration and system‑wide effectiveness. The final report offered a clear set of actionable recommendations to strengthen governance, stakeholder engagement, cultural embedding and learning systems, positioning the program for more effective and equitable environmental water management over the next planning period.

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