A NSW Labor Government report has slammed Premier Morris Iemma, finding water supply and management was the major environmental issue facing the community with four in five people saying the State Government needed do more, NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam said today. 

"This report is a major embarrassment for Morris Iemma and Labor, whose inaction over 12 years on the escalating water crisis is threatening our future," he said.  

"It highlights the need for Morris Iemma to declare a state of emergency on water to cut through the bureaucratic red tape."

The NSW Government 'Who Cares About the Environment in 2006?' Report asked respondents to nominate the single most important thing the State Government could do to protect the environment, water was nominated by the most people. When asked about State Government action on the environment, 81% of people said it needed to do more.  

"Morris Iemma has failed to deliver NSW a secure water supply over 12 years and now he wants 16 years," Mr Debnam said.

"Morris Iemma has demonstrated he can't deliver on infrastructure – be it water or roads.  

"Morris Iemma needs to adopt the NSW Liberal/Nationals water plan to drought proof NSW.

The plan includes:

• Declare a State of Emergency to cut through bureaucratic red tape;

• Harvest billions of litres of water of stormwater that flow out of sea after every rainfall;Boost rainwater tank installation by doubling the rainwater tank rebate;

• Repair ageing infrastructure and clear the backlog of over 200 projects needed to fix country and coastal towns' water and sewerage schemes;

• Enhanced dam capacities; and,

• Encourage large scale recycling by ending Sydney Water's monopoly.

  "After 12 years of Labor, the time for excuses is over. Only a change of government will deliver NSW a leader prepared to take action to secure our water supply," he said.