An expansion of the Restoring Murray Waterways Project is now underway through a commitment of up to $73.5 million by the Albanese Government, to improve the health of rivers, wetlands and floodplains in the southern NSW Murray.
The work will focus on the Edward-Wakool system and extending benefits across the Murray-Darling system.
Supported by the Australian Government's Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) program and delivered in partnership by Murray Irrigation Limited (MIL) and the NSW Government, the project builds on the success of the pilot, to improve connectivity across the Edward-Wakool river system.
This next phase will enable more efficient delivery of environmental flows across 320 km of creeks and 6,482 ha of wetlands by upgrading MIL's gravity-fed irrigation network, including the removal of infrastructure constraints that limit the natural movement of water.
By leveraging this network, the project will deliver more water to areas that typically only receive flows during high Murray River events, improving the health of rivers, floodplains and ecosystems while reducing the need for additional water recovery measures.
Key infrastructure upgrades include:
- upgrades to existing escapes and channels within the MIL network
- improvements to creek crossings and fencing on private land
- construction of additional escape structures to distribute water to new wetland areas
- installation of fish-friendly crossings.
The project will also deliver practical benefits for landholders by improving access across creeks during watering events, supporting both agricultural productivity and environmental outcomes.
The project is on track for completion as required by 31 December 2026.
The SDLAM program is part of the Murray−Darling Basin Plan and is designed to achieve improved environmental outcomes for rivers, wetlands and wildlife, by improving environmental flows.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"The Albanese Government remains committed to delivering the Murray−Darling Basin Plan in a way that balances the needs of communities, industries and our environment.
"In a climate where every drop counts, Australians deserve to have confidence their systems can reliably and efficiently deliver water.
"Our investment in SDLAM projects delivers the best of both worlds - similar or improved ecological outcomes while leaving more water in the consumptive pool."
Quotes attributable to the NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson:
"We know there's no single solution to restoring our rivers, but making smarter use of existing infrastructure is a proven way to return more water to the environment while reducing reliance on buybacks.
"This investment is about finding practical, balanced solutions that work for communities and for the environment, improving the way water moves through the system so we can deliver better outcomes with the water we already have.
"It's also a reflection of the strong partnerships behind this work. Landholders, Aboriginal communities and local stakeholders have helped shape these projects, ensuring they deliver real benefits on the ground while protecting the waterways the Edward-Wakool community depends on."
Quotes attributable to Murray Irrigation Limited (MIL) CEO Ron McCalman:
"Murray Irrigation is in the privilege position to be able to draw on our infrastructure and water delivery expertise to assist the NSW and Australian Governments deliver genuine environmental outcomes using already recovered water more efficiently.
"Restoring Murray Waterways is an outstanding outcome of collaboration between governments, First Nations and local landholders - and a powerful example of what we can achieve when we all work together.
"Murray Irrigation is proud to be contributing to solutions in this space. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the latest stage of the project and exploring future potential opportunities."
