Today, we will publish guidelines for how Australian Government funding can be used to minimise the critical impacts of drought on the upper Murrumbidgee River.
The Upper Murrumbidgee Drought Operating Framework has been developed by the Australian Government, in consultation with the NSW and ACT Governments, Snowy Hydro Limited, and informed by stakeholder submissions.
In 2024, the Albanese Government set aside $10 million in annual funding over 3 years to support the release of additional water into the upper Murrumbidgee River should drought-like conditions emerge.
The Framework provides clear policy settings to maintain critical river flows and protect the environmental health of the upper Murrumbidgee River in dry periods. It includes:
- Objectives to guide drought response
- Flow triggers that determine when the Framework is activated
- Water release patterns to maintain river health
- Water accounting and management arrangements, and
- Processes for assessing the cost of forgone energy generation.
The Framework has been established to address key considerations such as protecting environmental flows, minimising downstream impacts, and managing energy compensation.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said being adaptable in the face of a changing climate was at the core of the Albanese Government's water management and planning decisions.
"If faced with very dry conditions, the upper Murrumbidgee will need a helping hand," Minister Watt said.
"That's why we're implementing this framework now, to make sure we mitigate these effects before we see impacts on our environment, which impacts our communities.
"I thank my NSW and ACT counterparts and Snowy Hydro Limited for their collaboration and look forward to our continued efforts in prioritising the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee."
Implementation will be supported by agreements made by the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, NSW Government agencies, and Snowy Hydro Limited.
Further supporting work is also continuing through the review of the Snowy Hydro Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed.
The independent review of the agreement made in 2002 between the Australian, New South Wales and Victorian governments to provide more water for high-altitude Snowy Montane rivers will look for ways to enhance the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River, above Burrinjuck Dam.
Public feedback is being sought on an Issues Consultation Report which outlines the issues being considered in the review.
