Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Rose Jackson MLC, NSW Minister for Water
Exciting progress is being made on a string of water infrastructure projects across southern NSW, funded by the Albanese Government and delivered as part of the Minns Labor Government's work to boost the health of waterways under its Murray-Darling Basin Plan commitments.
The Albanese Government is providing $446 million for the projects under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan's Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) program.
These projects contribute to the Basin Plan's environmental outcomes by upgrading infrastructure to deliver water for the environment more effectively and leave more water available for community and agricultural use.
Contracts for more than 20 works packages within the SDLAM Acceleration Program have now been awarded worth around $120 million in total, across 50 project sites, with a strong focus on local jobs and suppliers.
These updates include:
- The major construction contracts to replace two large regulators along Billabong Creek at Wanganella and Hartwood, part of the Yanco Creek Modernisation Project, awarded to Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure.
- Four new bridges across Tuppal Creek are nearing handover to landholders. These will enable better streamflow connectivity and improved fish passage, while also allowing landholders to maintain land access during targeted watering events.
- Construction in Millewa Forest within Murray Valley National Park to replace infrastructure at five locations by mid-late 2026. This includes regulating gates and fishways at the Pinchgut, Nestrons, Moira, Little Edwards and Bullatale regulators to improve environmental water delivery and fish habitat.
- Further progress in the Koondrook-Perricoota Forest, with $20 million of work underway including 5.9km earthen levee at Shear Paddock being handed over to the landholder. Work has also commenced on replacing the Little Barbers Creek offtake regulator and block banks at Widderin and Woodara. The works will enable higher flows to be delivered into the forest, revitalising the forest's iconic river red gum woodlands and creating breeding opportunities for native fauna and aquatic species.
- Works in the Yanga National Park to repair and upgrade access tracks to be used for SDLAM construction activities to replace regulators for environmental watering and ongoing WaterNSW operations. This will involve installing a new geofabric membrane or rock-gravel surface across more than 20 km of trail network along with vehicle passing bays.
To learn more about the NSW Government's SDLAM projects, visit: water.nsw.gov.au/SDLAM
Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt:
"The Albanese Government is committed to delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in a way that balances the needs of communities, industries and the environment.
"SDLAM projects can achieve similar or improved ecological outcomes with less water, leaving more water in the consumptive pool.
"The outcomes of these projects reflect years of investment and reform under the Basin Plan, as well as ongoing commitment and collaboration from our state and territory counterparts.
"I look forward to these SDLAM projects progressing, following the extension of time provided by the Restoring Our Rivers Act."
Quotes attributable to the NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson:
"Whether it be bridges, regulators, culverts, levees, we're looking at the full gamut of measures that will allow us to shepherd critical water through the system in the most effective and least disruptive way.
"We know there's still a long way to go, but it's great to see the SDLAM projects gaining momentum because this infrastructure is vital in helping us get the best outcomes for these precious ecosystems and the communities that rely on them."
