Due to adverse weather conditions and local road closures, the following community information sessions have been postponed:
- Tilpa on Tuesday 29 July 2025 at Tilpa Community Hall
- Louth on Wednesday 30 July at Louth Tennis Club.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank the community for their understanding.
We will reschedule the information sessions in the coming weeks and will provide further updates as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we invite community members to join a webinar about the project on Wednesday, 6 August, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
The community information sessions scheduled for Walgett and Collarenebri are going ahead as planned on Thursday 31 July. See below for more information.
About the project
The department recognises the importance of carefully balancing the needs of water users and the environment.
The Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin project seeks to reinstate waterways to allow native fish to flourish, while at the same time balancing the needs of local water users.
The project involves:
- the incorporation of partial width rock-ramp fishways at the existing weir sites at Banarway, Calmundi, Louth and Tilpa to improve fish passage
- the removal of an unlicensed structure on the Darling-Baaka River.
Native fish need to migrate to complete key life stages and to avoid drying habitats during drought. The distance migrated ranges from a few kilometres to entire river systems in the case of species like Golden Perch.
The project aims to address barriers to fish passage by installing fishways on infrastructure within our river systems.
The project would reinstate 506km of fish passage along the Barwon-Darling River system and 83km of fish passage along the Macintyre River.
The department has continued with the detailed design process for the fishways.
Following extensive feedback from stakeholders, the department has undertaken a thorough review and revised the original fishway designs to find another way forward that delivers fish passage while addressing local concerns about water security.
After carefully listening to the community, we are now proposing a much smaller reduction in weir height. A small section of each weir would be reduced by 100mm instead of 400mm – noting that lowering is necessary to enable the fishways to function.
We are also investigating the construction of additional off-river raw water storages at Louth and Tilpa to offset impacts on township non-potable water availability during dry times.
This is the safest and most effective way to allow native fish to pass the weirs while balancing water security, the needs of other water users and the environment.
It is important to note, these weirs were built in the 1950s and currently leak, resulting in billions of litres of water loss over their lifespans, that is why the project also involves partially mediating the weir to reduce water loss.
We continue to progress supporting activities for the fishways including the review of environmental factors, procurement strategies and licensing and agreements.
The construction of the fishways is due for completion by December 2026.
An assessment of reinstated fish passage at Toomelah Weir has been completed.
We have also completed works to remove a concrete structure blocking fish migration, known as Holdfast Crossing, in September 2024. The crossing is located approximately 14km North of Yetman in the Inverell Shire. The removal reinstated more than 64km of fish passage.
Works to remove an unlicensed structure on the Darling-Baaka are expected to begin in the second half of 2025.
The project will generate significant benefits including:
- increased movement of native fish species across the northern NSW Murray-Darling Basin
- increased abundance of native fish species in the system
- enhanced cultural values for First Nations communities (native fish are an important part of First Nations cultures in the region)
- support for regional economies and the creation of local job opportunities during construction
- increased regional tourism opportunities as native fish populations increase.
Location
View a map (PDF. 1.9MB) of the project sites.
Project funding
The project is funded by the Australian Government and is being delivered to support the Murray–Darling Basin Plan by the department in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Fisheries.
The Australian Government has allocated up to $56.8 million to fund the project.
About fishways
Fishways are structures placed on or around constructed barriers, such as dams or weirs, to provide a passageway to help fish migrate safely upstream and downstream.
Find out more about the different types of fishways, or view fishway diagrams below:
Download a copy of the fishways diagrams.
The proposed fishway design provides a balanced solution that acknowledges all needs of the various stakeholders. The benefits of the balanced approach include:
- fish passage outcomes
- minimal impact to water users
- long term benefits with reduced leakage and remediated infrastructure
- mitigation of out of channel flooding implications
- maintenance of upstream aquatic habitats
- no increase in operation cost to NSW Government and Water NSW
- flexibility for future infrastructure changes.
Download a copy of the artist’s impressions.
Stakeholder engagement
We will continue to provide opportunities for local communities and stakeholders to have their say on the project throughout its stages of development and delivery, and this feedback will be used as a key input into project decision-making.
Subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of the details of future engagement activities for the project.
Engagement with First Nations people
We recognise and acknowledge the unique relationship and deep Connection-to-Country First Nations people have as the Traditional Owners and First Peoples of Australia.
The wisdom and experience of First Nations communities will play a role in informing our approach. We have a dedicated engagement team who will guide our engagement with these communities, and we look forward to working with them to deliver real and tangible outcomes.
Upcoming engagement opportunities
Community members are invited to attend upcoming information sessions or a webinar to learn more about the project, ask questions and review the proposed fishway designs and the findings of the independent assessment of the water balance modelling at the weir sites. Each session will begin with a 30-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Walgett
When: Thursday 31 July 2025
Time: 9am – 11am
Where: PCYC Walgett,
65-71 Dewhurst Street, Walgett
Collarenebri
When: Thursday 31 July 2025
Time: 12:30pm – 2pm
Where: Collarenebri Sports Club,
26 - 30 Walgett St, Collarenebri
Webinar
When: Wednesday 6 August 2025
Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Where: Online. Registration is required.
Contact us for more information
Phone
1300 081 047