Part of the NSW Government’s Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) program, the Yanga National Park Project aims to improve the efficiency of environmental water delivery using a range of infrastructure solutions, including modifying embankments and upgrading regulators currently impacting these flows.
About Yanga National Park
Located on the traditional land of the Mutthi Mutthi, Nari Nari and Wadi Wadi people, Yanga National Park is one of the state’s newest parks but has a long and significant history. The park covers approximately 35,000 hectares on the Lower Murrumbidgee River floodplain. It is located alongside Redbank Weir and the township of Balranald in the Riverina region of the state’s southwest.
About the project
The project focusses on improving existing infrastructure and implementing operational changes to water distribution across the national park to improve outcomes for target ecological communities. Environmental water is water allocated and managed specifically to maintain and improve the health of rivers, wetlands and floodplains.
These infrastructure improvements will allow for more efficient and effective use of the environmental water currently diverted from the Murrumbidgee River.
The project will operate in conjunction with other SDLAM projects, including the neighbouring Gayini Nimmie-Caira Project which was completed in 2019.
Project details
The project works include:
- upgrading two primary offtake regulators from the Murrumbidgee River, the 1AS and 1ES sites
- implementing operational upgrades to a range of secondary flow regulating structures with new and improved configurations or new gate arrangements fitted to existing structures
- upgrading road structures such as pipe or box culverts and sills, which have historically been established to constrain water flow
- reopening of high flow paths by modifying earthen embankments.
- increased viability of native grasses, shrubs and trees such as lignum shrubland
- improved movement of fish, and fish habitat and refuge
- improved wetland condition, function and structure - meaning more favourable conditions for waterbirds and aquatic animals
- improved conditions for native plant species through reduced over-watering and under-watering
- improved drought refuge for native wetland fauna
- improved distribution between riverine, wetland and floodplain habitat, maintaining ecological connectivity and increasing structural diversity of habitats
- improved natural wetting and drying cycles to support aquatic flora and endangered native species such as the Australasian Bittern and the Southern Bell Frog.
Project status
The department’s Water Group is currently finalising the detailed design and environmental approvals, with the construction of infrastructure expected to start in early 2025.
Stakeholder and community engagement
We are committed to working together with stakeholders to design and deliver the best possible results for the region and its communities.
We have engaged extensively with communities and stakeholders to progress the project through the planning and design phases. We will continue to keep communities and stakeholders informed as the project moves into construction.
Upcoming engagement opportunities will be listed on this webpage and on our have your say page.
Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at: water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au