Part of the NSW Government’s Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) Acceleration Program, the Yanco Creek Modernisation Project aims to modernise infrastructure to enable smarter use of water in the Yanco Creek system – including Yanco, Billabong, Colombo and Forest creeks.
About the Yanco Creek system
The Yanco Creek system links two of Australia’s largest rivers—the Murrumbidgee and Murray, through over 800 km of interconnected waterways in the Riverina region of southwestern NSW.
The creek system commences in the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people and flows through Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Wamba Wamba and Bangerang traditional country.
These local waterways support many important uses including farming, town water supply, native fish and waterbirds, and recreation. They also have significant cultural heritage value.
About the project
The project will allow water to be delivered more efficiently within the Yanco Creek system, minimising water losses.
The department’s Water Group has investigated a range of options to improve water management in the Yanco Creek system, including monitoring, controls, alternative supply points and operating rules.
We have assessed these options against social, cultural, environmental and economic considerations, and are moving forward with works which will deliver strong environmental and community benefits.
Project status
The Water Group is currently finalising the detailed designs and environmental approvals for several parts of the project, with the aim of beginning construction of some sub-projects in early 2025.
At the same time, we are also preparing a detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed new Hartwood and Wanganella regulators, which are classified as State Significant Infrastructure. The EIS will be put on public exhibition later this year for community members to give their feedback.
Project details
The project includes:
- new regulators and access culverts to allow more efficient delivery of environmental water into the Forest Creek system including Wanganella Swamp
- two new Billabong Creek regulators to replace ageing fixed crest weirs
- a new Wilsons Anabranch Offtake regulator
- a new regulator to return unplanned flows in Forest Creek downstream of Warriston Weir back to the Billabong Creek via Piccaninny Creek
- four new hydrometric measurement stations to improve flow measurement at strategic locations across the Yanco Creek system
- new environmental flow provisions for the Yanco Creek system
- new operating rules for the delivery of water from irrigation escapes into the Yanco Creek system
- improved use of technology to allow new infrastructure to be managed efficiently.
- more efficient delivery of environmental water
- improved fish passage (e.g., new fishways)
- improved knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage
- improved Connection-to-Country for Traditional Owners
- an economic, training and employment boost for local communities during project delivery
- improved levels of services (e.g., more flexible timing to irrigation scheduling)
- reduced risk of further non-strategic water market purchases from the southern-connected Basin to meet NSW Basin Plan commitments.
Stakeholder and community engagement
The Water Group is committed to working together with stakeholders to design and deliver the best possible results for the region and its communities.
We have formed a stakeholder advisory group to guide the project decision-making process. It includes representatives from key stakeholder groups, local landholders and Traditional Owners.
We have provided opportunities for local communities and stakeholders to have their say on the project throughout the stages of development. This feedback has been used as a key input into project decision making.
We will continue to engage with the community as we prepare to start construction and to support the public exhibition of the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed new Hartwood and Wanganella regulators.
Engagement opportunities will be listed on this webpage and on the Water Group’s have your say page.
Engagement with First Nations people
We recognise and acknowledge the unique relationship, understanding and deep Connection-to-Country First Nations people have as the Traditional Owners and first peoples of Australia, and this plays a crucial role in informing our approach to the project.
We have worked closely with First Nations communities to complete Aboriginal cultural heritage studies of the project sites and we will have First Nations representatives on site during construction to monitor works and ensure cultural artefacts are preserved and protected.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the frequently asked questions about the project.
What are the aims of the project?
The Yanco Creek Modernisation Project aims to:
- maintain and improve flows
- keep the Yanco, Billabong, Forest and Colombo Creeks flowing
- be smart in the use of available water
- modernise ageing infrastructure
- ensure project benefits for irrigators, town water supplies, native fish, water birds, culture and heritage and recreational use.
Will each part of the project have its own environmental approval or the will they be combined in one assessment and approvals process?
The department’s Water Group is preparing a detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed new Hartwood and Wanganella regulators, which are classified as State Significant Infrastructure. The EIS will be put on public exhibition in the second half of 2024 for community members to give their feedback.
The Water Group is finalising the environmental approvals for the other parts of the project through Review of Environmental Factors (REF) or exempt development approval pathways.
Who is responsible for delivering this project?
This project is part of the broader Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) Acceleration Program and has both NSW and Australian Government support. It is being led by the department’s Water Group and is being delivered by the 3Rivers Partnership, a collaboration between the Water Group and consulting firms GHD and Jacobs, working closely with technical partners and the community.
The project includes stakeholder and technical advisory groups to ensure there are community and technical inputs into the project development and assessment. We recognise communities have the local knowledge needed to make the best investment decisions.
Is WaterNSW involved in the project? 
We are committed to having a whole of government approach to the delivery of the project. WaterNSW is a key stakeholder and is expected to be the ultimate owner and operator of most of the new infrastructure once delivered. WaterNSW is a member of the project’s design focus group and has significant input into project design and operational considerations.
What are the expected water savings from the project?
The project is part of the SDLAM Acceleration Program. The program will deliver up to 45 GL of the outstanding amount needed to reach the 605 GL target required by the Murray Darling Basin Plan each year, delivering strong ecological outcomes for the Murray-Darling Basin.
Early estimates indicate the project, in combination with the Computer Aided River Management (CARM) project, will deliver about 16 GL of water savings per year on average.
Why do we have to give up water here for downstream users?Â
This project is identifying real world outcomes to benefit this community. Each element of this project it attempting to provide benefit for all creek users. The project is focused on smarter and more efficient water use, as opposed to taking water away from the Yanco Creek System.
How does the project fit into the Murray Darling Basin Authority reconciliation process, using the ecological scoring tool?
The project uses Environmental Water Requirements (EWRs) to provide a best available scientific approach to assess real world outcomes. Although there are several similarities, this approach is different to the current reconciliation process used by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
Based on the reconciliation process used by MDBA, early estimates indicate the project, in combination with the Computer Aided River Management (CARM) project, will deliver about 16 GL of water savings per year on average.
What is being done about fish passage and breeding?
Many of the Yanco sub-projects are investigating the construction and restoration of fish passage between water bodies, enabling native fish to safely bypass obstacles such as weirs and fish barriers. By re-establishing these travel corridors, various species will have greater access to habitat and breeding areas.
The most significant fish passage investments include the proposed construction of vertical slot fishways at each of the new Hartwood and Wanganella regulators. These fishways would enable fish to swim from downstream to upstream of the regulator during minimum flows up to flood flows.
How much fish research has been conducted in the creek system and as part of the project?Â
We are working closely with the Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries. They are a member of the project’s design focus group and are a key stakeholder. DPI Fisheries has made historical fish research in the Yanco Creek system available, including fish monitoring analysis, barriers to fish passage information and best practice design and construction information for the development of fishways.
In March 2024, DPI Fisheries completed native fish habitat surveys in areas both upstream and downstream of the new proposed Hartwood and Wanganella regulators.
Will there be an allocation of native fish back into the system?
Fish restocking is beyond the scope of the infrastructure being delivered through the project; however, we will continue to work with other government departments as appropriate.
Who are the members of the advisory groups?
The Yanco Stakeholder Advisory Group was set up to provide the project team with high quality, well considered strategic advice and recommendations on matters related to the project.
The group is chaired by an independent facilitator and is an important part of the governance of the project. It comprises representatives of relevant local organisations including:
- local councils (Murrumbidgee Council, Federation Council, and Edward River Council)
- Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council
- First Nations groups
- Creek Country Alliance
- Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists
- NSW Farmers Association
- recreation/tourism representatives.
The project’s Design Focus Group includes technical specialists and advisors from organisations including:
- WaterNSW
- NSW Fisheries
- the Water Group
- 3Rivers Partnership
- external contractors with relevant technical expertise (e.g., construction)
How many positions for First Nations parties are on the stakeholder advisory group?
There is one First Nations position on the Yanco Stakeholder Advisory Group. Other First Nations representatives have attended advisory group meetings as observers.
Contact us
For more information phone 1300 081 047 or email yanco.sdlprogram@dpie.nsw.gov.au