The NSW Government has announced the Reconnecting River Country Program to improve environmental, social and cultural outcomes for communities along the Murray and Murrumbidgee River systems. The program focuses on delivering local community benefits first and foremost, as part of the NSW Government’s continued commitment to delivering sensible, community driven Murray-Darling Basin Plan outcomes. It reimagines the previous Constraints Measures Program and has been developed based on extensive feedback from the local community.
About the program
The Reconnecting River Country Program aims to achieve a balance of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes across southern NSW by improving wetland and floodplain connectivity.
The program focuses on delivering local community benefits first and foremost, as part of the NSW Government’s continued commitment to delivering sensible, community driven Murray-Darling Basin Plan outcomes. It reimagines the previous Constraints Measures Program and has been developed based on extensive feedback from the local community.
The program focuses on relaxing or removing some of the constraints or physical barriers impacting the delivery of water for the environment in the following areas in the southern-connected Murray–Darling Basin (the basin):
- Hume to Yarrawonga (Murray River)
- Yarrawonga to Wakool (Murray River)
- Murrumbidgee River.
A constraint is any physical, policy or operational barrier limiting the flow of water in river systems. There are a range of flow constraints in the basin, meaning rivers connect to their floodplains less often than is needed to maintain healthy river, wetland and floodplain ecosystems. The program aims to remove or relax these constraints.
The program is part of the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM), which aims to achieve improved environmental outcomes using existing water for the environment. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority estimated the program is likely to prevent approximately 60GL of water purchases, meaning we can achieve strong environmental outcomes without negative economic consequences for our communities. It will enable water for the environment to be delivered more efficiently to connect rivers to floodplains more often without the need for further water purchases.
Solutions for the Lower Darling that were previously included in the former Constraints Measures Program are being considered as part of the rescope of the Menindee Lakes Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) project.
The program will potentially deliver important economic stimulus and benefit to regional economies in southern NSW. Importantly, it will also create healthier river systems providing generational benefits for local communities.
Implementation of the program will also potentially deliver a range of outcomes benefitting Aboriginal communities, such as improved connection between healthy Country and a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable Aboriginal culture and community.
Landholders, land managers and communities will see the benefits through investment in infrastructure and on-farm works, the potential for improved agricultural productivity for graziers due to floodplain flows, as well as improved recreational fishing and tourism.
The NSW Government will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure issues are identified and a suite of tools developed to mitigate any potential effects before making changes to existing rules, policies or infrastructure.
This may include new or upgraded infrastructure, easements or changes to river operating rules, which will be developed collaboratively with stakeholders as the program progresses.
Register now for updates, ask a question and access further information.
Recent water levels across the Riverina
The water levels recently experienced, and in some cases still being experienced, across the Riverina were (or are) well above the flows being considered by the Reconnecting River Country Program.
No decisions have been made about flows and there will be no compulsory acquisitions under the program.
Inundation mapping was released on 1 July to provide landholders with a clear picture of the extent of inundation under the different flow options being considered by the program.
To view the interactive maps, visit the program’s virtual room and choose the ‘interactive map’ icon on the bottom left of the screen.
These options are being discussed with stakeholders as part of community engagement activities scheduled for the second half of 2022.
We take the views of landholders and stakeholders seriously and we encourage them to have their say on the inundation mapping and flow options to ensure we get it right.
Feedback will play a vital role in helping us to finalise the inundation mapping and flow options during the next phase of the program.
We are aware of community concerns about flood risks and are working with river operators, technical experts, riparian landholders and public land managers to better understand these issues as part of a broader assessment of potential benefits and impacts of the program.
Program reference groups
Find out more about the program’s landholder and First Nations reference groups.
Visit the virtual hub
For the most up-to-date information, to subscribe for updates and provide feedback on the program visit the new virtual hub.
Visit the information hub
To view the latest materials about the program, including fact sheets, brochures, summaries, animations/videos and webinar recordings, visit the new information hub.
Landholder Negotiation Scheme
The NSW Government is developing a state-wide Landholder Negotiation Scheme setting out the approach to negotiating agreements with landholders. Find out more.
Program partners
The program is funded by the Australian Government and is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
It is being led by the Department of Planning and Environment’s (the department) Water Infrastructure NSW in partnership with the department’s Environment and Heritage division and the Department of Regional NSW’s Local Land Services, who will work with landholders and communities across the southern basin to implement the program.
In delivering the program we are also working with:
- WaterNSW
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- NSW Department of Primary Industries–Fisheries
- Murray–Darling Basin Authority
- Victorian Government.
Acceleration projects
The NSW Government is also bringing forward $330 million worth of its remaining SDLAM projects through the NSW SDLAM Acceleration Program. Two of these projects deliver outcomes within the Reconnecting River Country Yarrawonga to Wakool project, including:
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and we show our respect for Elders past, present and emerging through thoughtful and collaborative approaches to our work, seeking to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to providing places in which Aboriginal people are included socially, culturally and economically.
Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at: winsw.engagement@dpie.nsw.gov.au