Murray Irrigation’s potential SDLAM project nets major funding boost

Murray Irrigation’s potential SDLAM project nets major funding boost

Murray Irrigation has secured a $33.5 million Commonwealth grant to fund the next stage of its innovative environmental watering initiative, Restoring Murray Waterways, which is focused on reviving the health of, and restoring connection to, our region’s valuable creeks and wetlands.

This project, previously known as the Murray Reconnected Floodplains, will use Murray Irrigation’s supply channel network to deliver environmental water to creeks and wetlands in the Murray Irrigation area that only receive water in times of extreme flooding. 

The announced funding will support a significant step forward for the initiative, enabling the company to upgrade existing infrastructure for targeted environmental water delivery to five targeted creeks while preserving landholder access during environmental watering. 

The on-ground works that will be carried out include the installation of fish friendly access crossings and replacing existing fences that cross the creeks with flood tolerant fences.

The project is also scoping opportunities to restore wetlands in the region.

As part of the grant, Murray Irrigation will develop a business case, which will identify the full potential scale of further works. 

The works will improve local environments and contribute to the aims of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan by allowing the government to achieve positive environmental outcomes using less water. 

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, congratulated and thanked Murray Irrigation for its commitment to better delivering for the environment. 

“This project is a great example of how we can make sure we get the most out of the water we already hold and use it to better look after the environment," Minister Plibersek said.

“It’s another way we’re working to give our river system its best chance of a healthy and sustainable future. 

“Delivering the Basin Plan will take governments, industry and community working together. Congratulations and thank you to Murray Irrigation Limited for their commitment to better delivering for our environment.” 

Murray Irrigation Chair, Noel Baxter, has welcomed the Commonwealth investment, saying it is the culmination of a long and focused process of engagement with local landholders and multiple government agencies. 

“Murray Irrigation’s channel system offers unique capacity to deliver water to the right place at the right time to achieve optimal environmental outcomes,” Mr Baxter said.

“We are pleased the Federal Government recognises the value of this project in terms of improved ecological outcomes, local jobs creation, partnerships with First Nations communities and, importantly, its potential contribution to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. 

“We believe there is potential, in the long-term, to upscale this initiative to connect creeks and wetlands throughout our Murray landscape. This will revitalise our region, achieve environmental outcomes and also ensure the sustainability of our water delivery network which underpins the economy and jobs in the Murray region.

“I look forward to Murray Irrigation continuing to work alongside the Federal Government to help deliver smart environmental watering solutions.”