Customer Update - Restoring Murray Waterways – Wetland Watering EOI

Following the successful completion of Stage 4 of the Restoring Murray Waterways (RMW) Project, Murray Irrigation is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from local landholders to participate in the next phase of this project in anticipation of funding from the Commonwealth and support from the NSW Government. 

RMW is one of Australia’s largest targeted and collaborative environmental watering initiatives. Focused on reviving the health of, and restoring connection to, our region’s valuable creeks and wetlands, RMW uses Murray Irrigation’s supply channel network to deliver environmental water to creeks and wetlands in the Murray Irrigation area that otherwise only receive water in times of extreme flooding. 

RMW has been recently notified as a Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) project, with the outcomes recognised as a water recovery offset contribution to the 605GL target under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. 

Over the past 5 years Murray Irrigation has collaboratively worked with landholders across the footprint through the initial stages of RMW. This has enabled the increased environmental watering of 308km of creek systems and approximately 2,500 ha of private wetlands. 

The company is now progressing into the Expansion Phase of the project which aims to connect a further 10,000 ha of private wetlands once complete. 

The successful delivery of this Expansion (Stage 5) Phase will provide long-term shareholder and environmental value by enabling the delivery of already recovered environmental water across the Murray Irrigation footprint, helping to mitigate the potential for future local water recovery. 

The Expansion Phase of the project will target wetlands areas that can support wetland dwelling fauna and flora. Common examples of vegetation include Lignum, Boxgum, and River Red Gum country. Involvement in the program will generally involve civil works such as upgrades of outlets, channel clearing and crossings to facilitate watering and ongoing usage of the surrounding land. 

The capital works costs are covered by RMW, and no capital costs are incurred by landholders. Infrastructure works carried out on private land are planned in consultation with participating landholders. 

Future watering of wetlands is occasional, and arranged through agreement between environmental water managers and the landholder. 



If you believe you have a wetland that fits the above criteria and would like to be contacted by a member of the team to discuss this opportunity, please complete the EOI below.