NSW Rivers Environmental Restoration Program

Macquarie Marshes, Gwydir Wetlands, Lowbidgee Wetlands and Narran Lakes, New South Wales

Australian Government Funding: $79,620,000

About the project

The primary activity has planned and acquired environmental water through purchase of entitlements from willing sellers. When water is not required for the environment it can be traded back to irrigators on the temporary market. The Australian Government funds will ensure best use of environmental water in NSW; by targeting projects to improve the science, water delivery and community engagement aspects of environmental water management. The project consists of a number of elements:

acquisition and management of water for environmental benefit
enabling better use of environmental water by modelling, monitoring and decision support system
ensuring better delivery of environmental water using through works and river management measures
boosting the benefits of environmental water on private land through conservation agreements.

The project builds on the NSW Wetland Recovery project also funded through the Water Smart Australia Program.

Project benefits

The project has:

recovered environmental water to improve and maintain wetland habitat and protect in-stream hydrology
developed a framework for water trading
improveed the science base for adaptive management of water
improveed the release, management and delivery of environmental flows
protected important wetlands on private land
improveed land and water management practices on private land
provideed opportunities for Aboriginal communities to undertake cultural pursuits in important wetlands.