Submissions show a clear call for change for the Upper Murrumbidgee River
When people were asked to have their say on the future of the Upper Murrumbidgee River, they responded in force. The Independent Review Panel’s Draft Report attracted 257 submissions - a clear signal that people care deeply about this river and want to see real change.
The newly released consultation summary shows strong support for improving river health, modernising water management and strengthening accountability. It confirms what many communities, organisations and river advocates have been saying for years: the current arrangements are not doing enough for the Upper Murrumbidgee.
Key takeaways from the community consultation
30% flows must be delivered. Submissions strongly supported increasing environmental flows toward 30% of natural flows so the river has enough water, at the right times, to reconnect habitats, support native species, improve water quality and rebuild the ecological processes that keep it alive.
Tantangara Dam needs upgrading. The current outlet limits the volume and timing of water that can be released into the Upper Murrumbidgee. Upgrading it is essential if larger, better-timed environmental flows — including freshes and flushing flows — are to reach the river and deliver real benefits downstream.
First Nations voices must be central. Reform needs to recognise First Nations rights, knowledge and responsibilities, and ensure Traditional Owners are meaningfully involved in decisions about the future of these rivers.
The ACT needs a real seat at the table. The Upper Murrumbidgee flows through and matters deeply to the ACT, yet current arrangements do not adequately reflect the Territory’s interests, responsibilities or communities.
Accountability needs to be much stronger. People want more adaptive management, better monitoring, clearer reporting and stronger public confidence that decisions are improving river health.
Water Act reform matters. Bringing the Snowy Water Licence into contemporary national water governance arrangements would help strengthen transparency, compliance, accountability and environmental protection for the Upper Murrumbidgee.
Rivers of Carbon Workshop on the Murrumbidgee River
Time for action!
The strongest message from the submissions is that people are not asking for another round of process. They are asking for action. River recovery will require more water, better-timed flows, improved infrastructure, stronger rules, active monitoring and investment in the broader catchment.
It will also require better governance. First Nations must be central partners in the future management of the river, and the ACT must be properly included in decision-making. The Upper Murrumbidgee is too important to be managed through arrangements that leave key voices and responsibilities at the margins.
The next step: a Final Report that drives action
The Final Report is now the critical next step and will be published and provided to the Australian Government for consideration. It needs to highlight the strength of community concern with clear, ambitious recommendations that lead to measurable improvements for the Upper Murrumbidgee and Snowy rivers.
For the Upper Murrumbidgee, this is a moment of opportunity. The recommendations are clear; now the Australian Government needs to accept and implement them. Continued public support will be vital to keeping the river on the agenda and turning this moment into lasting change.
Tantangara Dam
Read the submissions and stay involved
The public submissions are now available to read through the consultation process. They offer a powerful snapshot of the community’s concerns, priorities and hopes for the river’s future.
Once the Independent Review Panel’s Final Report is released, ARRC will provide a clear analysis of the recommendations, explain what they mean for the Upper Murrumbidgee and montane rivers, and outline the practical steps needed to support implementation so that these rivers receive the water and care they need.
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