SWIOID Review Issue Analysis – worth a read! (27 Nov 2025)
The below text has been copied from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water website on 1st December 2025.
The Australian Government has started a review of the Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed (the Deed). The review will look at ways to enhance the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River, above Burrinjuck Dam.
The Deed is a 2002 agreement among the Australian Government, New South Wales and Victoria. These are the Deed Parties. The deed gives effect to the outcomes of the:
1998 public Snowy Water Inquiry
2002 corporatisation of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme (the Snowy Scheme).
The Deed has not been reviewed since its establishment in 2002. The review will look at ways to modernise water management in the Snowy Scheme and to enhance the health of the upper Murrumbidgee by:
aligning with the sustainability goals of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and national water reforms
creating an adaptation management framework. This will work within the Snowy Scheme’s operational limits. It will respond to the changes in climate, catchment conditions and electricity market conditions
promoting the sustainability of operating arrangements for national pumped hydro assets. This will support the National Electricity Market and other water-dependent values
exploring ways to enhance environmental outcomes through increased water releases while balancing the needs of downstream water users and the National Electricity Market.
The Review Issues Analysis paper provides a shared understanding of the context. It identifies key problems, gaps and questions to look at through the Review.