Slow start for a big vision: Upper Murrumbidgee health strategy still finding its feet
In late 2023, I stood alongside Senator David Pocock with my colleague Andy Lowes and First Nations leaders to announce a major investment in restoring the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee River. It was a long-awaited moment — a federal commitment to care for one of the most ecologically and culturally important stretches of river in the Murray–Darling Basin: the river corridor between Tantangara Dam and Burrinjuck Reservoir, where cold alpine flows used to wind through mountain valleys, farmlands and fragile ecosystems.
However, with over 90% of the Upper Murrumbidgee’s lifeblood diverted away from the river by the Tantangara Dam, the river is very thirsty and has, in effect, been experiencing drought since 1960 when the dam was built. While we do what we can to restore its health, we are, in truth, bearing witness to its slow and heartbreaking decline.
This is why we mounted the Forgotten River campaign in 2023 - a huge effort, driven by passion and urgency, to bring attention to this silent crisis. Yet despite that hard-won commitment, we are still waiting to see real change on the ground. It is deeply frustrating and wearing to have fought so hard and won great promises, only to be slowed down by government red tape.
Although the Upper Murrumbidgee lies within the geographic scope of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, its flows and operations have long been governed under a separate legal framework. The river forms part of the Snowy Scheme, and water releases from Tantangara Dam are managed through the Snowy Water Licence and the Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed (SWIOID). These instruments sit outside the Water Act 2007, meaning that while the Basin Plan applies in principle, many of its core mechanisms including sustainable diversion limits, environmental water delivery and flow planning, have had limited influence in this part of the system. As a result, the Upper Murrumbidgee has not benefited from the same level of coordinated protection, restoration or oversight as other rivers in the Basin.
Twelve months after the funding announcement, in December 2024, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) released the formal Strategy to Improve the Health of the Upper Murrumbidgee, backed by up to $55.6 million in Commonwealth funding.
The strategy was widely welcomed. It outlined plans for river restoration, cultural water recognition, long-term monitoring, and a long-overdue review of how Snowy Hydro operations affect downstream flows.
Nearly two years have passed since the original announcement, and almost a full year has elapsed since the strategy’s release. The ARRC, along with many within the community are now asking why so little of the promised funding has translated into action on the ground.
A strategy with strong foundations
The strategy sets out five areas of investment:
On-ground river restoration (weed control, erosion repair, revegetation)
First Nations participation and cultural values
Science and monitoring
Contingency funding for environmental flows during drought
Review of the SWIOID
The governance approach was designed to be collaborative, involving the Commonwealth, NSW and ACT governments, First Nations representatives, catchment groups and local communities.
This was an important recognition that the Upper Murrumbidgee, long excluded from national water recovery programs, deserves a future grounded in care, cultural knowledge, and long-term environmental stewardship.
What is causing the delay?
Despite the strength of the strategy on paper, implementation has been slow.
Only a handful of small-scale projects have commenced, including weed control, landholder engagement, and early planning for erosion mitigation. The vast majority of the $55.6 million remains unspent.
The delay appears to be tied to the structure of the Federal Funding Agreements (FFAs) that underpin the program. These agreements were essential to ensure that the funding is spent in the Upper Murrumbidgee — not diverted elsewhere within the ACT or NSW. While this accountability is critical, the process has introduced a significant lag: both jurisdictions must develop detailed project work plans, which then require Commonwealth assessment and approval against set performance milestones before any funding can flow. It’s a system designed for oversight, but one that has made progress painfully slow
This system provides accountability but has also created administrative bottlenecks. Each project must pass through multiple layers of government approval before any work can begin.
NSW and ACT met the first funding milestone (“Project Commencement”) in May 2025, 17 months after the announcement was made. Progress on project-level work plans is still underway across both jurisdictions.
Governance: progress and friction
One of the strategy’s most significant components is the review of the SWIOID - the 2002 agreement that governs water releases from the Snowy Scheme.
An Independent Review Panel has now been appointed to lead this process. On 1 October 2025, I met with the panel to raise long-standing community concerns and advocate for improved transparency, stronger environmental outcomes, and the inclusion of cultural values in water decision-making.
In parallel, DCCEEW released the draft drought operating framework for public consultation in August 2025. This framework proposes a set of triggers and rules for accessing contingency flows from Tantangara Dam during periods of low river health. It remains in draft form and has not yet been finalised ahead of the approaching summer.
A river still waiting
There is deep local knowledge, strong partnerships, and a clear readiness to deliver projects. Without timely access to funding and streamlined decision-making, the scale of restoration needed remains out of reach.
Some initial projects have commenced:
In NSW, Macquarie Perch have been successfully translocated, and woody weed control is underway on private properties.
In the ACT, erosion control planning and riparian restoration activities have started in targeted areas.
These actions are welcome but remain small compared to the ambition of the strategy.
At Tantangara Dam, the Upper Murrumbidgee’s flow is managed from afar, awaiting the outcomes of long-awaited reforms.
Where to from here?
The strategy provides a strong foundation and a shared vision for a healthier river. There is still time to restore momentum and deliver lasting outcomes.
To move forward, the following priorities are critical:
Accelerate project approvals and unlock stalled funding for shovel-ready work
Publish clear updates on milestones, project status and spending
Clarify governance roles and strengthen cross-jurisdictional coordination
Embed First Nations leadership through genuine co-design and delivery
Finalise the drought operating framework to ensure contingency flows can be used when needed
Resource community-based groups and delivery partners already working with the river
The Upper Murrumbidgee has waited long enough. With the right support and timely action, this strategy still has the potential to deliver meaningful change.
Turning that potential into real outcomes will depend on trust, transparency, and the willingness to let communities lead.
What can you do?
Community members can take two actions to support the movement of the strategy:
Submit a concern request to DCCEEW
Stay informed by signing up for community updates, and share this article with family and friends to continue raising awareness for The Forgotten River.
References
DCCEEW (2024). Strategy to improve the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/publications/strategy-improve-health-upper-murrumbidgeeDCCEEW (2025). Restoring the Upper Murrumbidgee River Program – program updates
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/policy/programs/water-reform/improving-health-upper-murrumbidgee/programDCCEEW (2025). Draft Upper Murrumbidgee drought operating framework – open for feedback
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/upper-murrumbidgee-drought-operating-framework-open-feedbackDCCEEW (2024). Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed – review process overview
[Referenced in strategy document]ARRC (2025). Meeting with SWIOID independent review panel – 1 October 2025
[Internal record]