The NSW Government is investigating a range of initiatives for the Murrumbidgee River system. These measures are part of the Better Bidgee program.
Following the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in April 2021, the department’s Water Group rescoped the Yanco Offtake Sustainable Diversion Limits Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) project and investigated options that could be supported by the community.
Following the launch of the program we looked closely at the feedback received from the community over a number of years, particularly regarding the need to improve connectivity, environmental, cultural and community outcomes.
We know these issues can only be addressed by taking a holistic, system-wide approach to water infrastructure planning and operations, working in tandem with changes in water policy and strategy. We also know that feedback from our stakeholders and communities is critical to ensuring any initiatives we progress are the best options for delivering outcomes.
A consultation and engagement program will enable us to work side-by-side with communities to investigate solutions to create a Better Bidgee and outcomes for communities and the environment.
Options are currently being investigated, most of which are in very early planning stages. Community feedback and input will play a crucial role in shaping which initiatives are progressed, and what these initiatives look like, to deliver a Better Bidgee.
Initiatives being proposed
We are proposing a range of new and existing measures to deliver outcomes that we want to ensure are acceptable to our communities. Infrastructure improvements and operating rules are being considered to make the management of the Murrumbidgee River system more flexible, so the ecological function of its rivers and floodplains can be maintained and improved, and sustainable local communities, agriculture and industries are supported.
A key focus for the Better Bidgee program is improving native fish access to more than 1,000 km of the Murrumbidgee system by installing fishways at key blockages, addressing cold water pollution discharges from large dams, and installing screens on pumps and diversions that will save tens of millions of fish annually.
The key components/projects being investigated include:
Reconnecting the Murrumbidgee (fish passage)
- Constructing fish passage infrastructure at the five main weirs in the Murrumbidgee system, including:
- Berembed Weir
- Gogeldrie Weir
- Hay Weir
- Maude Weir
- Redbank Weir.
- view the Reconnecting the Bidgee (fish passage) package fact sheet (PDF, 218.03 KB).
Addressing cold water pollution
- Installing infrastructure, which could include compressors, pipelines and diffusers, to reduce cold water pollution for more than 510 km downstream of Burrinjuck and Blowering dams to help the recovery of native fish populations and improve water quality.
Fish friendly water extraction
- Installing fish screens at irrigation offtakes and pumps along the Murrumbidgee River, to reduce fish losses and reduce cleaning costs to farmers while increasing on-farm efficiency.
Gooragool and Mantangary lagoonsÂ
- Potentially purchasing 1,200 hectares of land, including the Mantangary Lagoon, to improve native fish passage, secure vital refuge and breeding habitat for native animals and enable First Nations communities to manage land and water.
Balranald Weir/Yanga Lake
- Modifying the existing Balranald Weir to facilitate targeted filling of Yanga Lake and refurbishing, upgrading or decommissioning structures within Yanga National Park to direct water to Yanga Lake.
Better Bidgee recorded webinar
Learn more about the program with this recording of the information session from 8 November 2021.
Questions and answers
Answers to the questions asked by stakeholders during the Better Bidgee program webinar series in December 2021.
Stakeholder engagement
Communities will be at the heart of the Better Bidgee program, and we are committed to working in partnership to develop the program to deliver outcomes, with broad community support.
We will provide numerous opportunities for local communities and stakeholders to have their say on the design of the program and throughout the development and delivery phases of any projects. This feedback will be a key input into decision making and will help shape the program’s future design.
We are also keen to hear any alternative or additional ideas local communities may have to deliver economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for local communities and the environment across the Murrumbidgee system.
We will contact local communities to discuss the proposed ideas making up the Better Bidgee program. Upcoming engagement and partnering opportunities will be listed on this webpage and also on our stakeholder engagement page.
Engagement with First Nations people
We recognise and acknowledge the unique relationship and deep Connection to Country that First Nations people have as the Traditional Owners and first peoples of Australia.
The wisdom and experience of local First Nations communities will play a critical role in informing the development and approach to the Better Bidgee program. We have a dedicated engagement team who will guide our engagement with these communities, and we look forward to working with them to deliver real, tangible and widely accepted outcomes.
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au