Underperformance in River Health Initiatives in the Murray-Darling Basin

An independent review has revealed that the New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland governments have significantly failed to deliver over $160 million in promised infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing river health in the northern Murray-Darling Basin. This underperformance comes eight years after the commitments were made under the "northern basin toolkit" program.

The Guardian

The report, conducted by federal inspector general of water compliance Troy Grant, highlights that the NSW government has not secured any private land access necessary for improving water flows in the Gwydir region, which has recently faced severe ecological distress, including the rescue of turtles from dried wetlands. Additionally, a project intended to facilitate fish migration has only achieved 64 kilometers of its original 2,135-kilometer target, later revised to 589 kilometers. In Queensland, planned refurbishments of weirs have not progressed beyond the feasibility stage.

The Guardian

The northern basin toolkit was established to implement infrastructure and policy measures that would improve river health without increasing water extraction. This initiative was a response to a 2018 federal decision that reduced the environmental water allocation for the region from 390 billion liters to 320 billion liters.

The Guardian

Troy Grant stated, “Quite simply the environment is the loser along with the taxpayer,” emphasizing the detrimental impact of the government's failure to fulfill its commitments. NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged the report's findings, attributing the lack of progress to challenges faced under the previous government. She expressed a commitment to improving environmental outcomes moving forward.

The Guardian

The report has drawn criticism from various stakeholders. Sarah Hanson-Young, the Greens environment spokesperson, remarked that the findings illustrate a failure to protect the river despite significant financial investments. Emma Carmody, commissioner for the River Murray South Australia, suggested that funds spent on the program could have been better allocated to initiatives that would restore crucial environmental flows.

The Guardian

The NSW government has faced intense scrutiny, particularly following a decision by WaterNSW to halt environmental flows to the Gwydir wetlands, resulting in the deaths of various wildlife, including turtles and waterbirds. Critics have labeled NSW as a "recalcitrant misfit" in river conservation efforts, highlighting a pattern of inadequate action.

The Guardian

While the report indicates severe underdelivery on infrastructure projects, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the reasons behind these failures or the specific impacts on local ecosystems beyond the immediate examples cited. Additionally, the Queensland government has not publicly commented on the findings, leaving a gap in accountability.

The Guardian

The Albanese government is currently reviewing the recommendations from Grant's report, which may influence the broader Murray-Darling Basin Plan and water act reviews. Grant has called for increased accountability and transparency in the program, suggesting that the current management resembles “a plane full of passengers being flown without a pilot.”

The Guardian

• “Quite simply the environment is the loser along with the taxpayer,” — Troy Grant, Federal Inspector General of Water Compliance

The Guardian

• “really disappointing to see that NSW is yet again the recalcitrant misfit failing to deliver for river conservation” — Pittock, Environmental Commentator

The Guardian

• “The Northern Basin Toolkit program was established in 2019, with very little progress made under the former government,” — Rose Jackson, NSW Water Minister

The Guardian

• “makes it abundantly clear that despite millions of dollars being splashed around, it has not gone to protecting the river” — Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Environment Spokesperson

The Guardian

• “Emma Carmody, commissioner for the River Murray South Australia, said the money that had been spent on the program “is money that they could put towards buybacks and other initiatives which we know will return crucial environmental flows to our rivers and wetlands across the basin”.” — Emma Carmody, Commissioner for the River Murray South Australia

The Guardian