New hope of restoring the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee has arrived under the terms of an agreement reached between the Albanese Government and ACT Independent Senator David Pocock. Over the past year, the Australian River Restoration Centre’s Dr. Siwan Lovett and Andy Lowes have been working with politicians, local community groups, First Nations and government to raise awareness about the poor health of the Upper Murrumbidgee. This effort has now been rewarded, with Senator Pocock’s agreement ensuring the following:

  • a review of the Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed
  • a rewrite the Statement of Expectations, which governs Snowy Hydro operations
  • $20m for catchment health initiatives
  • $30m to purchase water in times of drought
  • $500,000 for First Nations to genuinely have their say in the ongoing management of the river

Read the full press release here

The Upper Murrumbidgee still needs more water, but we are hopeful that this agreement sets in motion the ability for these flows to be provided in future years.

Dr. Siwan Lovett (left) and Andy Lowes (right) speak about The Forgotten River at Parliament House.

This agreement represents significant and meaningful change for the health of the Upper ‘Bidgee, and the culmination of over two years of work here at the ARRC through our Forgotten River campaign. Whilst this is a big win in securing the health and future of our beloved river, there is still a long road ahead in restoring the river to a state in which it, and all of its inhabitants, can thrive.

Both photos are of the Upper Murrumbidgee River, upstream of Tharwa Bridge. The photo on the left shows the river with flowing waters, while the photo on the right shows the river unrecognisable and dried to algae-choked pools in December 2019.