The Forgotten River: Saving The Upper Murrumbidgee

The Forgotten River is an ARRC-led advocacy campaign fighting for one of Australia's most neglected waterways: The Upper Murrumbidgee River.

Once a magnificent river defined by deep pools, cascading waterfalls and thriving fish populations, the Upper Murrumbidgee now receives less than 10% of its natural headwater flows, and as little as 1% in dry years. Tantangara Dam has operated this way since 1960, protected from Basin reforms by a legislative framework that explicitly excludes the Snowy Hydro Scheme. The consequences have been severe across biodiversity, water quality, cultural connection, and community wellbeing, most visibly in 2019 and 2025 when the river ran completely dry at Tharwa.

The campaign brings together researchers, government agencies, community groups, and everyday people to build the public and political will needed to change the rules that threaten its long-term future.

2022 - 2025:

Through sustained advocacy, the campaign secured the following commitments from the Australian Government:

• $55.6 million committed toward restoration, drought response, and governance reform

• $30 million specifically designated for contingency water releases from Tantangara Dam

• A formal SWIOID review initiated for the first time in more than two decades

• A national Upper Murrumbidgee River Health Strategy released

• A Drought Operating Framework developed to guide future water management

2026:

We mobilised our community to hold governments accountable on existing commitments and drive public participation in the SWIOID review:

• 136 submissions to the independent SWIOID review panel

• Two webinars attracting over 500 sign-ups combined

• A community mobilisation across our channels that reached over 100,000 people

• The Drought Operating Framework was signed

• Environmental water was released from Tantangara Dam

The SWIOID review is now a live, structured process with an Independent Review Panel expected to deliver recommendations to government by mid-2026. For the first time in more than two decades, the rules controlling flows from Tantangara Dam are being formally reconsidered, with river health, First Nations cultural values, community wellbeing, and water security all on the table alongside energy. ARRC CEO Dr Siwan Lovett sits on the Stakeholder Advisory Group, ensuring the campaign has a direct voice in shaping the outcome.

The Drought Operating Framework has been signed and an agreed operating protocol between the NSW Government and Snowy Hydro now establishes a clear pathway for drought contingency releases from Tantangara Dam. Environmental water has already been released under this framework. The $55.6 million committed in 2023 remains allocated and available. The tools, the funding, and the process are all in place.

What comes next depends on governments following through, and this community staying engaged to make sure they do.

The Forgotten River campaign is entirely unfunded, sustained by in-kind contributions through ARRC's charity work and the generosity of donors. Donate here.

This campaign is built on community. Those who attend webinars, submit to public reviews, write to their politicians, share our content, and support our mission make this work possible.

We extend our gratitude to the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach, the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Network, and Upper Murrumbidgee WaterWatch for their ongoing contributions to the health of this river.