The Federal Government has pledged up to $55.6 million to enhance the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee River.

Through various initiatives, the funding aims to address river health, drought conditions, and the implementation of key recommendations from the Snowy Water Inquiry.

The commitment covers several substantial allocations, including $20.3 million to be allocated through a Federation Funding Agreement with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and New South Wales (NSW) to support river health and monitoring initiatives.

Additionally, $5.3 million is designated for reviewing the outcomes of the Snowy Water Inquiry Implementation Deed, while another $30 million will be used to support additional water releases during drought-like conditions.

The government has also opened consultation on the Improving the Health of the Upper Murrumbidgee: Draft Strategy. 

This strategy outlines four key principles that will guide the implementation of the new initiatives:

Coordinated Delivery: Ensuring efforts are well-coordinated across different regions and stakeholders.

Building on Existing Initiatives: Leveraging current projects and expanding them in a strategic manner.

Transparency and Accountability: Maintaining clear and accountable processes throughout the implementation.

Collaboration with First Nations and Communities: Working closely with First Nations peoples and local communities to incorporate their knowledge and needs.

Consultation on the draft strategy is open until July 25, 2024. 

This period allows stakeholders to provide input on the proposed principles and implementation methods. The government says it encourages all interested parties to participate in the consultation process.

For more information and to provide feedback, stakeholders can visit the government’s consultation hub.