Constraints relaxation in the NSW southern connected Murray Darling Basin
About constraints
In the Murray-Darling Basin, there are range of constraints or barriers currently restricting the flexibility of the use of water for the environment including physical structures, river management practices and operational limits for river flows.
As a result, rivers connect to their floodplains less often than is needed to maintain healthy river, wetland and floodplain ecosystems.
During prolonged dry periods this can have catastrophic impacts on the health of native flora and fauna that rely on river and wetland flows to survive and thrive.
About the Reconnecting River Country Program
The Reconnecting River Country Program, which re-imagines the previous Constraints Measures Program, aims to achieve a balance of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes across southern NSW by improving wetland and floodplain connectivity.
The program focuses on relaxing or removing some of the constraints or physical barriers impacting the delivery of water for the environment in the following areas in the southern-connected Murray–Darling Basin (the basin):
- Hume to Yarrawonga (Murray River)
- Yarrawonga to Wakool (Murray River)
- Murrumbidgee River.
The program is part of the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM), which aims to achieve improved environmental outcomes using existing water for the environment.
Find out more about the program.