Governments Failed to Deliver $160M River Improvements, Report Reveals
A major independent review has exposed that two state governments have drastically underdelivered more than $160 million in infrastructure measures promised to improve river health in the northern Murray-Darling basin. The report, published by federal inspector general of water compliance Troy Grant, found that New South Wales and Queensland governments "severely underdelivered" on commitments made eight years ago under the "northern basin toolkit" program.
Critical Infrastructure Failures in NSW and Queensland
The review identified multiple specific failures across both states. In New South Wales, the government failed to secure any private land access needed to improve water flows over floodplains in the Gwydir region. This area recently saw scientists scrambling to rescue turtles from dried-up wetlands. Additionally, a separate NSW project to install fish migration passages delivered just 64 kilometers (3%) of the original 2,135-kilometer target, which was later reduced to 589 kilometers.
In Queensland, promised refurbishments and upgrades to weirs never proceeded beyond the feasibility stage. Grant described the NSW government's delivery of fishways as "abysmal" and compared the entire northern basin toolkit program to "a plane full of passengers being flown without a pilot."
Environmental Consequences and Scientific Concerns
Professor Jamie Pittock from the Australian National University, who chairs the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, expressed grave concerns about the environmental impact. "The failure to implement what was promised means that turtles, fish and wetlands die," Pittock stated. He further criticized NSW as "the recalcitrant misfit failing to deliver for river conservation."
The toolkit program was originally established to compensate for a 2018 federal decision that reduced environmental water allocations for the region from 390 billion liters to 320 billion liters annually. Environmental flows are crucial water releases from dams and tributaries designed to restore river and ecosystem health.
Government Responses and Accountability Issues
NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged the challenges, stating that "very little progress was made under the former government" but affirmed commitment to "deliver better environmental outcomes." The federal government committed $166 million over the program's life, with a completion deadline set for the end of this year.
Grant's report included recommendations for improved accountability and transparency, calling it a "wake-up call" as broader reviews of the Murray-Darling basin plan commence. Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young noted that "millions of dollars being splashed around" had not gone toward river protection.
Broader Implications for Water Management
Emma Carmody, commissioner for the River Murray South Australia, suggested that funds spent on the failed program could have been redirected toward buybacks and other initiatives known to return crucial environmental flows. The Albanese government spokesperson indicated they are considering the recommendations, emphasizing the "shared responsibility and shared accountability across all Basin jurisdictions."
This scrutiny follows recent criticism of WaterNSW for abruptly stopping environmental flows to Gwydir wetlands, resulting in wildlife deaths. The report raises fundamental questions about government trust and delivery on environmental promises affecting one of Australia's most vital river systems.
