Continuing programs and initiatives

This program provides grants to communities affected by water recovery actions under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Three rounds of funding have been completed.

Find out more about the MDB Economic Development Program

This program funds communities for projects that improve the health and of rivers and wetlands across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Two rounds of funding have been completed.

Find out more about the Healthy Rivers Program

This program delivered funding to upgrade water infrastructure in the Murray–Darling Basin in return for additional environmental water.

Find out more about the Water Efficiency Program

This project is designed to improve understanding of the groundwater system and water balance in the Great Artesian Basin.

Find out more about the GAB groundwater project

The objective of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Recovery Project is to assist the South Australian Government in managing the site for ecological health and to support the implementation and objectives of the CLLMM Long-term recovery plan on the South Australian Government Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website. The objectives of the long-term plan are to provide a clear direction for the future management of the CLLMM region as a healthy, productive and resilient Wetland of International Importance.

In addition to completed early works projects ($36.9 million), the Australian Government is contributing up to $123.3 million funding for management actions under the CLLMM Recovery Project.

The Australian Government has committed $32.6 million to assist the South Australian (SA) Government in improving natural water flow patterns in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges Prescribed Water Resources Area (EMLR WRA). This will be achieved through bypassing low flows at up to 1,100 strategically located dams and water course diversions in the Angas and Bremer catchments in the EMLR WRA, and the Marne Saunders catchment in the Marne Saunders Prescribed WRA.

Environmental benefits that are supported through bypassing low flows in the Angas, Bremer and Marne Saunders river systems include:

• increases in native fauna and flora, particularly fish and amphibians; and
• improvements in water quality in the immediate project area and downstream.

The project will also support the agricultural and tourism industry to remain sustainable.

For more information on the project visit the South Australian Natural Resources Flows for the Future web site.

The Australian Government provided $19.6 million to the NSW Government towards the purchase of Toorale Station, on the junction of the Warrego and Darling rivers in north-west NSW in September 2008. In return for the Australian Government funding, NSW transferred 25.5 GL of water entitlements to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder for environmental watering purposes.

Toorale has been gazetted as a national park and state conservation area since 2010.

The Australian Government provided up to $85 million for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to conduct a 2-phase project to improve water quality in ACT waterways allowing residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy the benefits of healthy, functioning rivers and lakes and contribute significantly to improved water quality in the Murray-Darling Basin.

See Healthy Waterways on the ACT Government Environment and Planning Directorate—Environment website for details.

The Australian Government has committed $8 million to the Goyder Institute for Water Research Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Hub over 4 years from 2022–23. This grant program uses research and community engagement to support the management of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth and the critical environmental, cultural, social, and economic values of this region into the future.

Find out more about the Goyder Institute for Water Research Program.