Sustaining Riverland Environments
After many years of decline in ecosystem health, the Australian and South Australian governments are taking action to change this via a range of initiatives and environmental works programs.
Announced in September 2020 as part of the Australian Government’s Murray-Darling Communities Investment Package, the $37.6 million Sustaining Riverland Environments (SRE) program implements projects focused on improving the condition of the lower River Murray channel, floodplain and wetland ecosystems, with the aim of recovering native fish populations and providing flow on benefits for SA Riverland communities. The program will help achieve a healthier River Murray system for stronger communities, better recreation and more profitable industries, while also stimulating jobs and economic growth in the Riverland region.
In November 2020, 3 ecologically important South Australian Riverland sites were identified for increased investment as part of SRE. The objectives of the 3 site projects are to:
- improve environmental outcomes in the Lock 3 Reach with river infrastructure and operational investments
- restore natural river patterns in the Lock 6 Reach
- reinstate natural habitat conditions in the Bookmark Creek Complex.
Delivering these projects will further increase the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental water use and maximise benefits from investments via the Basin Plan and other local programs such as the South Australian Riverland Floodplains Integrated Infrastructure Program (SARFIIP) and Riverine Recovery Program (RRP).
These projects will be managed alongside existing projects, including the South Australian Constraints Measures project and annual environmental water planning.
More Information
Get involved
We are committed to working with First Nations people, local communities and the broader South Australian community throughout the life of the SRE program.
Subscribe to our email list for updates and SRE engagement opportunities.
- Email us at dew.sreprogram@sa.gov.au
- Call the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) on (08) 8204 1910.
Department for Environment and Water (DEW) social media
Resources
SRE project pages
Weir pool manipulation
Other resources
- SA River Murray Flow Report
- Constraints Management Strategy
- Murray-Darling Basin Authority
- Murray-Darling Communities Investment Package
- MDBA Water Recovery Strategy
- South Australian Riverland Floodplains Integrated Infrastructure Program (SARFIIP)
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The Sustaining Riverland Environments Program is a $37.6 million program funded by the Australian Government through the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and delivered by the Government of South Australia through the Department for Environment and Water.
