The Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project (VMFRP) will get much needed water back onto high-value floodplains along the Murray River. Without this water, these iconic landscapes will continue to decline – along with the many native trees, animals and plants that depend on them.

The Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project (VMFRP) will get much needed water back onto nine high-value floodplains along the Murray River. Without this water, these iconic landscapes will continue to decline – along with the many native trees, animals and plants that depend on them.

Floodplains and wetlands have been increasingly disconnected from the Murray River over the years with population growth and river regulation. The VMFRP plans to remove blockages that stop water flowing into creeks and implement options to manage water effectively and efficiently on the floodplain.

This water will bring new life and help these ecologically significant floodplains to survive and cope with future dry conditions and drought, so they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

The VMFRP is being implemented as part of Victoria’s obligations under the Murray–Darling Basin Plan in partnership with Lower Murray Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, Mallee Catchment Management Authority, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. The VMFRP is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Have your say on the Belsar-Yungera and Hattah Lakes North EES

Public comment is now invited on the Environment Effects Statement (EES): Belsar-Yungera and Hattah Lakes North Floodplain Restoration Projects.
Grey-crowned BabblerChris Tzaros@Birds Bush and Beyond

Read all about it in the Floodplain Babbler!

The latest edition of the Floodplain Babbler is now online. Named after the noisy and gregarious Babbler bird, this quarterly newsletter will keep you updated on our planned work to restore nine much-loved Murray River floodplains.
Wiltipoll sheep

Floodplain heroes – Bringing biodiversity back to a Gunbower farm

Our floodplain heroes series features local people doing amazing work to restore floodplain spaces along the Murray River. Meet John Toll, a fourth-generation farmer bringing biodiversity back to a Gunbower farm by planting native trees and vegetation and creating a fully functional wetland.

Environmental assessment packages

Timing and funding constraints (including COVID-19 pandemic and flooding) mean the VMFRP must refocus on Central sites.

The VMFRP must complete a rigorous Victorian and Commonwealth regulatory approvals process but given these unforeseen impacts it is not possible for all sites to be completed by June 2024.

The Victorian Government has advised it remains committed to delivering the VMFRP.

EES: Belsar-Yungera and Hattah Lakes North Projects

Minister’s assessment delivered.

ER: Vinifera and Nyah Projects

Ministers assessment delivered.

ER: Burra Creek Project

Ministers assessment delivered.

ER: Guttrum-Benwell and Gunbower Projects

EES: Lindsay Island and Wallpolla Island Projects