Belsar-Yungera

Belsar–Yungera is a large and ecologically important Murray River floodplain, supporting wetlands, forests and habitat for threatened native species.

Latest news

The Belsar-Yungera VMFRP project received planning approval under the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic) in July 2023. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is being prepared for the Belsar-Yungera site in consultation with Traditional Owners and specialist consultants.

About

Belsar–Yungera is a large and ecologically important Murray River floodplain, supporting wetlands, forests and habitat for threatened native species. Its large floodplain complex is made up of islands, creeks, wetlands and lakes formed by anabranches of the Murray River, including Narcooyia, Bonyaricall and Yungera creeks.

The floodplain supports river red gum forests, black box woodlands, lignum shrubland and floodplain lakes, providing habitat for a wide range of native wildlife. These include waterbirds, frogs, bats and native fish, as well as threatened species such as the growling grass frog, Murray cod, regent parrot and white-bellied sea eagle.

Water for the environment will help regenerate native trees, grasses and understorey plants, stabilise sandy soils, and restore habitat for wildlife that depends on floods to survive. The park contains two large ephemeral wetlands, Lakes Powell and Carpul, that provide important habitat and breeding grounds for many species of waterbirds.

Belsar–Yungera is a special place and holds deep cultural, spiritual and historical significance for Traditional Owners. Protecting cultural heritage is a key consideration in the project’s design and delivery.

Project milestones

 

Project features

The project proposes new and upgraded floodplain infrastructure that will work with high river flows and water for the environment to improve inundation across parts of Belsar-Yungera.

Planned elements include:

  • Large and small gated structures (regulators) to control water movement into creeks, wetlands and floodplain areas
  • A fishway to support fish movement and connectivity
  • Containment banks to help retain water on the floodplain
  • An underground pipeline linking Lakes Powell and Carpul to temporary pump locations
  • Temporary pump hardstands to deliver environmental water during extended dry periods
  • Use of existing tracks and disturbed areas where possible to minimise impacts

Refer to the Belsar-Yungera map for a site map depicting the location of infrastructure.

Location

The project site for Belsar-Yungera is located in north-west Victoria, between Mildura and Swan Hill, approximately 20–30 km south-east of Robinvale.

Project benefits

  • 2,374 hectares

    Of lakes and floodplain targeted for improved ecological health

  • 212 rare and threatened species

    To benefit from improved habitat

  • Economic benefits

    Supporting eco-tourism and regional businesses

  • Improved tree health

    Providing hollows that birds, bats and reptiles depend on for nesting and shelter

  • Cultural significance

    Aboriginal cultural significance acknowledged and respected

  • Healthy landscapes

    Supporting long-term sustainability and community wellbeing

Planning and compliance

The Belsar-Yungera project received planning approval under the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic) in July 2023. The Environment Effects Statement, together with a draft Planning Scheme Amendment was on public exhibition for six weeks between October and November 2022. A public hearing was held in January and February 2023, and the Standing Inquiry and Advisory Committee referred the project to the Victorian Minister for Planning to make a final determination (to approve or reject the proposal). The Minister’s assessment found that while some adverse impacts will occur during construction, VMFRP works will yield significant biodiversity improvements and help this floodplain to function more like it once did. As part of the conditions of approval, the construction and operation of the project must comply with the conditions set out in the Minister’s Assessment of the project.

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is being prepared for the Belsar-Yungera site in consultation with Traditional Owners and specialist consultants. The plan assesses the potential impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage and outlines protections before, during and after construction. These plans are required under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.).

Proposed construction

Construction would be guided by approved environmental and cultural heritage management plans, with controls in place to protect vegetation, wildlife, water quality and culturally significant areas. Works would be carefully planned and monitored in collaboration with project delivery partners to minimise impacts during construction. Where possible, construction would take place on existing access tracks and areas that have already been disturbed.

Construction impacts would be monitored before, during and after works. Long-term ecological monitoring would continue after construction is complete to track the recovery of the floodplain and inform future watering decisions.

Proposed operations

Water would be delivered through a combination of natural inflows and by pumping using water for the environment. Different watering approaches will be used depending on river levels, climatic outlook, and floodplain condition. In some years, water may flow naturally onto the floodplain. In others, infrastructure will allow water to be held for longer or delivered to areas that would otherwise remain dry.

This flexible approach allows the project to respond to changing conditions while using water efficiently.

Project documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are floodplain restoration works required at Belsar-Yungera?
Over time, the Murray River has been regulated with weirs, dams and levees to support communities, agriculture and industry. While this has delivered many benefits, it has reduced the frequency, duration and extent of natural flooding required to keep landscapes healthy. At Belsar–Yungera, flooding now occurs far less often. In some areas, dry periods now last far longer than floodplain plants and animals can tolerate, reducing the floodplain’s ability to recover from drought and increasing vulnerability to climate change. Narcooyia Creek has also been modified over time to support irrigation delivery, further altering natural flow patterns across the floodplain. While targeted environmental watering has delivered local ecological benefits in recent years, much of the floodplain remains difficult to reach under current conditions. Restoring more natural flooding patterns will help improve floodplain health, strengthen ecological resilience and support cultural, environmental and recreational values into the future.
What happens if the floodplains are not restored?
The Murray River and its floodplains are part of an interconnected ecosystem that depends on natural wet and dry cycles to stay healthy and keep the river rich with nutrients. Reduced flooding has increased stress on floodplain vegetation, weakened tree canopies and reduced habitat and food for wildlife. Without intervention, these important Australian landscapes will continue to decline, placing biodiversity, cultural values and regional communities at risk. If we do not intervene, these landscapes may decline beyond the point of rejuvenation.
Why was Belsar-Yungera chosen?
The Belsar-Yungera project will protect and restore floodplain ecosystem biodiversity values, function and habitat components, including for rare and threatened species. The terrestrial flora of Belsar-Yungera is diverse with over 630 flora species, of which 124 are of conservation significance. On the southern limit of the Belsar-Yungera floodplain lie two large ephemeral wetlands, Lakes Powell and Carpul, home to listed wetland-dependent birds such as the white-bellied sea eagle. These floodplains provide habitat for several threatened species, including the Murray river turtle and growling grass frog. The Belsar-Yungera site holds great significance to First Nations people and is highly valued for activities including camping, fishing, canoeing, trail-bike riding and horse riding.
How does the Belsar-Yungera project fit within the broader VMFRP program?
Belsar-Yungera is one part of a package of works being delivered in Victoria under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Floodplain infrastructure is designed to address specific ecological outcomes at each site. The decision to water a site is informed by floodplain conditions and is part of a holistic approach to keeping the Murray River and its floodplains healthy. Planning and delivery of environmental water operations is coordinated via catchment management authorities, in consultation with stakeholders including Traditional Owners, land managers, water authorities and the local community, and informed by the results of ecological monitoring programs.
How will water be delivered to the Belsar-Yungera floodplain?
Water will be delivered through a combination of natural inflows and managed temporary flows. Decisions are based on seasonal conditions, river flows and monitoring of floodplain health, with flooding planned in advance to support ecological outcomes while managing safety, access and water quality risks.
How do we know the project will work?
The VMFRP partners and specialist engineers and scientists have been working together on the design since 2012. The project has undergone an extensive State and Australian Government environmental assessment process to determine potential impacts and benefits. Similar infrastructure delivered under The Living Murray project has shown that reconnecting rivers and floodplains improves ecological health, providing evidence that the works will deliver lasting benefits.
How are local Traditional Owners involved?
Traditional Owners have cared for and sustainably managed the cultural landscapes of the Murray River and its floodplains for thousands of years. The VMFRP projects are considered culturally significant, and each contains a number of registered heritage sites. Traditional Owners have been involved with the VMFRP since 2014, and extensive work has been undertaken on Country to understand Traditional Owner land and water aspirations to guide watering of the floodplain. The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 describes a legislative pathway for protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria which includes detailed on-ground assessments to document cultural heritage sites and consultation with Traditional Owners on the proposed works and their potential impacts. The outcomes of assessments, along with proposed measures for protection, are documented in a Cultural Heritage Management Plan.
How are cultural heritage values being protected?
The VMFRP projects are located on land that that holds significant Aboriginal cultural value and includes places of registered cultural heritage significance. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been prepared for the Belsar-Yungera site in consultation with Traditional Owners and specialist consultants. The plan assesses the potential impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage and outlines protections before, during and after construction. These plans are required under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.)
What happens if cultural heritage is discovered during construction?
Cultural Heritage Management Plans set out the process for managing sites of cultural heritage that may be discovered in construction. This includes notifying Traditional Owners.
Who is responsible for the project?
The VMFRP is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the Victorian Government, Lower Murray Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, Mallee and North Central Catchment Management Authorities and Parks Victoria.

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Contact the project team

If you have questions about Belsar-Yungera, or would like to provide feedback, please email the project team. We’ll put you in touch with the right person.