What is the northern basin toolkit program?

The northern basin toolkit program was an agreement between NSW, Queensland, and federal governments to deliver infrastructure and policy measures to improve river health without increasing water allocations.

What were the findings of the independent review on the northern basin toolkit?

The review found that NSW and Queensland governments severely underdelivered on promised infrastructure and engineering measures under the program, with the environment and taxpayers being the losers.

What specific infrastructure failures were identified in the review?

In NSW, a fish passage project delivered only 3% of its target, and a project for wetland water flows saw minimal progress. Queensland's promised weir upgrades did not advance past the feasibility stage.

Home / Environment / NSW & Queensland fail on $160m river health promise

NSW & Queensland fail on $160m river health promise

22 Apr

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Summary

States severely underdelivered on $160m+ in river health infrastructure.
NSW's fish passage project delivered only 3% of its target.
Queensland's promised weir upgrades never progressed beyond feasibility.

NSW & Queensland fail on $160m river health promise

A major independent review has revealed that the New South Wales and Queensland governments have significantly failed to deliver on over $160 million in promised infrastructure measures aimed at improving river health in the northern Murray-Darling basin. These commitments were made eight years ago as part of the "northern basin toolkit" program, intended to compensate for reduced environmental water allocations.

The review, conducted by federal inspector general of water compliance Troy Grant, found "severe underdelivery" on these measures. In New South Wales, a project to install fish passages has only completed 64km, a mere 3% of its original target. Another NSW initiative to improve water flows to wetlands has seen minimal progress beyond basic riverbed stabilization.