Sustaining Riverland Environments
After many years of decline in ecosystem health, the Australian and South Australian governments are taking real action to turn this around through the implementation of the Basin Plan and associated 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 will implement projects that will help achieve a healthier River Murray system, stronger communities and better recreation and profitable industries, while also stimulating jobs and economic growth in the Riverland region.
In November 2020, three ecologically important sites in the South Australian Riverland were identified for increased investment through the SRE Program 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 practical projects at these three sites will maximise the benefits from investment to date through the Basin Plan and local programs (such as the South Australian Riverland Floodplains Integrated Infrastructure Program and Riverine Recovery) to further increase the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental water use.
Next steps
The SRE Program will draw from the Master Plan Project, which is finalising a suite of proposed options informed through community consultation and investigations.
The finalised master plans will be a key milestone in the SRE Program, improve flexibility of river operations and maximise the future benefits of the Constraints Management Strategy.
Get involved
Mailing list
Sign up to our mailing list and receive notifications of upcoming engagement opportunities.
Community consultation
We are working with First Peoples, local communities and the broader South Australian community throughout the lifecycle of the SRE Program.
Current consultations
There are currently no active community consultations.
Please check this page regularly or sign up to our newsletter to receive notifications about upcoming consultations.
Past consultations
Contact us
Please send any questions to us at: DEW.SREProgram@sa.gov.au
News
2022
- 19 Jul: Options to improve the ecology of the Lock 3 Reach shortlisted for further investigation
- 16 May: Native fish survey nets large scale finding at Bookmark Creek
- 14 February: Detailed designs presented at latest Bookmark Creek community workshop
- 31 January: Riverland companies getting behind successful re-snagging program
- 24 January: Artist impressions for Bookmark Creek restoration
2021
- 22 November: Bookmark Creek community workshops move to design phase
- 12 October: Have your say on Master Plans for the Lock 3 Reach and Bookmark Creek
- 7 October: Reinstating natural habitat the focus of Bookmark Creek workshop
- 10 June: First Peoples workshop previews Master Plan process for Lock 3, Bookmark Creek, Weir Pool 3
2020
4 September: Basin investment flows to South Australia
Resources
- 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.