Refreshing Rivers

Working with landholders to improve waterway health across the Murray-Riverina region of New South Wales

What is a ‘refreshed’ river?

Landholders we are working with share their responses:

"A river that is able to support a vibrant community of plants and animals, internal and external to the river."

"A river that is flowing freely, with a large and healthy biodiversity and nice diverse vegetation."

"A river that is allowed to move throughout the landscape because it’s not hemmed in, it’s protected, either by fencing or because of its location from the impacts of stock and feral animals."

"A river that is able to provide the cultural connection that people need and also socially enables people to feel good when they walk amongst it and can connect with it."

"A river that sustains the environment, the plants and animals that live in and around it."

The Refreshing Rivers Program

Our Vision: Improving waterway health through meaningful partnerships and collaboration

Our waterways have enormous ecological, cultural and economic significance and are the lifeblood of our land and communities. They are vital to agriculture and to the survival of threatened plants and animals.

Agriculture is our largest land use, and land management practices can have a significant impact on waterway health. There have been many successes over the past thirty years as landholders work to improve waterway health, but some challenges require an ongoing, collaborative effort, and that’s where Refreshing Rivers comes in.

The Refreshing Rivers Program works with and supports landholders. Together we can improve our waterways, bring back native fish and birds, and look after places for people and nature alongside productive landscapes.

Learn about Refreshing Rivers - a collaborative 10-year program to improve catchment management and waterway health across the Murray-Riverina region of NSW.

Take action in your Target Area

We are working with landholders in the Murray-Riverina region of New South Wales (NSW) across three Target Areas: Central Billabong, Upper Billabong and the Riverina Highlands.

Click on the map to visit your region and find out how you can get involved in improving waterway health.

Central Billabong Upper Billabong Riverina Highlands

Enhancing Our Waterways for Generations to Come

Our waterways are essential to the health of our environment, communities, and economy, sustaining agriculture, supporting diverse wildlife, and holding deep cultural significance. The Refreshing Rivers Program is partnering with over 1,600 landholders to restore and protect waterway health across the Murray-Riverina region. This community-driven initiative values local input to shape Waterway Management Plans and on-the-ground actions.

Through personalised support from Project Officers, landholders can identify the best strategies for their property, explore new opportunities, and diversify their income. Participants are also rewarded for their ongoing and future efforts to safeguard and enhance waterways, ensuring a healthier environment for generations to come.

Discover the natural value of your land!

Book your free Natural Capital Profile with the Refreshing Rivers team

Recognising and valuing your farm’s natural assets is a great first step towards making informed farm management decisions that can improve your productivity and profitability while also promoting biodiversity and the health of waterways on your property.

The Refreshing Rivers Program is offering a free service to work with landholders to better understand natural capital on their property.

Learn more Submit Expression of Interest

July 1, 2025

Riverina Highlands

Rare Plant Propogation workshop

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this workshop will teach you the techniques for propagating one of our regions rarest native plants, the Tumut Grevillea. In doing so you will be part of a program assisting with the recovery of this critically endangered plant.

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June 13, 2025

Riverina Highlands

Tumut Wetlands Restoration Continues

A new chain of hotels has just been established in Tumut, but their guests will be fish!

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June 10, 2025

Riverina Highlands

Caring for Country in the Riverina Highlands

We have been working with the Brungle Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) within the Riverina Highlands. Take a look at the recent activities that have been undertaken and the resulting impact on the local environment to improve the health and biodiversity of waterways.

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June 9, 2025

Riverina Highlands

Low cost solutions to restore vegetation in and along waterways

Come along and hear from speakers from LLS and Ozfish as they explore this issue and provide examples of a number of low cost solutions to improve your waterway

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