Aljoes Creek project fears

The project forms part of the broader Murray-Darling Basin environmental watering programs and, specifically, Murray Irrigation’s Restoring Murray Waterways (RMW) initiative, one of Australia’s largest targeted environmental watering projects.

Funded by the Australian Government in partnership with NSW, RMW uses Murray Irrigation’s gravity-fed supply network to deliver environmental water to creeks and wetlands that would otherwise only receive flows during high Murray River events.

Under the proposal, managed releases of environmental water would be diverted into Aljoes Creek, a waterway that is typically dry except during flood events.

The creek runs past residential properties, through bushland and the Deniliquin Golf Club, and enters the Edward River near the Mulwala Escape.

Locals say the proposal was initially presented at a community meeting in May last year as a largely positive initiative, promising environmental rejuvenation, improved creek health and potential recreational opportunities such as kayaking. Residents were told further meetings and ongoing communication would follow.

However, community members say they heard little after that meeting, despite assurances they would be kept informed.

“We were told there would be more consultation and that we’d be updated,” Aljoes Creek-frontage landholder Peter Nankivell said.

“That never happened, and now it feels like decisions have already been made.”

Residents say they have since received conflicting information about how much water would be released and for how long. While early discussions mentioned large initial flows, later advice suggested smaller releases of around 60 megalitres a day, delivered intermittently over periods that could stretch across several months of the year.

One of the main concerns is that intermittent flows would leave stagnant pools once water is cut off, increasing the risk of mosquito breeding and associated disease.

“We’re worried about stagnant water, blackwater events and mosquitoes,” said Jen Edwards, another resident.

“There’s no benefit for us, but plenty of downside.”

Access and emergency management have also emerged as major issues. Residents say they were initially told box culverts would be installed to maintain crossings into adjoining National Park land, preserving access for fire trucks, ambulances and park users.

They now believe those crossings may not be constructed, potentially cutting off emergency access.

“If there’s a bushfire or medical emergency, vehicles may not be able to get through,” Mrs Edwards said. “That puts residents, campers and the wider community at risk.”

The group has also questioned the environmental merit and cost of the project, which they estimate could be several million dollars. They argue the creek has historically been dry and that artificially wetting it for short periods runs counter to sound environmental management.

“This isn’t restoring a natural wetland,” Mr Nankivell said. “It’s putting water into a system that isn’t designed to stay wet, then letting it dry out again.”

Residents say this is the first time a project of this type has been proposed through a residential area, noting that previous similar projects were carried out on private farmland with landholder support and infrastructure upgrades.

Murray Irrigation say Aljoes Creek is included in Stage Five of the Restoring Murray Waterways program, with final scoping documents submitted to government at the end of January.

Final approval of selected sites is expected by March, with Stage Five, covering 11 creeks and 30 wetlands, due for completion by the end of 2026.

A spokesperson said earlier stages of RMW have delivered strong environmental outcomes, including improved water quality, healthier riparian vegetation, habitat for waterbirds and frogs, and better connectivity between remnant pools and rivers.

In 2025, the project was officially recognised as contributing to the Australian Government’s 605GL water recovery target.

The spokesperson said the frequency and volume of flows into Aljoes Creek would ultimately be determined by federal and state environmental water managers each year, based on environmental conditions.

MIL also says it has hosted consultation events, both group and one-on-one, with landholders along Aljoes Creek, and has extended consultation to neighbouring properties and community members.

It has also engaged third parties such as the Rural Fire Service, and that it has received “a majority of overwhelming support” from stakeholders including First Nations groups, the Deniliquin Golf Club and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

“We appreciate the concern of neighbouring properties to Aljoes Creek, and we thank them for their feedback,” the spokesperson said.

“We commit to providing the community with an update when further specific details on locations and construction timelines are available after final notifications have been made in March.”

The residents say if the project cannot be delivered as initially proposed, or a suitable model agreed to by landholders, they don’t want it at all.

Their preferred outcome is for the plan to be abandoned entirely, arguing that maintaining a dry creek is the safest option for access, fire management and community wellbeing.