MEDIA RELEASE
15 January 2026

After years of neglect and political sabotage, River Murray finally receives national protection with Critically Endangered Listing.

Conservation SA and the The Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance has welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to formally list the River Murray and its associated wetlands, floodplains and groundwater systems as a Critically Endangered Threatened Ecological Community under national environment law.

The Critically Endangered listing follows a landmark scientific assessment in 2013 followed by another assessment in 2026 by the independent Threatened Species Scientific Committee. That assessment, based on consultation with over 100 scientific experts and analysis of over 1000 references and reports, concluded that the River Murray downstream of the Darling River, and associated aquatic and floodplain systems, functions as a single, connected ecosystem and met the highest threshold for protection under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

Despite the strength of the science and an initial assessment in 2013, the original listing of Critically Endangered was disallowed by the Abbott Government in an unprecedented parliamentary move in 2013, with no competing scientific justification. It remains the only threatened ecological community ever overturned in this way.
“When Abbott overturned the listing it was a triumph of politics over science, and today we are finally seeing his sabotage undone.” said Conservation Council of SA Campaigns Coordinator, Char Nitschke.

“This historic listing recognises what First Nations, scientists, conservation groups and river communities have long warned: Australia’s greatest river system is in crisis, and without strong protection, faces continued ecological decline.”

“Over the last decade conditions across the River Murray system have only worsened.”

“Repeated toxic algal blooms, mass fish kills, declining flows, rising salinity and intensifying climate stress have pushed the system closer to collapse. Across the Murray-Darling Basin, 286 species are now threatened with extinction,” Ms Nitschke said

The scientific evidence shows the river’s decline is not simply a matter of water volume, although that decline has been drastic, but also of lost hydrological connectivity, long-term over-extraction, river regulation, salinisation, invasive species and the accelerating impacts of climate change. These pressures have disrupted critical ecological processes such as breeding, migration, nutrient cycling and recruitment of native species including Murray cod, freshwater mussels and floodplain forests.

Importantly, the listing restores a pathway for national environmental oversight, ensuring that developments, water extraction and land-use decisions that risk further harm to the river can no longer proceed without scrutiny - a critical shift ahead of the 10 year review into the Murray Darling Basin Plan in 2026.

“This listing is long overdue, and it is enormously significant with the public phase of the 10 year review into the Basin Plan about to kick off,” said Craig Wilkins, Co-National Director of the Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance.

“It recognises the River Murray is not just a water supply or economic resource, but a living ecosystem whose health underpins public health, regional livelihoods, cultural connection and community wellbeing.”

“We also welcome the formal listing of the wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes - one of the most spectacular wetland icons of the Murray-Darling Baaka river system.”

“We congratulate Minister Watt for this important reversal of a shameful chapter in Australia’s environmental history.”

“This listing is not the end of the work, but the beginning of a new chapter for the Murray-Darling Baaka river system, focused on restoration and repair.”

“Next steps include stronger water recovery, enforcement of environmental protections, long-term monitoring and meaningful investment in rehabilitation, from source to sea,” Mr Wilkins said.

Char Nitschke concluded: “Today’s recognition of the true state of the river is the first step.

“Restoring the river to health — for wildlife, communities and future generations — is the goal,”

“For South Australians, this is a hard-won recognition.”

“Through droughts, floods and political setbacks, communities here have consistently stood up for the river. This decision reflects years of advocacy, science and lived experience demonstrating the same thing: the Murray River is in trouble, and it needs protection.”

“We now look to the next Basin Plan to deliver ambitious, long term restoration and to reverse the perilous state of Australia’s greatest river,” said Nitschke.

RELEASE ENDS

Media contacts:
Char Nitschke
Campaigns Coordinator - Conservation SA
0466 598 710 | [email protected]

James Norman
Media and Content Manager - Environment Victoria
0451 291 775

The Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance is a national coalition focused on protecting the Murray-Darling Basin's rivers, wetlands, and wildlife. It comprises conservation councils in SA, NSW, Victoria, QLD and the ACT.