MEDIA RELEASE
15th January 2026
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has welcomed today’s decision by the Australian Government to list the Lower Murray River System as Critically Endangered, saying the announcement confirms what communities and scientists have warned for years.: Australia’s greatest river system is in serious trouble.
The listing covers the River Murray downstream of the Darling River and its connected aquatic floodplain systems, including the Coorong Lagoon.
The decision follows independent scientific advice from Australia’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee and a comprehensive assessment process. This will strengthen environmental protections and will strengthen federal environmental oversight for future decisions affecting the river.
This is long overdue, and an important step, but it also exposes the scale of political failure that has pushed the river to this point.
“This listing is not a victory, it is an alarm bell. A river system that sustains communities and wildlife has been formally recognised as critically endangered – this should shock every Australian,” NCC Chief Executive Officer, Jacqui Mumford, said.
The government’s own scientific advice confirms the Lower Murray faces ongoing threats from damaging water extraction, declining water quality, invasive species, habitat loss, salinity, erosion and intensifying climate impacts including droughts and heatwaves.
“Listing the ecosystem is only meaningful if governments deliver the environmental water as promised, stop approvals that worsen damage, and invest in real restoration on the ground,” Ms Mumford said.
“This listing gives Australia a second chance to do the right thing. Now governments must prove they are serious about saving the Murray.”
The Government has also agreed to list the Wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes in northwestern NSW as an Endangered ecological community.
This extraordinary landscape is a vital refuge for more than 70 species of waterbirds and supports numerous nationally protected species, including areas recognised as Ramsar wetlands.
“The decision acknowledges the ecological significance of the Marshes and the urgent need to protect one of NSW’s most important inland wetland systems before further damage is locked in,” Ms Mumford said.
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW will continue working with Traditional Owners, river communities, scientists and partner organisations to demand stronger protections, fair water sharing and a healthy future for generations to come.
ENDS