Lower River Murray Ecosystem Listed as Critically Endangered by Federal Government

Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt announced the acceptance of a recommendation from Australia’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee to list the "River Murray downstream of the Darling River, and associated aquatic and floodplain systems," including South Australia’s Coorong lagoon, as critically endangered under national environmental law.## Implications of the ListingThe listing is intended to guide all levels of government and local communities in addressing threats. These threats include invasive species, degradation of native vegetation, loss of connectivity, salinity, erosion, and climate change. It will also help inform future Australian government investments supporting the river ecosystem.Minister Watt stated that the region's ecosystems face multiple threats, exacerbated by severe droughts and floods linked to climate change. He affirmed the government's commitment to the Murray Darling Basin Plan.According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, a critically endangered listing is applied to an ecological community facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future.## Expert CommentaryDr. Emma Carmody, South Australia’s new River Murray Commissioner, said the listing reinforces the importance of fully implementing the Basin Plan. This includes increasing environmental flows and ensuring water can be released onto floodplains in South Australia, which she believes is crucial for both the environment and dependent communities and industries.Craig Wilkins, co-national director of the Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance, noted that the decision acknowledges the River Murray as a living ecosystem vital for public health, regional livelihoods, cultural connection, and community well-being, beyond its role as a water supply or economic resource. Wilkins suggested next steps include stronger water recovery, enforcement of environmental protections, long-term monitoring, and investment in rehabilitation.Char Nitschke, campaigns coordinator for the Conservation Council of SA, indicated that the listing recognizes concerns held by First Nations people, scientists, and conservationists. She stated that conditions in the River Murray system have worsened since a previous listing was overturned in 2013, citing repeated toxic algal blooms, mass fish kills, declining flows, rising salinity, and climate stress.## Commissioner's AdvocacyDr. Carmody previously outlined her role as advocating for South Australia’s rights and interests, focusing on the health of the River Murray and the Murray-Darling Basin, and the return of additional environmental water. She emphasized the importance of overall water quality, considering climate change and the river system’s significance to First Nations communities.Carmody noted that the current Basin Plan does not adequately account for climate change or the rights and interests of First Nations Australians. She intends to advocate for the full implementation of the Water Act to return 450 gigalitres of water to the River Murray and for the relaxation of constraints to allow water to reach floodplains, which contain unique ecosystems.She identified overallocation of water as an ongoing concern. While state legislation addresses climate change effects on seasonal water availability, federal rules concerning the long-term quantum of water extraction do not, an area she believes requires closer examination.## River Health ConcernsDr. Jamie Pittock, a professor of geography at the Australian National University’s Fenner School of Environment & Society, described the River Murray system as being in "very poor health." He identified several contributing factors:* Excessive water extraction, primarily for irrigated agriculture (90% of water removed).* Construction of dams, locks, and weirs, altering seasonal flows and blocking fish migration.* Invasive species, such as European carp.* Over-clearing of native forests in the catchment, leading to increased saline water in the river.* Excessive sediment contributing to severe algal blooms and toxic water.* Dying wetlands transforming into terrestrial ecosystems, impacting South Australia, which has a diverse economy dependent on the river’s health (tourism, fishing, irrigation farming).## Related Funding AnnouncementConcurrently with the listing, Federal Environment Minister Senator Murray Watt, SA Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven MLC, and Climate, Environment and Water Minister Lucy Hood MP announced a $20 million grant program for Murray River communities. The grants aim to support projects that promote economic diversification, innovation, growth, enhanced liveability, and community resilience in South Australia’s vulnerable River Murray communities.