Refreshing Rivers

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

Improve our waterways for current and future generations

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. The Refreshing Rivers Program is working with more than 1,600 landholders to improve waterway health across the Murray-Riverina region.

Coordinated approach

Be a part of a coordinated effort to improve waterway health, truly driven by local community values. Your input shapes local Waterway Management Plans and actions.

Personalised support

Get personalised support from Project Officers to identify the best opportunities for your property and diversify your income.

Rewards for your actions

Be rewarded for the actions you already take and will take in the future to protect and enhance waterways.

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

Let's Make a Difference Together

Together we can coordinate our efforts and make a much greater impact, while enjoying the social benefits. Download our Refreshing Rivers fact sheet to see the many ways in which we can collaborate and make a difference.

DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET

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.

Visit the Target Area pages to find out more:

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.

Come along to a Refreshing Rivers event

See All Events

February 22, 2025

Mussel Muster on the Billabong

Dive into the fascinating world of freshwater mussels with Dr Nicole McCasker, mussel expert, from Charles Sturt University, and local cultural knowledge holder Ros Lockhart. This is a family-friendly event, so come along and help us discover more about these incredible creatures.

LEARN MORE

February 14, 2025

Southern Pygmy Perch Confirmed in Little Billabong Creek

A single Southern Pygmy Perch was netted in Little Billabong Creek today! The species was initially detected using eDNA sampling of the creek in February 2024, and a new population of this endangered fish species has now been fully confirmed.

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February 12, 2025

Aquatic Plantings at Ian Geddes Bush Reserve

In December 2024 Kylie Durant met up with local landholder and small-bodied fish breeder, Lachie Nevison, to plant some water plants in the Ten Mile Creek in Ian Geddes Bush Reserve, Holbrook NSW. We followed up in February to see how they were doing after a hot, dry summer...

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February 6, 2025

Fishcare Event Delivers 'Stunning' Surprise

Murray Cod would have once been common in local waterways including Adelong Creek. Declining water quality, introduction of exotic fish species and loss of native habitat, meant that these fish had not been recorded in the Creek for many years - until now!

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Talk to one of our Project Officers

Central Billabong

Andrea Mitchell

0419 841 834

andrea@refreshingrivers.org.au

Upper Billabong

Peter Rowland

0414 901 080

info@refreshingrivers.org.au

Riverina Highlands

Cherie White

0427 407 126

cherie@refreshingrivers.org.au

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The Refreshing Rivers Program is a collaboration between government, industry, research, and community organisations, led by Local Land Services. This Program has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

The Refreshing Rivers Program works on Country that always was and always will be Aboriginal land. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters, and we pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Website developed by the Australian River Restoration Centre