A community landcare group in Victoria’s northwest has initiated legal action against what it claims is an “unlawful” environmental project in the Murray-Darling Basin. The Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park, chaired by Dr. Jacquie Kelly, filed the proceedings challenging the approval of the Nyah floodplain restoration project, part of the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Projects (VMFRP).
The group alleges that the project, which involves artificially flooding the landscape using pumps and embankments, will cause significant ecological harm and impact Aboriginal heritage sites. Dr. Kelly described the project as “risky, destructive, and expensive,” claiming it would scar the wetlands and damage the local ecosystem.
The Victoria government approved the Nyah project despite acknowledging that it would result in adverse environmental impacts. The legal challenge, supported by Environmental Justice Australia, argues that alternatives, such as allowing natural water flow or purchasing water entitlements from farmers, were not properly considered.
The case adds to ongoing debates surrounding the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, with critics concerned that such projects reduce the overall water available for the river system. First Nations groups have also voiced their opposition, describing the project as a continuation of environmental dispossession.
Maria Riedl’s submission to the Murray Darling Basin Plan Amendments has highlighted several key concerns about the Plan’s overall approach to water management. Riedl argues that the Plan fails to adequately protect both ecological and cultural resources, stressing the over-allocation of water to consumptive users, which reduces the available water for the environment. Additionally, she points out that the Murray-Darling Basin Plan does not sufficiently address the water rights of Aboriginal communities, leading to continued environmental and cultural dispossession. Riedl advocates for more comprehensive water reforms, including prioritizing environmental flows, reducing reliance on engineered solutions, and incorporating Aboriginal cultural flows into the decision-making process. She also notes that climate change impacts are not being adequately factored into water allocation and management strategies, leading to further degradation of ecosystems across the Basin.
This broader context emphasizes the growing frustrations with engineered projects like the VMFRP, where environmental and cultural integrity are often perceived as being undermined by artificial interventions and water-saving mechanisms. Legal and community opposition, such as the case brought by the Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park, further underscores the need for reconsideration of water management strategies in the Murray-Darling Basin.
