<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/06/fish-deaths-murray-darling-nsw-failed-funding-bid-better-water>
"A New South Wales government plan to improve river flows after catastrophic
fish deaths in the northern Murray-Darling Basin is in doubt after the federal
government refused a $360m funding request.
But environment advocates and experts say the NSW government must act on its
promise to restore the Darling-Baaka river – and follow through on
recommendations from its own expert panel – with one landholder warning of
further fish kills as soon as next summer.
Days after winning the 2023 election, the premier, Chris Minns, and senior
state ministers visited Menindee and committed to an investigation of the mass
fish kills.
Since then, the state’s water minister, Rose Jackson, said the government had
developed a series of “potential rule-based changes to water sharing plans
which we believe would deliver improved connectivity and significant long-term
benefits for the Murray-Darling Basin”.
She said that she had written to the federal environment minister, Murray Watt,
requesting support for the proposal and up to $360m “for water recovery towards
the Basin Plan”.
The funding request – which Jackson said was “open to negotiation” – was
rejected. On Friday, Jackson said her government “is now considering next steps
and other options for improving connectivity”."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
