Environmental protections along South Australia’s lower River Murray system are set to increase after the federal government officially listed the region as critically endangered.
The decision covers the River Murray in SA, the Coorong, Lake Alexandrina and surrounding wetlands and floodplains, bringing stronger oversight for major new developments that could affect the ecosystem.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said the listing means large-scale projects such as new dams, bridges or major land clearing will now require environmental assessment and approval. He has insisted that existing land uses would not be affected, with exemptions in place for ongoing farming, grazing and other established activities.
The move has been welcomed by some environmental scientists, who say the listing recognises the serious risks facing the river system and could unlock more funding for restoration.
Irrigator groups in the Riverland have raised concerns about the potential long-term impact on agriculture, arguing the region should not be labelled critically endangered.
The Federal Government says it has already recovered 170 gigalitres of environmental water under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, with more water purchases planned by the end of 2026.
