The River Murray (lower Murray) has officially been listed as Critically Endangered under national environment law. This is the strongest warning our laws can give that this vast, life-giving river is at serious risk of collapse.
For years, scientists, First Nations and river communities have sounded the alarm as over-extraction, corporate greed and intensifying climate impacts pushed the river beyond its limits. Now, that reality has been formally recognised.
This listing matters. And with the Murray–Darling Basin Plan Review underway, it could mark a turning point for the future of the river – if we act now. Find out how you can play your part.
The Critically Endangered listing applies to the River Murray downstream of the Darling River and its connected wetlands, floodplains and groundwater systems.
It reflects overwhelming scientific evidence that the river system is at risk of ecological collapse.
Across the Basin, we’ve seen:
Under Australia’s national environment law, a Critically Endangered ecosystem is one facing an extremely high risk of collapse. This is the highest level of environmental threat recognition.
The listing:
Any developments, water extraction and land-use decisions that risk further harm can no longer proceed without scrutiny.
It won’t revive the river overnight – but it changes what governments are accountable for.
The science behind this listing is not new.
A major independent scientific assessment completed in 2013 recommended the River Murray be listed as threatened. Despite the evidence, the Abbott Government blocked the listing without scientific justification – the only time a threatened ecosystem listing has ever been overturned by Parliament.
That decision delayed national protections for more than a decade, while the river system continued to decline.
We welcome the current Labor Government’s decision – including Minister Murray Watt’s leadership – to finally act on the science and restore long-overdue protection for the river and its connected wetlands, floodplains and groundwater systems.
The Murray–Darling Basin Plan Review began in early February 2026.
This review is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to fix the broken rules that allow too much water to be taken from our river systems.
Right now, the Basin Plan is failing to:
To give the River Murray a future, governments must choose living rivers and thriving communities over corporate greed. That means:
Healthy rivers support healthy communities. Reviving the Murray isn’t optional – it’s essential.
The 2026 Murray–Darling Basin Plan review is a once-in-a-decade chance to fix the broken rules that allow too much water to be taken from our rivers.
Right now, the Murray Darling Basin Authority wants to hear from the community on how it can improve the Plan. This is a rare opportunity to fix the plan and set our rivers, wetlands and wildlife on a genuine path to recovery.