The Restoring the Upper Murrumbidgee River Program sits under the joint NSW–ACT Strategy to improve the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee. Here you’ll find the key strategy, planning and progress documents behind the program, along with research and publications as they become available.
Strategy to improve the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee
The overarching NSW and ACT strategy that the RUMR Program delivers against. It sets the long-term direction for improving the health of the river.
Improving the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee: Context and Background
Why action is needed on the Upper Murrumbidgee and how the program came about.
Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed (SWIOID)
The Upper Murrumbidgee work stems from the review of the Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed.
New South Wales Project Work Plan
Sets out the projects being delivered in NSW under the program, including science, monitoring and on-ground restoration work.
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/nsw-project-work-plan.pdf
ACT Project Work Plan
Sets out the projects being delivered in the ACT under the program.
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/act-project-work-plan.pdf
Joint Communications and Engagement Program Plan
How the NSW and ACT partners work together to communicate with and engage the community across the program.
Joint First Nations Participation and Engagement Plan
The joint approach to First Nations participation and engagement across the program.
Joint Science and Monitoring Plan
Sets out how the ACT and NSW governments work together to research and monitor the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River.
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/joint-science-monitoring-program-plan.pdf
NSW Status Report 2025–2026
A progress update on the NSW projects, covering what has been delivered and what’s underway.
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/nsw-project-status-report-milestone-2.pdf
ACT Status Report 2025-2026
A progress update on ACT projects, covering what has been delivered and what’s underway.
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/act-project-status-report-milestone-2.pdf
Frequently asked questions about the program and the river’s health.
It’s a multi-year effort to improve the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River and its catchment. The program combines on-ground restoration work, research and monitoring, and stronger participation from First Nations and the wider community. It’s funded by the Australian Government and delivered in partnership by the ACT and NSW governments.
Like many rivers in south-eastern Australia, its health has declined over many years. Changes to water flows, the loss of bankside vegetation, erosion, habitat loss, a growing population and a changing climate have all added pressure. Restoring the river means repairing this damage and helping the catchment become more resilient.
It’s a shared effort across three governments – the Commonwealth, the ACT and NSW – working alongside First Nations, delivery partners and the community. The on-ground projects are carried out by around 25 Project Delivery Partners: local organisations and land managers who know their part of the catchment well.
The program is funded by the Australian Government and delivered with the ACT and NSW governments. It runs to June 2029, with some projects and activities likely to continue beyond that date.
First Nations people have cared for the upper Murrumbidgee for tens of thousands of years, and that knowledge and connection are central to the program. The program is committed to working in genuine partnership with First Nations – sharing decisions, supporting cultural connection to Country and water, and building lasting capacity to care for the river.
Come along to an event such as a planting day or community forum, subscribe for updates, or get in touch if you manage land in the catchment or work in natural resource management. Visit Get involved or News and events to find what’s on near you.
Projects and events are happening across the ACT and NSW. Use the project map and the events calendar to see what’s happening in your area, and subscribe to hear about new activities first.
A catchment is the whole area of land where rain and run-off drain into the same river system. What happens across the catchment – on farms, in towns and along creek lines – affects the health of the river. That’s why restoring the upper Murrumbidgee means working across the landscape, not just along the riverbank.
Subscribe to program updates, follow the news page, and keep an eye on the projects map as work gets underway. Reports and publications are shared on the Resources page as they become available.
Use the contact details in the footer or the Contact page. We aim to respond as quickly as we can.
