Have Your Say: Upper Murrumbidgee Drought Operating Framework

Image Credit: Urvish Oza

The Australian Government is seeking public feedback on the Draft Upper Murrumbidgee River River - Drought Operating Framework, which outlines how water will be managed during drought conditions over the next two years.

This framework is designed to guide decisions about water releases, storage, and accounting in the Upper Murrumbidgee River, with the goal of supporting river health, downstream communities, and energy operations like Snowy Hydro.

Key aspects include:

• Triggers for water releases based on river conditions

• Timing and volum of release

• Water accounting and valuation

• Environmental and community impacts

This is a short-term plan, with broader review of long-term water management strategies to follow.

Public consultation is open until 5pm on Thursday, 11 September 2025.