Restoring the Darling-Baaka program

The Government full response includes 26 actions to address the recommendations of the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer.¹

Action No.	March 2025 status	August 2025 status
FR1 - Develop an Integrated Catchment Management Work Program
FR2 - Make amendments to the Water Sharing Plans for NSW Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie and Barwon-Darling
FR3 - Make amendments to the Water Sharing Plan for the Murray and Darling Regulated River Water Sources 2016
FR4 - Improve operating arrangements for Menindee Lakes and deliver review
FR5 - Review and update the Menindee water quality incident action plan
FR6 - Review and update the Water Quality Incident Management Plan
FR7 - Develop the NSW water quality monitoring framework
FR8(a) - Conduct a Weir 32 pool scientific study
FR8(b) - Develop a hydrodynamic model
FR8(c) - Purchase and install dissolved oxygen buoys and data loggers
FR9 - Maintain and operate dissolved oxygen sensors
FR10 - Installation of 40 water data sensors
FR11 - Develop and publish a Menindee–specific Mass Fish Death Response Sub Plan
FR12 - Exercise the Interim Mass Fish Death Event Response Sub Plan
FR13 - Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan Exercise
FR14 - Update the Local Emergency Management Committee Information Guide
FR15 - Resource review for Mass Fish Death Response Sub Plan
FR16 - Complete the capability assessment of emergency services
FR17 - Develop an emergency Communications Plan and confirm Public Information Services Functional Area under the Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan
FR18 - Improved and ongoing non-emergency communications and engagement plan
FR19 - Enhanced education materials and links to relevant information
FR20 - Trial and evaluate the feasibility of oxygenation infrastructure
FR21 - Trial of new fish passage technologies
FR22 - Replacement of existing fishway at Burtundy Weir
FR23 - Full business case for permanent fish passage in the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling-Baaka
FR24 - Native Fish Recovery and Resilience program
FR25 - Support the Australian Government to deliver the Carp Biological Control Program
FR26 - Scope a “trap and transport” short-term solution

^{1. Reporting on full response action 8 (FR8) is broken into three distinct actions for clarity and transparency.}

Integrated catchment management is an approach to coordinating the management of land use, water and natural resources across a catchment to improve ecosystem outcomes. It involves integrating policy frameworks across land use planning, water planning, biodiversity and other natural resources, which all influence water quality and water availability in a catchment.

Preparing an integrated catchment management program is expected to improve the way land and water is managed to improve water quality and other environmental outcomes.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Develop an Integrated Catchment Management Work Program		Last six months Detailed problem definition has been conducted, incorporating stakeholder feedback to prioritise key government issues related to water quality and identify recurring challenges across NSW. Key findings are emerging from analysis of past catchment management practices and the review of models from other jurisdictions. Case studies of key inland, coastal, urban, and rural waterways have been developed to identify core governance issues. These findings will inform design and assessment of governance reform options that could be adopted in NSW. Multi-agency engagement is underway to test proposed reform options to ensure they are practical and supported across agencies. Next six months Consistent with the work program outlined in the Water Quality Governance Roadmap, DCCEEW is progressing options design, assessment, and prioritisation. This work program will result in preferred reform options being presented to the NSW Government in June 2026. More information Water Quality Governance Roadmap	June 2026

This action is to make amendments to water sharing plans in the NSW Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie and Barwon-Darling valleys which consider the findings of the independent Connectivity Expert Panel’s final report. These amendments are expected to result in greater connectivity of these rivers to improve environmental outcomes.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Make amendments to the Water Sharing Plans for NSW Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie and Barwon-Darling		Last six months An interagency Connectivity Regional Working Group was established to provide agency expertise by identifying issues and collaborating to consider options for changes to rules to improve northern Basin Connectivity. The department has been doing comprehensive hydrologic, environmental and economic analyses of the Panel’s proposed water sharing plan rules to fully understand the potential benefits and impacts.   Next six months Our aim is to see this initial analysis of the Panel’s proposed rules completed by mid-2025. The results will be released after consideration by the Minister for Water and advice to the NSW Government. Key stakeholders will be consulted to discuss findings and provide their input on on-ground experience and issues. This analysis and consultation will inform the next steps DCCEEW will take in advising the Minister for Water and the NSW Government, including any amendments to water sharing plans. More information Northern Basin Connectivity Program Interagency working group terms of reference	December 2026

This action is to make amendments to the Water Sharing Plan for the Murray and Lower Darling Regulated River Water Sources 2016 that consider the findings of the independent Connectivity Expert Panel’s final report. These amendments are expected to result in greater connectivity of these rivers to improve environmental outcomes. These amendments may be incorporated into the replacement of this water sharing plan.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Make amendments to the Water Sharing Plan for the Murray and Darling Regulated River Water Sources 2016		Next six months Any changes to the operation of Menindee Lakes will require interjurisdictional agreement by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council and Basin Officials Committee. These bodies are conducting a review into the Menindee Lakes operations, which is due to be completed by late 2025. Water Group will consider the Panel's recommendations as part of the remake of the Water Sharing Plan for the New South Wales Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Rivers Water Sources 2016, after the completion of the Menindee Lakes operation review. As per the Government’s full response, the target date of June 2028 is subject to extension approval. More information Water sharing plan	June 2028

This action is to identify and seek improvements to the operating arrangements for the Menindee Lakes to better mitigate environmental incidents arising from declining water quality, including actively engaging in the scoping and delivery of a review requested by the Basin Officials Committee (made up of officials from NSW, Victorian, South Australian and Commonwealth governments).

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), acting on behalf of these governments, will manage the conduct of the review in multiple stages.

Changes to the operating arrangements at the Menindee Lakes are intended to provide new tools to help manage developing water quality events.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Improve operating arrangements for Menindee Lakes and deliver review		Last six months Phase 1 – Problem Definition is currently underway and close to complete, focusing on assessing the historical and current challenges and benefits of managing the lakes. Next six months The The MDBA is preparing a report on the significance and value of the Menindee Lakes, how they are currently managed, the main issues affecting the lakes and the Lower Darling (Baaka). This report will highlight the key challenges and opportunities, helping us to focus on what needs attention most. It will be shared with the Basin Officials Committee to guide the next steps in the review and is expected to be published. In “Phase 2 – Investigation and Vision,” more people will be invited to share their thoughts–including First Nations and communities in and beyond Menindee and the Lower Darling, especially along the River Murray. Stakeholders will be able to share feedback on the role of Menindee Lakes in the southern connected Basin and suggest ways to improve how the lakes are managed. DCCEEW continues to collaborate with the MDBA to improve jurisdictional understanding of current issues and benefits, and to strengthen cooperation in support of ongoing work. More information Menindee Review | Murray–Darling Basin Authority Further information will be available during the stakeholder and community engagement stage	December 2025

The Menindee Water Quality Incident Action Plan sets out how to respond in the event of a water quality incident occurring or indications that it will occur at Menindee. The Incident Action Plan documents the actions we will take at Menindee when specific triggers are met.

The incident action plan is implemented by the Menindee / Lower Darling Water Quality Working Group on water quality monitoring outcomes, options and actions to manage poor water quality. The updated incident action plan is being applied over the summer of 2024/25.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Review and update the Menindee water quality incident action plan		The Menindee Water Quality Incident Action Plan informs decisions by the Menindee/Lower Darling Water Quality Working Group to actively undertake variable water releases from the upper Lakes into the Menindee weir pool in response to specific water quality triggers to avoid hypoxic conditions. The review and update were completed in December 2024. More information Regular updates for the Menindee community	December  2024

This action is to review the Water Quality Incident Management Plan in relation to managing low dissolved oxygen and update it to reflect lessons learned from water quality issues and mass fish deaths observed in 2022–23 and 2023–24.

The purpose of the Water Quality Incident Management Plan is to provide a mechanism for an inter-agency approach to hypoxic water quality event in the NSW Murray Darling Basin.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Review and update the Water Quality Incident Management Plan		The review and update were completed in December 2024. The review incorporates learnings from the hypoxic event management into the plan and clarifies agency roles and responsibilities in hypoxic event response. More information    Regular updates for the Menindee community	December  2024

Water quality data is collected, stored and used by a range of state government agencies as well as councils. It is important to improve visibility of data held among agencies and enhance transparency with the wider community regarding which organisations hold water quality data, the nature of the data, its completeness, accuracy and how to access it.

This action addresses gaps in water quality and river health data by developing a new NSW Water Quality Monitoring Framework. It aims to improve environmental outcomes and public awareness of water quality issues.

The water quality framework aims to develop and implement a statewide system for collecting, managing, sharing, and accessing water quality data across government agencies.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Develop the NSW water quality monitoring framework		Last six months A NSW Water Quality Monitoring Framework has been developed for piloting and improvement over the next 12 months. Next six months DCCEEW will implement the Framework with key stakeholders, road-testing agreed standards for data collection, sharing, and publication. This will enable more effective and timely management of water quality issues, including incident response such as fish death events. The system will provide easy access to water quality information via connected devices, supporting transparency and community awareness. More information NSW Water Quality Governance Roadmap Water quality monitoring data across the state RAW Water Quality Data | Dataset | SEED	Framework development: June 2025 Framework implementation: June 2026

The purpose of this action is to investigate the possible causes of the Golden Perch fish deaths that occurred in February and March 2024. The first stage aims to collect and collate evidence of conditions during the 2024 Golden Perch death event. The second stage will involve conducting more intensive and specialised sampling and laboratory analyses to identify more complex potential causes of the fish deaths.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Conduct a Weir 32 pool scientific study		Last six months All sampling activities to assess the impact of the 2023 mass fish death event on water quality in the Menindee Weir Pool have been completed. Early findings suggest that poor sediment conditions may have supported parasites like anchor worms, which weakened adult golden perch. The study integrates scientific analysis with community input, and the findings are detailed in a comprehensive full report that includes analysis and recommendations. Next six months This work will contribute to advances in understanding recent causes of death for Golden Perch and provide valuable insights into river health. The findings in the report will inform the development of integrated models to support coordinated land and water management strategies.	June 2025

Hydrodynamic models can provide simulations of a range of flow and sediment transport scenarios. The planned hydrodynamic model will allow forecasts and predictions of dissolved oxygen conditions under various scenarios and the associated risk of fish deaths. The hydrodynamic model will aid water management decision-making through the data it provides. This action seeks to build upon work already under way through the Darling-Baaka River Health Project.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Develop a hydrodynamic model		Last six months In collaboration with the University of Technology, Sydney, DCCEEW has developed a three-dimensional model for the purposes of predicting thermal stratification events in the Lower Darling-Baaka River. Next six months The project has been slightly delayed to ensure it meets required operational needs. It is expected this will take place imminently. DCCEEW will incorporate the model into operational decision-making, with the objective of avoiding river conditions that lead to mass fish deaths. More information Water quality monitoring data in Darling-Baaka	September 2025

This action aims to install permanent multi-depth water quality monitoring buoys and upgrade existing dissolved oxygen monitoring sites, to reduce maintenance costs and data error. There are 3 buoys already in place (see FR9) on the Weir 32 weir pool that are providing data and being used for decision-making. The sensors will also be upgraded to include additional water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, chlorophyll, temperature).

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Purchase and install dissolved oxygen buoys and data loggers		Last six months The installation of the new dissolved oxygen buoys and data loggers is complete. Next six months These dissolved oxygen buoys will be maintained and operated, with continuous data collection enabling real-time, informed decision-making. The data will be available on WaterInsight and support timely responses to water quality issues and help reduce the risk of future mass fish death events. More information Real time water quality data	June 2025

This action’s purpose is to maintain and operate existing dissolved oxygen sensors in the Menindee weir pool and conduct additional manual sampling as required. Improving sensors’ performance and additional sampling will contribute to improved data to support better decision-making and ensure a whole of system approach to water quality management.

It is linked to the overall aim of creating an effective early warning system that draws on improved monitoring and modelling and a plan to activate strategies to mitigate fish death events.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Maintain and operate dissolved oxygen sensors		WaterNSW continues to maintain and operate the existing dissolved oxygen sensors to aid operational decision-making and availability of data for the community.   More information Real time water quality data	June 2028

Water data monitors aim to improve water data collection, management and transparency to ensure the NSW Government and the community have the right data to inform water management decisions.

This action will complete the installation of an initial 40 water data monitors in high–risk areas to provide real–time data on dissolved oxygen levels. Real time dissolved oxygen data will assist in identifying and assessing the level of risk and managing extreme water quality events. This information can be used to improve the management of water resources and to assess the success of water management decisions.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Installation of 40 water data sensors		Last six months Most water data monitors (39 out of 40) have been installed at high priority monitoring sites across the Darling-Baaka. The remaining monitor, which is set for installation at the Darling River upstream of Wilcannia (Trevallyn), has not been installed due to current water levels as a result of recent inflows. Next six months The final water data monitor will be installed as soon as water levels recede. Real-time data will be collected to support timely management decisions aimed at preventing fish deaths caused by thermal destratification. This data will also be used to monitor the quality of inflows, enhancing overall water quality management. More information Real time water quality data	June 2025 (minor delay)

This action is to develop Menindee-specific, emergency management arrangements for a mass fish death event, through a published Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan (Sub Plan).

The Sub Plan will clearly explain triggers, stages of a response, clean-up measures and government agency roles and responsibilities for a mass fish death event. Related actions are FR12, FR13, FR15 and FR17.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Develop and publish a Menindee–specific Mass Fish Death Response Sub Plan		Last six months The Menindee Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan was endorsed by the Far West Region Emergency Management Committee in March 2025 and published on the Premier’s Department Website. It covers the emergency management arrangements for responding to a Mass Fish Death Event in the Menindee Town Weir Pool, specifically between Main Weir and Weir 32. Next six months The Sub Plan will be maintained and implemented to ensure an effective and coordinated response to any future mass fish death events. More information Far West emergency management region | NSW Government Menindee Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan	March 2025

This action is to test the Interim Mass Fish Death Event Response Sub Plan at Menindee consistent with the Local Emergency Management Committee Exercising Toolkit – Spontaneous Volunteers.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Exercise the Interim Mass Fish Death Event Response Sub Plan		The exercise was delivered in June 2024, and the arrangements were tested regarding: the notification process for a mass fish death event managing a multi-agency response, including the management of the site, disposal of fish carcasses and related materials, investigation of the event, ongoing water quality monitoring and managing public information community engagement, including Aboriginal communities	June 2024

The Central Darling Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) is comprised of NSW Government agencies, Central Darling Shire Council and non-government organisations.

This action is to exercise the Menindee-specific Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan by the Central Darling LEMC and NSW Government agencies.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan Exercise		The NSW EPA and other agencies conducted a mock emergency exercise in Menindee to test the Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan in June 2025. The exercise aimed to improve response coordination including communications, with a focus on building stronger relationships and enhancing collaborative efforts for future responses. Learnings from the exercise will inform future preparedness work.	June 2025

This action is to update the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) Information Guide. This update aims to align the Information Guide to current good practice and reflect recent amendments made to the NSW Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN) 2023. The Information Guide has been published on the Emergency Management Policy website.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Update the Local Emergency Management Committee Information Guide		This action was completed in July 2024. This followed a comprehensive review of the Central Darling LEMC and aligns the Information Guide to current good practice and reflect recent amendments made to the NSW EMPLAN 2023. More information LEMC Information Guide	June 2024

This action is to complete a resource review as part of the preparation for a Mass Fish Death Event. It is linked to the Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan-related actions; FR11, FR12, FR13 and FR17.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Resource review for Mass Fish Death Response Sub Plan		The resource review has been finalised. Site inspections were undertaken in November 2024 to confirm resources and equipment. Based on the resource review, stand-by contractors for clean-up were procured for the 2024/25 summer period.	October 2024

This action is to complete a capability assessment of the emergency services functions and resources (assets/equipment) in Menindee, Central Darling Shire local government area, and the Far West Emergency Management Region.

The NSW Premier’s Department conducted the capability assessment with the support of the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) and the Regional Emergency Management Officer (REMO).

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Complete the capability assessment of emergency services		This action was completed in August 2024. The assessment highlighted insights that can be considered at the local, regional, and state level, including: Staff and volunteers required to attend an Emergency Operations Centre during an emergency response would benefit from completing the Emergency Operations Centre Concepts online training offered by the Premier’s Department. The Mass Fish Deaths Sub Plan and the Central Darling LEMC would be enhanced by including informal volunteers. The documentation of resource arrangements within the Mass Fish Deaths Event Sub Plan will support effectiveness in an emergency. More information Emergency management training and resources	August 2024

This action is to confirm the lead agency for communications (Public Information Services Functional Area) and develop an emergency Communications Plan under the Menindee–specific Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Confirm the lead agency for communications (Public Information Services Functional Area) and communications plan under the Menindee-specific Mass Fish Death Response Sub Plan.		Last six months An emergency Communications Plan has been developed for a Mass Fish Death Event. The Sub Plan designates NSW EPA as the combat agency responsible for leading the response to a Mass Fish Death Event in the Menindee Weir Pool. The Plan ensures timely, accurate, and coordinated information sharing among government agencies and with the public and the local communities during a mass fish death event. Next six months The plan clarifies communication roles and responsibilities among agencies and with the public. Government agencies will follow the plan to ensure effective communication, coordination, and public safety during a mass fish death event. More information Far West emergency management region | NSW Government Menindee Mass Fish Death Event Sub Plan	March 2025

This action is to build on existing communications and engagement with the Menindee community to improve the ongoing non-emergency communications and engagement in the Menindee region.

It aims to address the regional requirements of the community, the proactive release of information, and includes community consultation and feedback, such as two–way communication.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Improved and ongoing non-emergency communications and engagement plan		Last six months Ongoing cross-agency meetings established to ensure engagement activities are aligned where possible. This dialogue will continue to support strong two-way communication and engagement. Next six months This work will be ongoing as continuous improvements are applied to engagement and communication processes. More information Regular updates for the Menindee community	Ongoing

This action is to deliver enhanced education materials and links to relevant information on partner websites from the Water Group website. It aims to build on existing materials across a range of state and federal government websites to ensure communities, customers and stakeholders have online access to educative materials that enhance their understanding of water management and other water related issues.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Enhanced education materials and links to relevant information		Website updates and new educational materials have been completed. This work will be ongoing with new materials added regularly. This will ensure that communities, customers and stakeholders have online access to educative materials that enhance their understanding of water management and other water related issues.   More information Learn about water	December 2024

This action is to complete the trial and evaluate the feasibility of oxygenation infrastructure. It involves the installation, operation, and maintenance of a temporary micro-bubbling machine in the Weir 32 weir pool and monitor dissolved oxygen levels. The data can then be used to evaluate the feasibility of oxygenation infrastructure as a fish death event mitigation strategy.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Trial and evaluate the feasibility of oxygenation infrastructure		The micro-bubbling oxygenation machine was installed, operated and decommissioned in June 2024. The evaluation report has been finalised. The trial has shown that microbubble oxygenation of bottom waters is possible under low flow conditions. More information Trial of oxygenation in the Darling Baaka River near Menindee report	September 2024

This action is to complete a trial of new fish passage technologies including the tube fishway with fish sorting opportunities.

The intent of this action is to identify technology that can be easily and cost-effectively retrofitted to existing structures to enhance fish passage and allow fish to escape poor water quality events and reduce the chance of future mass fish deaths. FR26, which is an action to scope “trap and transport” by fish sorting, is part of this action.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Trial of new fish passage technologies		Last six months The fishway was in operation between February and April 2025, attracting and passing over 7,500 fish upstream to find new homes, more food and to spawn and recruit in the Baaka and beyond, with the vast majority being native species dominated by bony herring. A camera system with artificial intelligence (AI) was used to count and identify fish. Some fish were easy for the AI to identify, while others were more challenging because of water clarity and limited field of view for the camera system. Community engagement continued during the last six months, with over 250 people participating including in a series of community workshops, public art installations, and open day events, supported by a range of media activities. Next six months In Year 2, commencing in September 2025, the fishway will run longer and during peak migration times. There will be installation of additional cameras and lighting system, continued and improved monitoring on fish safety and fishway effectiveness, as well as continued community engagement. More information Menindee Lower Darling-Baaka Temporary Tube Fishway Trial	June 2028

This action is to complete replacement of the existing fishway at Burtundy Weir. It involves the construction and commissioning of a new fishway at Burtundy Weir in the Lower Darling-Baaka River in Western New South Wales (NSW).

The new fishway is part of the Lower Darling Fish Passage Program which was established as part of the Australian Government’s response to the fish deaths in the 2018-19 summer in the Lower Darling River. Burtundy Weir is located 133 km upstream from the confluence of the Lower Darling-Baaka River and the River Murray and is the first barrier experienced by fish heading upstream from the Murray River junction.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Replacement of existing fishway at Burtundy Weir		Last six months The assessment of the existing fishway has been completed to identify issues affecting fish passage and inform the design of the replacement. The procurement process for construction is currently on pause until a suitable window for construction becomes available. Next six months Construction is scheduled to commence in mid-2026 pending river flow conditions. A completion report, including the monitoring of the operation of the fishway will be released. More information Lower Darling-Baaka fishways	December 2026

Currently in the Lower Darling (Baaka), fish can only migrate upstream as far as Lake Wetherell and Menindee Main Weir due to regulators and weirs preventing fish passage. This contributes to significant increases in fish biomass, especially in the Menindee town weir pool.

Supported by a $2.3 million investment from the Commonwealth Government, the MDBA is developing a business case for fish passage connectivity at Lake Wetherell as a key step towards restoring connectivity for upstream fish migration.

NSW DPIRD Fisheries is leading a separate (but related) business case investigating holistic connectivity outcomes for the Menindee Lakes System and Lower Darling (Baaka) by exploring permanent fish passage solutions at several existing river and lake control structures plus a number of road crossing sites on additional flow pathways.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Full business case for permanent fish passage in the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling-Baaka		Last six months NSW DPIRD Fisheries has been collaborating with NSW DCCEEW, MDBA, WaterNSW, and Public Works to contribute to the business case for permanent fish passage at Menindee Lakes and Baaka River sites with scope of works, site inspections and related procurement processes for technical services undertaken. Next six months The forthcoming phase involves appointment of design consultant along with commencement of site investigations and options assessment. MDBA preliminary business case delivered by early 2026. Engagement with the community is ongoing. More information Regular updates for the Menindee community Menindee Fish Passage Program | Murray–Darling Basin Authority	Preliminary Business Case Finalisation: Early/mid 2026 Full Business Case: June 2027

This action is to develop a Native Fish Recovery and Resilience Program, that focuses on future on-ground rehabilitation actions along the Darling-Baaka River for potential investment to improve water quality and ecological outcomes.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Native Fish Recovery and Resilience program		Last six months NSW DPIRD Fisheries and Western Local Land Services have collated existing data, literature, and resources to support the development of a management options plan. A community engagement and communication plan has also been developed to guide the next stage of the program.  Next six months Community and stakeholder engagement will be a priority for the next 6 months, with the aim to identify and confirm: Management options and objectives Community aspirations and priorities Local river knowledge Cultural knowledge Opportunities for collaboration and program delivery More information Native Fish Recovery Strategy	June 2026

This action aims to support the Australian Government and states and territories to deliver the National Carp Control Program (NCCP) and address outcomes of a national integrated invasive fish species management strategy.

The Carp Biological Control Program will progress priority research actions to improve knowledge and understanding of the Carp virus for use as a biocontrol agent, which will help inform planning, engagement and regulatory approvals for implementation.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Support the Australian Government to deliver the Carp Biological Control Program* Previously referred to as the National Carp Control Program (NCCP)		Last six months DPIRD has continued to represent NSW in relevant working groups, research initiatives, and management actions. A Commonwealth working group initiated at the request of Victorian fisheries officials, will develop a proposal for a field trial using the carp virus. The working group includes fisheries officials from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. The purpose of the proposed field trial is to assess the efficacy of the carp virus under natural conditions. Regulatory approval will be required to manage risks before field trials can start. The field trial proposal is being developed in parallel to the Carp Biological Control Program. Next six months The states, territories and non-government bodies will continue research actions and related management actions, including those associated with potential field trial and controlled release of the Carp virus. More information National Carp Control Plan Carp Biological Control Program - DAFF	June 2027

This action is to scope “trap and transport” by fish sorting as part of FR21: Complete a trial of new fish passage technologies including the tube fishway with fish sorting opportunities.

“Trap and transport” refers to attracting native fish into a trapping cage housed within a structure, transferring them into a specialised fish transporter truck and driving them to the designated release point upstream.

Deliverable	Status	August 2025 update	Target date
Scope a “trap and transport” short-term solution		Two potential options for fish transport were considered as part of investigations. Based on an analysis of this work, it was determined that a standalone ‘trap and transport’ system was not a viable option to address immediate short-term fish passage needs.    DPIRD Fisheries has completed this action and is now focusing on the trial of other fishway technologies, such as the tube fishway, as part of FR21. More info Menindee Lower Darling-Baaka Temporary Tube Fishway Trial (FR21)	June 2028