Works commencing from October 2026
Works are expected to commence from October 2026 at Banarway, Calmundi, Louth and Tilpa weirs as part of the Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin project. Construction is expected to continue until mid-2027, subject to weather and site conditions.
Community members may notice construction vehicles and machinery near the project sites, with occasional short-term impacts to local traffic. Public access to the weirs will not be possible during construction to ensure public safety. Please take care near work areas and follow all signs and traffic-control directions.
Weir site locations
Walgett region:
- Banarway Weir: Located on the Barwon River, approximately 25 kilometres north-east of Collarenebri
- Calmundi Weir: Located on the Barwon River, approximately halfway between Collarenebri and Walgett. Access to the site is through private property.
Bourke region:
- Louth (Downstream) Weir: Located on the Darling Baaka River, downstream of Louth.
Central Darling region:
- Tilpa Weir: Located on the Darling Baaka River, accessed from Tilpa–Louth Road via Tilpa Weir Access Road.
Future updates about construction activities and potential impacts will be provided as the project progresses.
About the project
The Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin project seeks to reinstate waterways to allow native fish to flourish, while at the same time balancing the needs of local water users.
The project involves the incorporation of partial width rock-ramp fishways at the existing weir sites at Banarway, Calmundi, Louth and Tilpa to improve fish passage.
Native fish need to migrate to complete key life stages and to avoid drying habitats during drought. The distance migrated ranges from a few kilometres to entire river systems in the case of species like Golden Perch.
The project aims to address barriers to fish passage by installing fishways on infrastructure within our river systems.
The project would reinstate 506 km of fish passage along the Barwon-Darling river system and 83km of fish passage along the Macintyre River.
Project status
Project timeframe
The project will now continue into 2027, with completion expected by mid 2027, subject to weather and site conditions.
Works are expected to commence from October 2026 at Banarway, Calmundi, Louth and Tilpa weirs. We will continue to keep communities and stakeholders informed as the project progresses.
Fishways
The department recognises the importance of carefully balancing the needs of water users and the environment.
Following extensive feedback from stakeholders, the department has worked closely with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Fisheries to modify the fishway designs.
The NSW Government recognises that the communities of Louth, Tilpa, Collarenebri and Walgett do not want any reduction in local weir heights.
The new design includes a small capping sill across part of the weir crest that will allow the fishways to operate effectively and maintain the current full supply level.
This solution enables native fish to migrate and breed, whilst maintaining the height of the weirs.
Technical investigations have been undertaken to confirm this approach.
We continue to progress supporting activities for the fishways including the review of environmental factors, procurement, licensing and agreements.
Project benefits
The project will generate significant benefits including:
- increased movement of native fish species across the northern NSW Murray-Darling Basin
- increased abundance of native fish species in the system
- enhanced cultural values for First Nations communities (native fish are an important part of First Nations cultures in the region)
- support for regional economies and the creation of local job opportunities during construction
- increased regional tourism opportunities as native fish populations increase.
Project funding
The project is funded by the Australian Government and is being delivered to support the Murray–Darling Basin Plan by the department in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Fisheries.
The Australian Government has allocated up to $56.8 million to fund the project.
About fishways
Fishways are structures placed on or around constructed barriers, such as dams or weirs, to provide a passageway to help fish migrate safely upstream and downstream.
Find out more about the different types of fishways, or view fishway diagrams below:
Download a copy of the fishways diagrams.
Fishways design
The updated fishway design provides a balanced solution that acknowledges all needs of the various stakeholders. The benefits of the balanced approach include:
- fish passage outcomes
- minimal impact to water users
- mitigation of out of channel flooding implications
- maintenance of upstream aquatic habitats
- no increase in operation cost to NSW Government and Water NSW
- flexibility for future infrastructure changes.
Updated designs
Fishway designs for Banarway, Calmundi, Louth and Tilpa weirs are now complete. These designs incorporate feedback from communities and stakeholders, alongside technical modelling and collaboration with NSW Fisheries. The updated designs aim to improve fish passage while maintaining existing weir pool levels. Upstream water modelling has also been undertaken to inform environmental approvals.
For more information about barriers to fish passage, improving fish passage and current fish passage projects in NSW visit the NSW Fisheries website.
Stakeholder engagement
We continue to provide opportunities for local communities and stakeholders to have their say on the project throughout its development and delivery. Feedback is used as a key input into project decision-making.
Thank you to landholders, community members and organisation representatives who attended the community pop-up sessions held in Tilpa, Louth and Collarenebri during August and September 2026. We also thank everyone who participated in the project webinar in September 2026. We appreciate your time and participation.
A What we heard report summarising the feedback received and the project team’s responses is being developed and will be published on the project webpage when available.
Report
A What we heard report summarising feedback received during previous community engagement (September 2025 – December 2025) was published in May 2026.
Engagement with First Nations people
We recognise and acknowledge the unique relationship and deep connection-to-Country First Nations people have as the Traditional Owners and First Peoples of Australia.
The wisdom and experience of First Nations communities will play a role in informing our approach. We have a dedicated engagement team who will guide our engagement with these communities, and we look forward to working with them to deliver real and tangible outcomes.
Species Impact Statement
The public exhibitions of the Species Impact Statements for the proposed fishways at Louth Weir (1 June to 1 July 2026) and Tilpa Weir (19 June to 19 July 2026) have now closed. The exhibitions sought feedback on potential impacts to the critically endangered Darling River Snail (Notopala sublineata), its habitat and the Darling River Endangered Ecological Community. The Water Group is now reviewing the submissions before progressing the assessment process.
Reports
| Date | Document name |
|---|---|
| 01 December 2025 | Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin Project: What We Heard Report, October 2025 (PDF, 3.67 MB) |
| 01 May 2026 | Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin Project - What We Heard report, May 2026 (PDF, 687.82 KB) |
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Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at water.enquries@dcceew.nsw.gov.au