Public exhibition open
Public exhibition – Tilpa Weir fishway Species Impact Statement
We are inviting feedback on a Species Impact Statement (SIS) prepared for the Darling River Snail (Notopala sublineata) and the Darling River Endangered Ecological Community at Tilpa Weir. The public exhibition will run from Friday 19 June 2026 to Sunday 19 July 2026.
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
- the removal of an unlicensed structure on the Darling-Baaka River.
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 506km of fish passage along the Barwon-Darling river system and 83km of fish passage along the Macintyre River.
Project status
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.
It is important to note, these weirs were built in the 1950s and have developed leaks over time, leading to the loss of billions of litres of water. The project therefore also involves repairing these leaks to reduce water loss.
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 strategies, licensing and agreements.
Other works
Works were completed to remove a concrete structure blocking fish migration, known as Holdfast Crossing, in September 2024. The crossing is located approximately 14km north of Yetman in the Inverell Shire. The removal reinstated more than 64km of fish passage.
An unlicensed structure on the Darling-Baaka River upstream of Wilcannia was also removed in January 2026.
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
- long term benefits with reduced leakage and remediated infrastructure
- 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 the landholders, community members and organisation representatives who attended the October 2025 community drop-in sessions in Tilpa, Louth, Walgett and Collarenebri. Thank you also to attendees who participated in the project webinar in early November 2025. We appreciate your time and acknowledges the feedback you have provided on the revised fishway designs.
Read the latest What we heard report published in May 2026
View the September 2025 media release concerning the revised fishway designs.
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
Have your say on a Species Impact Statement prepared for the proposed fishways at Tilpa Weir. The Species Impact Statement relates to the Darling River Snail (Notopala sublineata) and the Darling River Endangered Ecological Community. The Darling River Snail is listed as critically endangered under the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994.
The proposed construction of a fishway at Tilpa Weir will impact on the Darling River Snail, its habitat and the Darling River Endangered Ecological Community.
The Water Group is assessing the activity under Part 5, Division 5.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Following the public exhibition period of the Species Impacts Statement, concurrence from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Fisheries is required before a determination is made.
The public exhibition of the Species Impact Statement for the Darling River Snail and the Darling River Endangered Ecological Community at Louth Weir has now closed. The exhibition was open from 1 June to 1 July 2026.
Statements
| Date | Document name |
|---|---|
| 19 June 2026 | Species Impact Statement – Tilpa Weir Fishway (PDF, 10.21 MB) |
Have your say
We are seeking feedback on building a fishway at Tilpa Weir (No. 24) on the Darling River.
More information
Public notices for the public exhibition periods with links to the species impact statements can be found on the following Council websites:
- Central Darling Shire Council: Tilpa Weir – Public exhibition will run from Friday 19 June 2026 to Sunday 19 July 2026
- Cobar Shire Council: Tilpa Weir Fishway – Public exhibition will run from Friday 19 June 2026 to Sunday 19 July 2026
To make a submission, email water.enquiries@dcceew.nsw.gov.au.
Submissions will be considered as part of 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) |
Subscribe for updates
To be notified of the details of future engagement activities for the project subscribe to the mailing list.
Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at water.enquries@dcceew.nsw.gov.au