Traffic changes are in place along Gonn Road, Gonn, southeast of Sandy Bridge Rd while work is underway to replace the Little Barbers Creek offtake regulator, The works will enable more efficient delivery of water into Little Barbers Creek. See the Project status update below for more information.
Part of the NSW Government’s Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) Acceleration Program, the Koondrook-Perricoota Forest Project aims to reduce impacts of environmental water releases on landholders adjacent to the forest, allowing greater volumes of water to be delivered into the forest.
About the forest
Located on the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa people, the Koondrook-Perricoota Forest is an extensive forest of river red gums and woodlands. It covers approximately 33,750 hectares along the Murray River south-west of Deniliquin in the Riverina region of southern NSW.
It is the second-largest red gum forest in Australia and is recognised as a wetland of international importance. The forest’s wetlands and floodplains provide habitat for many species of plants, fish, reptiles, birds and marsupials, including endangered species such as the Southern bell frog. The forest is also valued for its cultural heritage and its economic and recreational uses.
Before river regulation was introduced in the early 1900s, the Koondrook-Perricoota Forest experienced regular flooding for 3 to 5 months once every 4 years. In more recent times the flood frequency is approximately once every 12 years (with the exception of 2022/23). This change has meant a decline in both the productivity of the wetland and the health of the ecosystem.
About the project
The project builds on previous infrastructure works completed in the forest from 2010 to 2014. These works aimed to recreate, using relatively low flows, large environmental watering events in the forest. These events would otherwise require significant flows in the Murray River resulting in a range of impacts to property and private infrastructure adjacent to and downstream of the forest.
Rectifying these impacts will enable greater volumes of water to be delivered into the forest allowing inundation of at least 30 per cent of the river red gum forest. This will create increased breeding opportunities for thousands of native water birds, as well as improved conditions for native fish in the wetlands.
Project status
Temporary lane changes and speed limit reduction along Gonn Road, Gonn
Traffic changes will be in place along Gonn Road while work is underway to replace the Little Barbers Creek offtake regulator, starting in late September 2025.
Traffic will be impacted along approximately 2 km of Gonn Road, southeast of Sandy Bridge Road. Works will continue through to early 2026.
The road will remain open, but traffic impacts may include:
- temporary speed limit adjustments
- lane closures, with traffic being diverted onto temporary bypass roads
- various traffic control measures such as signage, traffic lights and traffic controllers.
The changes to traffic conditions are necessary for the safety of workers and the wider community as we replace the obsolete infrastructure. We appreciate the communities’ patience and cooperation during this time.
Traffic conditions will change as the work progresses. Stay up to date by visiting the Murray River Council website.
Shear Paddock levee
Construction is progressing on 5.9 km of earthen levee at Shear Paddock near Womboota to better protect private property from impacts associated with the watering events. The levee is set for completion in 2025.
Some early works for the project have already been completed, including the removal and replacement of Sandy Bridge over Barbers Creek.
Project details
The project includes the:
- construction of 5.9 km of critical levees enabling higher flows to be delivered via the existing The Living Murray offtake channel
- removal and replacement of Sandy Bridge (over Barbers Creek) to allow increased load limits (completed in early 2024)
- removal and replacement of the Woodara and Widderin block banks with structures enabling higher passing flows
- replacement of the Bookit and Merribit regulators enabling the passing of increased flows with additional operational flexibility and fish passage
- replacement of the Little Barbers Creek offtake regulator (culvert) to increase capacity and enable higher passing flows
- construction of the Horseshoe Lagoon and Merangatuk culverts
- replacement of the Thule Lagoon regulator to protect private property and increase efficiency of environmental water delivery.
These works will enable flows of 2,000 ML/day out of the Barbers Creeks system and 1,000 ML/day out of the Thule Creek system downstream of the forest boundary while minimising impacts on landholders
Project benefits include:
The project will complement and complete the previous works done in the forest from 2010 to 2014 to realise benefits including:
- improved forest ecosystem
- improved native fish habitat
- enhanced tourism opportunities
- enhanced recreational opportunities
- improved community connection to healthier Country.
Stakeholder and community engagement
The Water Group is working closely with the Koondrook Perricoota Alliance, Wakool Rivers Association, Western Murray Land Improvement Group and other key stakeholders who are at the heart of the project.
We have engaged extensively with communities and stakeholders to progress the project through the planning and design phases. We will continue to keep communities and stakeholders informed as the project moves into construction.
Upcoming engagement opportunities will be listed on this webpage and on our have your say page.
Engagement with First Nations people
We recognise and acknowledge the unique relationship, understanding and deep Connection-to-Country First Nations people have as the Traditional Owners and first peoples of Australia, and this plays a crucial role in informing our approach to the project.
We have worked closely with First Nations communities to complete Aboriginal cultural heritage studies of the project sites and we will have First Nations representatives on site during construction to monitor works and ensure cultural artefacts are preserved and protected.
Environmental planning and assessments
View the project's Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation [Clause 171(4)] publications.
Report
Review of Environmental Factors: Koondrook-Perricoota Forest Project - Block Banks and Culverts.
Report
Review of Environmental Factors: Koondrook-Perricoota Forest Project Regulators.
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Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at water.enquiries@dcceew.nsw.gov.au