NSW Murray Wetlands project wins $100,000

A river management project initiated by the NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group (MWWG) has won the $100,000 National Thiess Riverprize.

NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group Chair Howard Jones said the project demonstrated how regional communities can achieve success in managing waterways and catchments.

"Since the NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group was established in 1992, it has successfully delivered 75,000 megalitres of water to more than 200 wetlands over 71,000 hectares in the Murray and Lower Murray-Darling catchments," Jones said.

"The group developed a number of grant schemes to provide individual landowners, community groups and government agencies with financial assistance to manage and rehabilitate natural wetlands. On-ground works included fencing, revegetation and minor earthworks to rehabilitate privately owned and public wetlands.

"Our aim has been to develop and implement well-researched, technically sound and community-endorsed wetland management programs. Receiving the National Thiess Riverprize endorses our approach and verifies the importance of all landholders, irrigators and communities who played an active and vital role in environmental flow management."

The group will use the prize money to continue managing and improving wetlands through on-ground works, education, community engagement and monitoring.