Refreshing Rivers

Improving health of inland rivers across New South Wales agricultural landscapes sustained by industry, farmer and community action

What is a ‘refreshed’ river?

Landholders we are working with share their responses:

"A river that is able to support a vibrant community of plants and animals, internal and external to the river."

"A river that is flowing freely, with a large and healthy biodiversity and nice diverse vegetation."

"A river that is allowed to move throughout the landscape because it’s not hemmed in, it’s protected, either by fencing or because of its location from the impacts of stock and feral animals."

"A river that is able to provide the cultural connection that people need and also socially enables people to feel good when they walk amongst it and can connect with it."

"A river that sustains the environment, the plants and animals that live in and around it."

The Refreshing Rivers Program

Our Vision: Improving waterway health through meaningful partnerships and collaboration

Our waterways have enormous ecological, cultural and economic significance and are the lifeblood of our land and communities. They are vital to agriculture and to the survival of threatened plants and animals.

Agriculture is our largest land use, and land management practices can have a significant impact on waterway health. There have been many successes over the past thirty years as landholders work to improve waterway health, but some challenges require an ongoing, collaborative effort, and that’s where Refreshing Rivers comes in.

The Refreshing Rivers Program works with and supports landholders. Together we can improve our waterways, bring back native fish and birds, and look after places for people and nature alongside productive landscapes.

Learn about how Upper Billabong landholders are protecting their waterways to support the endangered Southern Pygmy Perch, as part of the Refreshing Rivers Program.

Take action in your Target Area

We are working with landholders in the Murray-Riverina region of New South Wales (NSW) across three Target Areas: Central Billabong, Upper Billabong and the Riverina Highlands.

Click on the buttons or map to visit your region and learn about the actions you can take to improve waterway health.

Central Billabong Upper Billabong Riverina Highlands

Discover the natural value of your land!

Book your free Natural Capital Profile with the Refreshing Rivers team

Recognising and valuing your farm’s natural assets is a great first step towards making informed farm management decisions that can improve your productivity and profitability while also promoting biodiversity and the health of waterways on your property.

The Refreshing Rivers Program is offering a free service to work with landholders to better understand natural capital on their property.

Learn more Submit Expression of Interest

March 31, 2026

Upper Billabong

Success Story | Upper Billabong Citizen Science

We lacked information on the aquatic wildlife of the Upper Billabong catchment, so using Citizen Science - the Refreshing Rivers iNaturalist project and eDNA tests, we have gathered 1,672 observations across the catchment and also completed 9 eDNA profiles in local waterways.

LEARN MORE

March 30, 2026

Upper Billabong

Refreshing the Upper Billabong - Creek Connectivity and Understorey

Courtesy of the Refreshing Upper Billabong project, we have a limited number of tubestock suitable for planting both instream and along creek banks to reduce erosion and create habitat.

LEARN MORE

March 29, 2026

Upper Billabong

Refreshing the Upper Billabong - refuge pools

Extreme low flows are pushing refuge pools to their limits. Heat, sediment, salinity and stock impacts are degrading water quality and threatening native fish. This article outlines what’s causing it and practical steps we can take to protect our waterways.

LEARN MORE

March 29, 2026