A protest camp established by the Friends of Nyah-Vinifera Park (FONVP) has entered its sixth week along the Murray River, 20 kilometres northwest of Swan Hill in northern Victoria. The group is opposing the Victorian Murray Flood Plains Restoration Project, which aims to return water to nine high-value flood plains along the river.
FONVP chair Nicole McKay expressed concerns that the project would disturb the region's ecosystem, questioning the environmental benefits. She asked, "How can this be an environmental project if it's going to have a likelihood of stagnant water that kills plants and animals?" The group advocates for pausing the Nyah-Vinifera portion of the project and instead relaxing constraints on the Murray River to allow more natural flows. McKay stated, "We want the river to be allowed to flow at about 20 to 25,000 megalitres for six weeks in spring."
In contrast, Lower Murray Water managing director Paul Northey defended the project as the "only viable option" to protect the land. He noted that extensive environmental approvals and cultural heritage work have been completed to minimize impacts. Northey emphasized the challenges of relying on fixed infrastructure given the unpredictability of environmental conditions over the next several decades.
The protest highlights ongoing tensions between traditional owners, local communities, and government agencies over environmental management and water flow strategies along the Murray River.
Loading comments.