Reconnecting River Country Program
Has your property been identified as part of the Reconnecting River Country Program- Murrumbidgee?
If you have received correspondence regarding the Landholder Negotiation Scheme for a flow or inundation easement under the Reconnecting River Country Program, Rely Legal can provide legal advice before you sign anything, guide you through the process, and represent you at every stage.
Receiving a notice that your land may be affected by a major water program is deeply unsettling and can raise a lot of questions about your options, your rights, and your compensation. We advocate for landholders throughout negotiations to help ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
As a firm working exclusively in compulsory acquisitions and property law, we bring focused, experienced advice to every stage of your matter.
Reconnecting River Country Program Details
The Reconnecting River Country Program – Murrumbidgee Project
The Murrumbidgee Project covers the Murrumbidgee River from Burrinjuck Dam to its junction with the River Murray. It is being delivered in two phases under the Reconnecting River Country Program. Phase 1 focuses on voluntary agreements with affected landholders between Darlington Point and Balranald under the Landholder Negotiation Scheme. Phase 2 is proposed to secure the full flow corridor, subject to further government funding.
Phase 1 (Current)
Phase 1 focuses on reaching voluntary agreements with landowners between Darlington Point and Balranald.
- Balranald, NSW
- Oxley, NSW
- Maude, NSW
- Hay, NSW
- Carrathool, NSW
- Willbriggie, NSW
- Darlington Point, NSW
Phase 2 (2027–2031)
Phase 2 is proposed to run from 2027 to 2031, with negotiations for landholders outside the Phase 1 area expected to commence after December 2026, subject to Basin Plan continuation and additional government funding.
Areas Impacted by the Reconnecting River Country Program:
Landowners, tenants and businesses in the following areas may be subject to compulsory acquisition or a construction lease as part of the Reconnecting River Country Program:
- Balranald, NSW
- Oxley, NSW
- Maude, NSW
- Hay, NSW
- Carrathool, NSW
- Willbriggie, NSW
- Darlington Point, NSW
If your property is in or near these areas and you have received or expect to receive a compulsory acquisition notice, contact Rely Legal for a free initial, no-obligation consultation.
Legal and Valuation Costs
We can write to the Ministerial Corporation on your behalf to confirm your position on legal and valuation costs before you enter negotiations, so you know where you stand before any costs are incurred.
How We Help
Rely Legal is a Sydney-based law firm working exclusively in compulsory land acquisitions and property law. We act for landowners, tenants and businesses affected by the Reconnecting River Country Program's Murrumbidgee Project, guiding you through every stage of the Landholder Negotiation Scheme and, if it were to arise, the compulsory acquisition process.
We act exclusively for landowners and never for acquiring authorities, so our advice is focused solely on protecting your rights and your compensation. From the point you're first contacted regarding negotiations through to reaching an agreement, we protect your interests at every step.
Contact Principal Solicitor Amanda Duhigg for a free initial, no-obligation consultation.
Amanda Duhigg, Principal Solicitor
02 8215 1552
0494 565 875
amanda@relylegal.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Title Goes Here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
What is the Reconnecting River Country Program?
The Reconnecting River Country Program is an Australian Government funded initiative under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. It is delivering the Murrumbidgee Project, which involves increasing environmental water flows to wetlands and floodplains along the Murrumbidgee River, affecting landholders in the flow corridor.
What is the Landholder Negotiation Scheme?
The Landholder Negotiation Scheme (LNS) is a voluntary negotiation process for landholders affected by the Reconnecting River Country Program.
What towns are in the Reconnecting River Country Program Phase 1 area?
Phase 1 of the Reconnecting River Country Program's Murrumbidgee Project covers the area between Darlington Point and Balranald, including Balranald, Willbriggie, Carrathool, Hay, Hay South, Maude, Oxley and Darlington Point.
Will my legal and valuation costs be covered under the Landholder Negotiation Scheme?
Before you enter negotiations, we can confirm your position on legal and valuation costs by writing to the Ministerial Corporation on your behalf, so you have certainty before any costs are incurred.
What is an inundation easement?
An inundation easement is an interest in land that permits inundation from environmental water flows under the Reconnecting River Country Program.
How can Rely Legal help with the Reconnecting River Country Program?
Rely Legal acts exclusively for landowners, never for acquiring authorities, in matters relating to the Reconnecting River Country Program and the Landholder Negotiation Scheme. We guide you through every step from the point you're first contacted about negotiations through to reaching an agreement.
We're Here
To Help
Outline your situation in our form, and we will get in touch to advise how we can help, otherwise you can book a free consultation now.