World Wetlands Day: Bringing Wetlands Back to Life
The Murraylands and Riverland region is home to some of the most ecologically and culturally significant wetland systems along the River Murray. To celebrate World Wetlands Day on 2 February, we’re shining a spotlight on the Murtho-Wiela Wetland Complex, long considered a high value environmental asset for the region – and an example of how commitment, collaboration, and environmental water can bring landscapes back to life.
From engagement to first flows
The Murtho Wiela Wetland Complex, located in the Riverland, contains a rich mix of wetland types and vegetation communities, supporting several threatened species. Building on the success of environmental watering projects elsewhere in the complex, landholders were first engaged in 2019 to explore the potential benefits of restoring a series of temporary wetlands.
With support from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, water was delivered to the property for the first time in 2020. Millewa Pumping were engaged to undertake the delivery, using metered relocatable pumps. Two sites were targeted: Murtho Park Flats and the Murtho Wiela Connector, together covering approximately 32 hectares – roughly the equivalent of 16 AFL ovals.
Both sites sit higher on the floodplain than the current normal river level, only receiving water during flooding events. To maintain their ecological health, environmental water is delivered by pumping between floods – helping improve wetland condition and providing essential habitat for a wide range of wetland dependent plants and animals such as the nationally threatened southern bell frog (Ranoidea raniformis), regent parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus) and over 35 waterbird species.
Without environmental water, the wetlands would struggle to survive, putting threatened wetland species at risk.
Thriving after consecutive years of watering
Fast forward to today, and Murtho Park Flats and the Murtho-Wiela Connector are teeming with life after 6 years of consecutive environmental watering, including one large natural flood in 2022-23.
Since environmental watering began in 2020, there has been a noticeable increase in the diversity and abundance of wetland plant species. This flourishing vegetation provides important habitat and food resources for a variety of animals.
Following each watering event, the wetlands come alive with hundreds of waterbirds. Surveys have recorded a diverse mix of species, including:
- Wading species, such as herons and dotterels
- Fish eating birds including pelicans and cormorants
- Multiple duck and grebe species
- Species of conservation significance including the glossy ibis and regent parrot.
Long term change captured through monitoring
Photopoint locations were established around both basins to document long term changes in vegetation, structure, and water quality. The Murtho Park Flats and Murtho-Wiela Connector photopoints have shown marked improvement since environmental watering began, including increased vegetation cover and greater species diversity.
In partnership with the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC), Aboriginal Water Assessments were conducted at different phases of wetland management. These events have been a great way to link culture with science and connect to Country. The contribution from RMMAC Rangers and Cultural Heritage Officers have helped shape the way water is managed at Murtho and improve infrastructure to better manage the site.
Supporting a vulnerable frog species
In 2025-26, environmental water was pumped into both basins and carefully managed to create the best possible conditions for the vulnerable southern bell frog.
A frog survey in November 2025 heard more than 50 southern bell frogs, the most ever recorded calling on this site! Follow up tadpole surveys confirmed that the adaptive water management supported successful breeding, with many southern bell frog babies found across the site.
Looking to the future
The collaboration between all partners continues to spring new ideas on how to tweak the water regimes and achieve better outcomes. Opportunities have been identified in collaboration with RMMAC and the landholders to support culturally significant sites and significant trees, trial alternative water regimes and alter infrastructure to increase flexibility of watering. Exciting things to come!
This initiative is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the Australian Government’s National Heritage Trust and the landscape levies, and the environmental water was provided by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
