Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration referral: Lindsay Island and Wallpolla Island

Overview

The Lindsay Island and Wallpolla Island restoration projects were referred to the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project Standing Inquiry and Advisory Committee on 5 June 2026.

The EES West projects (Lindsay Island and Wallpolla Island) aim to restore more natural watering to approximately 8,950 hectares of high ecological-value Murray River floodplain.

The proposed construction works would install infrastructure required to facilitate managed watering events. Once operational, these events would mimic the timing and extent of natural flood events in a controlled manner, supporting the long-term health of flood dependent plants and animals.

The works for these projects include:

• construction of containment banks
• large and small regulators
• culverts
• temporary pump infrastructure and pipeline alignments
• upgrades to existing access tracks and new access tracks
• a drop structure and channel
• installation of traffic management gates (Wallawalla Causeway) for road closures during inundation events.

Lower Murray Water is the project proponent for both projects.

The committee is asked to advise the Minister for Planning on the environmental effects of the two projects.

Inquiry and advisory committee members

• Tim Hellsten (Chair)
• Michael Ballock
• Chris McAuley
• Lachlan Wilkinson
• Ian Hamm

Directions and public hearing

The Committee will hold a Directions Hearing at 10.00am on Monday 17 August 2026.

The Committee will hold a public hearing starting on Monday 14 September 2026 and will run for two to three weeks.

For information about attending the Directions Hearing and Public hearing in person or online, please visit Engage Victoria (https://engage.vic.gov.au/VMFRP-SIAC-EES-West)

Documents

You may view and download the exhibited Environment Report (ER), documents and other related documents on the Proponent’s webpage.

Terms of reference

Letter of referral

Make a submission

Submissions to the Committee on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) can be made at Engage Victoria.

Make a submission

Need help putting together a submission?

Read our guide about submissions. The Guide to Presenting at an EES Hearing at Planning Panels Victoria also provides general information about EES Hearings and what to expect.

Legal Assistance Pilot Program

The Legal Assistance Service is a new 12-month pilot program for PPV hearings, offering no-cost or low-cost legal assistance to eligible submitters. The options for legal assistance can range from preliminary advice, review of documents and assistance with preparing submissions, and representation at a hearing. The scope of assistance and fee arrangements will be discussed directly with the barristers who will be engaged by direct brief.  Foley’s List is facilitating the pilot program.

The Legal Assistance Service aims to assist eligible participants in PPV processes. Foley’s List will discuss next steps directly with those who submit an enquiry form. Further information can be found on our Legal Assistance Service webpage.

More information

To find out more about the EES West assessment package and the proposed Lindsay Island Floodplain Restoration Project and Wallpolla Island Floodplain Restoration Project contact:

Lower Murray Water
Phone: 1800 808 830
Email: info@vmfrp.vic.gov.au
Website: www.vmfrp.com.au

For more information about the Minister's Assessment and Environment Report process contact:

Impact Assessment Unit
Department of Transport and Planning
Email: environment.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au

Accessibility and assistance

Deaf, hearing or speech impaired? Please contact the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au

Page last updated: 07/08/26