On this page:
The Lower Murray Water (LMW) Sunraysia Water Efficiency Project (SWEP) is an irrigation modernisation project which will recover water by reducing losses from water delivery infrastructure in the Sunraysia Irrigation Districts of Mildura, Merbein and Red Cliffs.
This work will help achieve an additional 1.8 GL of long-term water recovery to support environmental flows in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Any additional water recovery achieved above 1.8 GL is to be allocated on a 50:50 basis to deliver water for Traditional Owners and improved urban water security to LMW customers in Mallee towns.
2022-2023 Independent audit of long-term water recovery
The 2023 audit for the LMW SWEP has verified the long-term water recovery achieved as of August 2023. The completed irrigation modernisation works have achieved 314 ML of long-term water recovery.
The audit was undertaken by independent auditor HARC Services Pty Ltd.
2024-2025 Independent audit of long-term water recovery
The 2025 audit for the LMW SWEP has verified the long-term water recovery achieved from works completed and commissioned between 31 August 2023 and August 2025. The completed irrigation modernisation works have achieved 1,550 ML of long-term water recovery.
Victoria will transfer 1,500 ML of this long-term water recovery to the CEWH by 30 June 2026. This is the second (and final) instalment of a total of 1,800 ML of water recovery committed to the Australian Government. A first instalment of 300 ML was made to the Australian Government in April 2024.
The audit was undertaken by independent auditor HARC Services Pty Ltd.
System and process
The auditor was satisfied that LMW SWEP had completed the works claimed in the calculations. The auditor attests that 1,550 ML of long-term water recovery has been accurately calculated in accordance with the water savings protocol.
This is in addition to 314 ML of long-term water recovery from LMW SWEP that was previously audited in 2023.
Read the audit reports
Page last updated: 27/04/26