Arabic version: المحكمة الفيدرالية تؤيد الموافقة على مشروع استعادة سهل نيا

The Federal Court has dismissed a legal challenge against the Nyah Floodplain Restoration Project, allowing it to proceed. According to ABC News, the court found no legal errors in the Commonwealth’s approval of the project, which aims to improve environmental management in a floodplain area of north-west Victoria.

The Friends of Nyah-Vinifera Park, a community group, had argued that the project failed to adequately consider alternatives and could cause lasting ecological harm. Their concerns centered on the potential destruction of habitats for the regent parrot, a threatened species, due to the installation of levees and water management structures.

Despite these concerns, the court ruled that the decision to approve the project was lawful. The Nyah Floodplain Restoration Project is part of a broader initiative designed to manage water flow in the region, which includes the construction of containment gates and regulators. These works are set to begin in May and are expected to last until the end of the year.

Environmental Justice Australia, which supported the Friends of Nyah-Vinifera Park, expressed disappointment with the ruling. They emphasized that the court’s decision did not address the ecological and social implications of the project, raising questions about its long-term benefits for the local environment and communities.

Lower Murray Water’s managing director, Paul Northey, stated that action was necessary to protect native species in the area, as reduced natural flooding has left parts of the floodplain damaged. While construction may cause temporary disruptions, he assured the community that popular recreation areas would remain accessible during the works.