This article investigated the extent to which environmental flows have been delivered in the upper Murrumbidgee River in southern-eastern Australia from 2005 to 2022. Environmental releases were below the 27-GL annual target in 10 of the 15 years from 2008 to 2022. Opportunities for improvement include setting enforceable targets, ensuring independent scientific oversight and implementing a flow response monitoring program.

Our evaluation of wetland conservation mechanisms in the Commonwealth and three major states in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin showed implementation challenges across different scales and jurisdictions. For greater consistency and cooperation, we recommend reviewing freshwater conservation policy integration pathways among jurisdictions examined. Setting pragmatic targets and explicit implementation strategies is important for improvement in wetland conservation and effective climate adaptation efforts.