The progress of the proposed Wilcannia Weir replacement continues to stall, as community members await notice of appointments to an independent panel.

Central Darling Shire Administrator Mr Bob Stewart reported to the August meeting that no decision had been made by the NSW Government about who would form the Independent Review Panel for the proposed changes to Wilcannia Weir.

“Department of Planning and Environment (Water) communicated some months ago that an independent review of the original design of the Wilcannia weir would commence,” Mr Stewart reported.

“Several names were recommended to the department by the community to form membership of the Independent Review Panel.

“Council understands, from recent communications with the Water Minister’s Office, that negotiations are in progress with potential candidates and no decision has been made on the appointments to the Independent Review Panel.”

The Minister for Water, Rose Jackson promised the community an independent review when she visited Wilcannia on June 26, 2024.

This came on the back of outrage by locals, when the design plans for the weir abruptly changed, without consultation.

In March 2024 the town gathered question the Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Water and Energy's project team. Those in attendance told the department that the original plan was universally accepted, and changes made without consultation were rejected by the community.

At the time, Tilpa grazier and Australian Floodplain Association chair Justin McClure told the ABC the town wanted the government to fix the design.

“"The community is very, very angry," he said. "They don't want it — take it back, fix it, come and talk to us and build the structure that we want."

The town hall meeting told the department representatives that crucial elements of the proposed weir design had been lost, including extra three foot for storage, a gate so that water could regularly be let go if need be, and water under the bridge to greet visitors when they came through town. A rock fishway was also something the community said was vital in order to ensure fish migration in the river.

The Wilcannia Weir Replacement Project is currently paused, pending the completion of an independent review into the environmental impacts, along with the safety and operational concerns that led to the department’s Water Group proposing a new design for the weir.

Described by the NSW Government as the largest investment in water infrastructure along the Darling-Baaka River in decades, the $76 million Wilcannia Weir Replacement Project seeks to improve water security for Wilcannia.

The government says the project will “enhance cultural connection to the river for local communities and deliver improved native fish migration along the river system, by constructing a new weir and fishway downstream of the existing failed weir.”