SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW)

The 2022-23 River Murray floods caused significant damage in South Australia, impacting over 4,000 hectares of farmland, 3,500 homes, and key infrastructure, including levees along the Lower Murray. The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) manages critical South Australian River Murray assets, including regulators, fishways, levees, disposal basins, and river vessel waste disposal stations. The scale of the 2022-23 floods highlighted an opportunity for DEW to build on its existing systems by developing an adaptive flow management plan for high-flow and flood events.

In 2024, DEW engaged BMCG to support this work, capturing lessons learned and strengthening preparedness for future high-flow and flood events. The resulting framework is designed to integrate with DEW’s existing systems and evolve as they are reviewed and updated. BMCG has worked closely with DEW and its stakeholders to identify what worked well, address key challenges, and ensure the plan is practical, relevant, and flexible.

The new adaptive management plan will guide river operations during non-standard flows. It will help operators to maintain essential services, meet legal obligations, and make operational decisions during high-pressure situations. By balancing environmental, community, and operational needs, the plan provides a strong foundation for managing future high-flow and flood events.

SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW)

BMCG was engaged by the SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW) to support the development of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) for Phase 2 of the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin (HCHB) program.

In 2024, the Australian and South Australian governments announced a joint investment to advance Phase 2 of the HCHB program.  With a key deliverable of Phase 2 being a Final Business Case, DEW engaged BMCG to collaborate on preparing a detailed delivery plan to scope and plan the work appropriately.

BMCG held workshops with DEW and reviewed information before scoping and scheduling the Phase 2 Coorong Infrastructure Investigations Program (CIIP).  BMCG’s deliverables will inform the Phase 2 PIP and provide a strong foundation for the team to deliver this significant program effectively and efficiently.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation

The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Automation Finalisation (MIAF) project was funded through the Commonwealth's Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program. It continued the ongoing modernisation of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation network by rationalising, integrating, and automating over 1,000 water delivery assets.

The project was completed in April 2025. As part of its final milestone under the Funding Agreement, Murrumbidgee Irrigation was required to submit a Final Report, including a project evaluation, to the Department for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

BMCG was engaged in late 2024 to carry out this evaluation. The team undertook an assessment of the project against the original proposal and documented key learnings to inform future projects.

BMCG delivered a Final Project Report for submission to the state government and prepared a technical memorandum for the client, outlining the lessons learnt and areas for improvement for similar projects in the future.

Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC)

Australia’s inland water markets, policies, and regulations form a complex and evolving system amid growing environmental and climate pressures. The intersection of Federal and State frameworks poses significant challenges for First Nations peoples seeking water rights, stewardship under their laws and customs, and meaningful participation in the inland water economy.

In 2024, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) engaged BMCG to develop a strategy and companion publication aimed at strengthening First Nations leadership in the inland water sector. This initiative aligns with the ILSC’s National Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy 2023–2028 (NILSS), which centres Country and culture in fostering a self-determined First Nations economy.

BMCG’s role included identifying strategic partnerships, investment opportunities, and priority actions to guide the ILSC’s inland water initiatives under the Future Industries program. The project involved extensive engagement with ILSC staff and key Aboriginal partners and stakeholders nationwide, mapping challenges and emerging opportunities.

Through this process, BMCG identified 58 potential actions, refining them to 46 priorities aligned with NILSS and stakeholder input. These underpinned 11 strategic recommendations for the Future Industries Sector Leadership Action Plan to FY28, focusing on investment, policy, water rights, governance, and capacity building.

The Future Industries Initiatives and Inland Water strategy companion reader has been released, and the ILSC successfully achieved the design and launch of a supporting national grants program in May 2025.

Goyder Institute for Water Research

The Goyder Institute for Water Research is a collaborative partnership involving the South Australian Government (through the Department for Environment and Water), CSIRO, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia. Recently, the Institute updated its Strategic Plan for 2023-26 and, as part of this process, is seeking to better understand key opportunities for partnering with and supporting industry in South Australia.

BMCG was engaged to conduct a scoping project aimed at identifying and gaining a deeper understanding of:

- Existing and emerging industry opportunities in South Australia for collaboration with the Institute.

- Potential new industry opportunities in other states, particularly the Northern Territory.

- Based on these insights, providing advice on whether the Institute's initial focus should be targeted within one or two specific states or territories, and if so, which ones.

This work includes desktop research and engagement with a broad range of industry and research stakeholders, taking into account existing industry trends, policies, and emerging opportunities.

Willunga Basin Water (WBW) Company

The McLaren Vale region is one of Australia’s premium grape-growing and tourism areas. However, the region faces challenges due to limited access to secure, fit-for-purpose water for irrigation.

The McLaren Vale Irrigation Water Security Project (MVIWSP) aims to address this by providing additional storage for excess recycled water produced in the off-peak irrigation season (Winter) for use by irrigators in the on-peak irrigation season (Summer). This excess recycled water would otherwise be discharged to the Gulf St Vincent.

In 2022, as part of the Jacobs team, BMCG team members assessed future supply and demand for recycled water over a 30-year period. This analysis considered a range of climate scenarios.

Building on this work, BMCG was engaged in 2024 to develop the Phase 1 business case for the National Water Grid (NWG) Authority. The business case confirmed the need for the project and outlined its economic, environmental, and social benefits. It also demonstrated the project’s viability.

In 2025, BMCG was re-engaged to prepare the final detailed business case for construction funding from the NWG. BMCG is also providing project management and coordination support to the infrastructure operator, CoNEXA.

Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)

In 2024, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) engaged BMCG to prepare the Matter 3 report.

Matter 3 relates to Chapter 5 of the Basin Plan, specifically ‘the extent to which the Basin Plan has affected social, economic and environmental outcomes in the Basin’.  The Matter 3 report is part of the MDBA's statutory reporting obligations under Schedule 12 of the Basin Plan 2012. It will also inform the 2025 evaluation of the Basin Plan, with a line of sight to the Basin Plan review in 2026.

To prepare the report, BMCG analysed a wide range of information. This included publicly available reports and recently commissioned MDBA studies. We identified consistent themes, insights, and knowledge gaps across this evidence base, synthesising them into a clear and concise report to support the MDBA’s ongoing work.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far North

In 2025, Regional Development Australia Far North (RDA Far North) engaged BMCG to review domestic and community water supply arrangements across towns and localities in the region. Through this work, RDA Far North is striving to gain a deeper understanding of the water supply challenges in the region. Much of the area lies outside SA Water’s network, and many communities face difficulties accessing affordable, fit-for-purpose water. Multiple organisations are involved in managing water, adding to the complexity.

To develop the final report, BMCG conducted extensive desktop research across publicly available reports. In addition, two tailored surveys were developed to gain insights from both those who use water (including local residents, community groups and businesses) and those who manage it.  Interviews were conducted with water managers across the region to explore the findings further.

All findings were compiled into a report that identified key challenges and highlighted common themes across the Far North, as well as by selected localities.

Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA)

Across 2024 and 2025, BMCG were engaged by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) to support the development of the South Australian River Murray Communities Water Transition (SARMCWT) Program.

BMCG were engaged first to prepare a strategic business case for the SARMCWT Program, to be submitted to the Australian Government. As part of the development phase, BMCG designed and facilitated the delivery of stakeholder engagement activities (with state and local government, industry groups, and local irrigators), including surveys, interviews, and workshops. Insights gained informed the design of the Program. Alongside engagement insights, BMCG conducted research and incorporated economic analysis to create the final business case. This includes details regarding the SARMCWT Program's objectives, outcomes, governance, management, and delivery approach. BMCG worked iteratively with stakeholders across PIRSA and the broader South Australian government throughout this process.

BMCG is now preparing detailed project plans and funding applications for elements of the Program.

Watertrust Australia Ltd

Greater Adelaide is facing growing water security challenges driven by population growth and climate change. However, existing water governance arrangements (spanning legislation, policy, institutions, and funding) are not well-equipped to support Integrated Water Management (IWM). These limitations hinder the effective use of all water sources and the ability to invest sustainably in long-term solutions.

Addressing this issue is complex, as it involves numerous stakeholders and overlapping responsibilities. In response, SA Water and the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) have been exploring policy reforms to strengthen IWM in South Australia.

To support this work, Watertrust Australia initiated an independent project to identify alternative governance and policy options for Greater Adelaide. BMCG was engaged as part of an integrated team to deliver the project.

The project included extensive research and stakeholder engagement. It brought together state and local government, SA Water, community leaders, and industry experts through surveys, interviews, and interactive workshops. These activities helped build a shared understanding of the problem and shape potential reform pathways. Three possible governance options were further explored and assessed using a multi-criteria analysis to assess their strengths and trade-offs.

 The final report outlines a set of actionable pathways for improving IWM governance and advancing water security for the region.

Office of Hydrogen Power SA (OHPSA)

In 2024, BMCG was engaged by the Office of Hydrogen Power SA (OHPSA) to provide advisory services aimed at maximising industry participation in South Australia’s flagship hydrogen projects, including the Hydrogen Jobs Plan in Whyalla and the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub.

The engagement focused on developing engagement strategies that connected the projects with local communities, industry, Traditional Owners, First Nations businesses, and training providers. The goal was to deliver social, economic, cultural, environmental, and governance (ESG) outcomes aligned with the South Australian Industry Participation Policy (2023). BMCG’s tailored approach targeted four key objectives: social license, critical procurement pathways, ESG credentials, and benefit realisation. Over 14 months, BMCG provided services encompassing market analysis, procurement strategy, stakeholder engagement, industry participation pathways, contract framework advice, and evaluation.

Key initiatives included an Aboriginal Engagement Strategy to foster culturally safe participation, workforce preparedness programs to identify local training and career pathways, design and implementation of a job seeker pathway, initiatives to connect contractors with local supply chains and Aboriginal businesses.

BMCG also conducted a project evaluation to capture stakeholder feedback and inform future procurement and engagement strategies. This project demonstrates BMCG’s expertise in delivering strategic advice that supports ESG outcomes and maximises local industry participation in government-led infrastructure initiatives.

Office of Northern Water Delivery

In 2023, BMCG was engaged by the Office of Northern Water Delivery to provide industry participation, workforce skills and training advisory services for South Australia’s largest regional water infrastructure initiative. The Northern Water project aims to establish a climate-resilient water source for the Far North, Upper Spencer Gulf, and Eastern Eyre Peninsula regions, thereby supporting economic growth in key sectors such as green energy and hydrogen.

BMCG team members have supported the project from early feasibility activities through to planning, including technical studies, option assessments, environmental reviews, industry participation, and business case advisory services.

In collaboration with project partners, the team has supported the development of industry economic participation approaches, integrating project partners with local communities, businesses, and training organisations to progress social, economic, cultural, and environmental outcomes.

BMCG’s recent activities have included stakeholder engagement, coordination of community and industry events, procurement planning and advice, and the incorporation of regional insights, lessons, and stakeholder input to inform workforce skills and training approaches.

This project showcases BMCG’s expertise in providing strategic advice on industry engagement and participation for complex, large-scale government projects in sensitive regional environments.

3Rivers Joint Venture

SDLAM is a key program under the Basin Plan designed, through a range of infrastructure, policy and operational measures, to achieve similar or improved environmental outcomes using less water. BMCG team members have been involved in the program since 2020 as part of the 3Rivers Joint Venture (Jacobs and GHD), partnered with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

BMCG worked with 3Rivers, the NSW Government and stakeholders to support the progression of a number of packages under the program.

The Lower Murray: Locks 8 and 9 Project: This project aims to restore and enhance riverine habitat across the Frenchmans Creek, Carrs, Capitts and Bunberoo Creek systems through operational mechanisms, regulators, fishways and complementary works and measures.

BMCG supported 3Rivers and the NSW Government with project management and advisory services to support the progression of approvals, modelling, infrastructure designs and stakeholder engagement.

Jacobs and SA Water

In 2023, BMCG partnered with Jacobs to support SA Water in developing an adaptive plan for Greater Adelaide, as part of the state’s broader Integrated Water Management (IWM) strategy to address population growth and climate change risks.

The team provided a range of technical and advisory services, including the development of long-term water supply and demand projections under four plausible scenarios, which integrated climate, population, and usage variables. This work identified the timing and magnitude of future supply shortfalls across Greater Adelaide.

The team assessed intervention options, ranging from new infrastructure to demand management and developed intervention portfolios to address identified risks. These portfolios were stress-tested against drought scenarios to evaluate their resilience, cost, and timing.

Our methodology included scenario planning, stakeholder engagement, regional risk analysis, and evaluation of technical feasibility and costs. The approach informed SA Water’s planning framework, providing a clear basis for investment and adaptation decisions.

This project highlights BMCG’s strength in adaptive planning, risk and scenario modelling, and developing practical, future-focused water management solutions for government and utilities.

SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW)

In November 2023 the Australian parliament passed the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023. The Bill provides an extension of time, among other things, to complete sustainable diversion limit offset projects and recover the 450 gigalitres of water for the environment.

BMCG was engaged by the SA Department of Environment and Water to facilitate workshops with stakeholders in the Riverland and Murraylands to better understand any possible impacts and inform how best to design any future water recovery programs, deliver the proposed reforms, and support communities and industries to adjust and prosper.

BMCG prepared a report that summarised what was heard across the workshops and proposed next steps.