Reconnecting River Country Program · NSW
Murrumbidgee flow easement valuations
Independent valuation advice for landholders considering a flow easement or compensation offer under the Murrumbidgee Project.
Review a proposed easement, understand your offer and assess the impact on your property with our NSW valuation team.
The Murrumbidgee Project
What could it mean for your land?
The Reconnecting River Country Program seeks agreements with affected landholders to enable higher environmental flows. Phase 1 negotiations focus on the corridor between Darlington Point and Balranald, including rural areas around Carrathool, Hay and Maude.
A proposed flow easement can affect more than the area shown on a plan. Its terms, expected inundation and implications for access and ongoing land use need to be considered together.
The program is also offering deeds of release to selected landholders with minimal inundation impacts. The type of agreement and its implications should be reviewed for your property.
Understand the offer
Review the proposed agreement, supporting valuation and assumptions used to assess compensation.
Assess property impacts
Consider market evidence, the rights proposed and the effect on the holding as a whole, including the remaining land.
Support negotiations
Provide a reasoned valuation report and explain the evidence and calculations to you and your legal advisers.
A property-specific assessment
Look beyond the hectares affected.
Each holding is different. Our assessment is scoped to the proposed rights, the available evidence and the compensation basis relevant to your matter.
- The proposed easement area and terms.
- Modelled frequency, duration and extent of inundation.
- Impacts on access, fencing, infrastructure and land use.
- The effect on the value and utility of the remaining property.
- Relevant disturbance or business impacts, where applicable and supported by evidence.
We work with your solicitor and, where needed, specialist advisers. Hydrological assumptions and legal entitlements should be confirmed by the appropriate specialists.
Advice and fees
Considering independent advice
Landholders may wish to seek independent legal advice before deciding whether to accept an Invitation to Negotiate or proceed with a proposed agreement. Valuation advice can also help clarify the potential implications for a property.
Assistance with reasonable legal and valuation costs may be available under the Landholder Negotiation Scheme, subject to its conditions.
The scope and fees for any advice can be discussed with your chosen advisers. Eligibility for program assistance can be clarified with the program before costs are incurred.
Landholder questions
Before you decide.
Can I appoint my own valuer?
Yes. The program confirms that landholders can appoint their own valuation and legal advisers. An independent assessment can help you understand an offer and the evidence behind it.
Does a flow easement affect the property title?
An agreed inundation easement is registered on title. A deed of release is not registered on title. Both can have important consequences for future claims, so obtain legal advice on the actual terms before signing.
Are the negotiations voluntary?
The current negotiations are voluntary under the Landholder Negotiation Scheme. The program states that compulsory acquisition may be pursued as a last resort, subject to approval. Your solicitor can explain the process and your rights.
What should I send to Sovereign Valuations?
Start with the property address, Invitation to Negotiate, proposed easement plan or deed, inundation mapping, any compensation offer and supporting valuation. Tell us about access, infrastructure, farming operations and any response deadline.
Are you part of the NSW Government program?
No. Sovereign Valuations is an independent valuation firm. This page describes our services for landholders; it is not an official program page. We check for conflicts before accepting an engagement.
Sovereign Valuations
Received an offer or an invitation to negotiate?
Speak with Chris Shepherd and our NSW valuation team about your property, the proposed agreement and the advice you need.
Program information checked 20 October 2026. See the NSW Government's Murrumbidgee Project information, landholder negotiation guidance and negotiation assistance fact sheet for current details.
General information only. Compensation depends on the property, proposed rights, evidence and applicable framework. No compensation outcome or fee reimbursement is guaranteed.