In 2013 the land and associated water rights of the Nimmie-Caira irrigation area were purchased under a Heads of Agreement between the Australian and NSW Governments. The 85,000 Ha site is located in the Lowbidgee area of NSW and abuts the Murrumbidgee River and Yanga National Park. The Nimmie Caira contains extensive water bird rookeries, wetlands and redgum forests together with significant cultural values. The irrigation area and water rights were purchased to protect, maintain and enhance the Nimmie-Caira environment, relax constraints to water delivery and help “bridge the gap” to Sustainable Diversion Limits in the Murrumbidgee Valley. The land has been retained by the NSW Government while the water entitlements have returned to the Australian Government as part of the (Murray Darling) Basin Plan implementation. A suitable future land manager, comprising a non-government entity (NGE) will be appointed to provide the long-term management of the property based on an agreed Land and Water Management Plan (LWMP). The LWMP provides direction to the NGE on agreed outcomes sought by investors and stakeholders in the Nimmie Caira.  Over 300 individual works, including the removal of embankments and installation of regulators will be required to convert the irrigation infrastructure into that required to protect, maintain and enhance the ecological and cultural values of the site.