Warrego–Paroo region

Overview

The Warrego–Paroo region is in the The Warrego River waterholes are north-west of the Basin. The Warrego a string of large, permanent and and Paroo Rivers begin in the intermittent waterholes covering Carnarvon Range, with floodplains about 500 ha along the river channel stretching across Queensland into in southern Queensland. They are New South Wales. also First Nations cultural sites.

There are more than 300,000 hectares The Warrego River is one of the only of wetlands in the Warrego catchment places in the Murray–Darling Basin including saline lakes, lignum swamps where silver perch breed naturally. and semi-permanent water holes. The Paroo River provides habitat for The Yantabulla Swamp and the many fish species, including golden Warrego River waterholes are among perch. 12 wetlands of national significance in the area. A large part of the local economy is driven by wool production and beef The Paroo River is ephemiral, and cattle. Cotton and horticultural crops only flows into the Darling River make up a small amount of irrigation following significant rainfall. in the region.

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Melbourne Warrego–Paroo region

Key information

The Warrego–Paroo region is sparsely populated and home to only about 0.4% of the population of the Murray–Darling Basin. Most For more than 25,000 years people live on large agricultural the Warrego–Paroo catchment holdings or in the towns of has held cultural and historic Charleville, Cunnamulla, Eulo and significance for First Nations Hungerford. communities and takes in, or borders, the traditional lands of the Bidjara, Budjiti, Gwamu/Kooma, Gunggari/ Annual rainfall is low, with averages Kungari, Kunja, Mandandanji, Mardigan of 200–400 mm across the region. and Murrawarri nations. Most of the rain falls in the north of the catchment in summer and autumn. Evaporation is high in the region.

Around the region

Lakes Numalla and Wyara within the The Allan Tannock Weir is on the Warrego 1 Currawinya National Park are wetlands of 3 River, 5km from Cunnamulla. It is has a international importance. Lake Numalla fixed crest spillway that holds 4,772 ML of holds fresh water but Lake Wyara’s water water. The scheme supplies irrigation for is saline. landholders along the ponded area of the weir and domestic water to Cunnamulla. Yantabulla Swamp is part of the 2 Cuttaburra Basin system, which covers The Allan Tannock Weir is part of an original more than 37,000 ha and sources its 4 stock route and was formerly known as water from the Cuttaburra Creek and Keane’s Crossing. Paroo River. It is the most important waterbird breeding site in north-west New South Wales.

Feature creature: Hyrtl’s tandan

Hyrtl’s tandan (Neosilurus hyrtlii) is a scaleless catfish also known as a yellow-finned catfish. It is nocturnal and survives by eating aquatic insects, microcrustaceans and molluscs. Like other catfish, it plays an important role in helping to keep insects and other creatures at a sustainable level.

Hyrtl’s tandan can reach up to 40 cm long and ranges in colour from a dark brown-grey to a pale yellowish brown. The hyrtl’s tandan is not widespread in the Basin but has been recorded in the Paroo, Warrego and Condamine rivers. Who does what in the Warrego–Paroo region

Queensland Government NSW Department of Planning, Industry and alloc ates water to entitlement holders, Environment (DPIE) – 1300 361 967 coordinates delivery of water for the manages allocated water for the environment environment, including adaptive environmental water licences held by the develops and implements water resource NSW Government plans. DPIE Water determines the volume of water available for allocation to towns, water users Queensland Department of Environment and Science – and the environment each year. 13 74 68 protects and manages parks, enhances Murray–Darling Basin Authority ecosystems, protects significant heritage prepares, implements, monitors and reviews sites and works to mitigate impacts to the the integrated plan for the sustainable use of environment the Basin’s water resources

delivers expertise to protect and manage the operates the River Murray system and environment and natural resource base. delivers water to users on behalf of partner governments

Southern Queensland Landscapes — (07) 4620 0111 researches and monitors the quality and a non-governmental organisation managing quantity of Basin water resources and the and developing the natural resources of the condition of its associated rivers, wetlands southern Queensland region. and floodplains

creates and shares information about the New South Wales Government Basin’s water resources and dependent allocates water to entitlement holders, ecosystems. coordinates delivery of water for the environment Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder – develops and implements water resource (02) 6274 1111 plans. manages the Australian Government’s water entitlements and allocations of water for the environment. WaterNSW – 1300 662 077 operates and maintains dams and weirs to Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment enhance water supply and security. – 1800 803 772 responsible for efficiency programs and Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) – working with Basin states. 1800 633 362 responsible for compliance and enforcement of water management legislation in NSW.

Connect with us. Local connections The MDBA has offices in Adelaide, Albury–Wodonga Canberra, Goondiwindi, Griffith, Mildura, Murray Bridge, your nearest MDBA office is Goondiwindi Toowoomba, and regional engagement officers around the Basin. 72 Callandoon Street, QLD 4390 1800 230 067 we also have an office inToowoomba [email protected] 123 Margaret Street, QLD 4350 mdba.gov.au #1484-20210309v4