Macquarie–Castlereagh region

Overview

The Macquarie–Castlereagh region is First Nations within the catchment around 7.3 million hectares — about include Wiradjuri, Ngemba 7% of the Murray–Darling Basin. and Ngiyampaa, Wailwan and Macquarie is 960 km long, the Gamilaroi. Castlereagh 549 km and the Bogan 590 km. Burrendong and Windemere dams are popular for camping and The catchments support a range recreational fishing occurs along of ecosystems, forests, woodlands, the Windemere, Macquarie, Bogan wetlands and grasslands, in temperate and Castlereagh . and semi-arid environments. Internationally significant wetlands More than 80% of the catchment include the Macquarie Marshes and is used for agriculture and less the privately owned Wilgara Wetland than 5% is irrigated. Dryland and Mole Creek. cereal production, sheep and cattle livestock grazing are the Local communities rely on the main forms of agriculture. rivers for drinking water and water restrictions are widespread during drought.

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VICTORIA Melbourne Macquarie–Castlereagh region

Key information

The region supports a population of around 200,000 — about 9% of the Murray–Darling Basin.

Around 25% of agricultural production relies on irrigation and the largest irrigated crop is cotton that uses water downstream of Dubbo. Other irrigated crops include lucerne, cereals, oilseed, Many communities across wheat, vegetables and fruit. the region have significant First Nations populations, with First Nations people accounting The Macquarie and Castlereagh for 30% of Coonamble and 13.2% of catchments have a dry semi-arid Dubbo’s population. climate. Average annual rainfall in the Macquarie catchment ranges from more than 1,300 mm in the south-east to around 300 mm in the north-west.

Around the region

The Macquarie Marshes are Lake Canobolas was built as a 1 internationally recognised and home to 5 reservoir in 1918 for Orange but by 233 bird species, 29 mammal species, 1957 the lake was no longer large 15 frog species, 60 reptile species and enough to support the town. The Lake 11 native fish species. is now an important recreational area for the community and is home to Murray cod, silver perch, golden perch The Macquarie Marshes cover and large numbers of redfin perch. 2 200,000 hectares – about 10% is managed for conservation in areas such as national parks. Significant wetland areas are located outside the nature Feature creature: reserve on private land, including Yellow–billed spoonbill extensive river red gum woodlands and large waterbird rookeries.

Albert Priest Channel is an open canal 3 that supplies regulated water from via the Macquarie River to Nyngan and Cobar by a pipeline from Nyngan. The Canal extends from the Gunningbar Creek (near Warren) for 60 km to the at Nyngan and a further 140 km from Nyngan to Cobar.

Windemere Dam is on the Cudgegong The yellow-billed spoonbill (Platalea flavipes) 4 River and has a storage capacity of lives in wetlands where it uses its bill to scoop up 368,120 megalitres. It has only been insects and other aquatic creatures from muddy full twice since construction finished in water. Like all members of the ibis and spoonbill 1984. It provides town water to Mudgee family, it flies with its head extended and plays a and and water to irrigators key role in helping to keep insect populations at along the . A 55 m high a sustainable level. In breeding season, its yellow control tower and variable level inlets face is lined with black and black-tipped outer controls temperature and quality of wing plumes appear. It typically nests twice a water released from the dam. year when there is plenty of water. Who does what in the Macquarie–Castlereagh region

Central Tablelands and Central West Local Land Service Murray–Darling Basin Authority (LLS) – 1300 795 299 prepares, implements, monitors and reviews delivers services to improve primary the integrated plan for the sustainable use of production and assists rural and regional the Basin’s water resources communities to be profitable and sustainable. operates the River Murray system and delivers water to users on behalf of partner New South Wales Government governments allocates water to entitlement holders, coordinates delivery of water for the researches and monitors the quality and environment quantity of Basin water resources and the condition of its associated rivers, wetlands develops and implements water resource and floodplains plans. creates and shares information about the Basin’s water resources and dependent WaterNSW – 1300 662 077 ecosystems. operates and maintains dams and weirs to enhance water supply and security. Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder – (02) 6274 1111 Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) – manages the Australian Government’s water 1800 633 362 entitlements and allocations of water for the responsible for compliance and environment. enforcement of water management legislation in NSW. Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment – 1800 803 772 NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries – responsible for efficiency programs and 1300 550 474 working with Basin states. oversees the management of fisheries including compliance, threatened species and habitat management.

NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) – 1300 361 967 manages allocated water for the environment, including adaptive environmental water licences held by the NSW Government

DPIE Water determines the volume of water available for allocation to towns, water users and the environment each year.

Connect with us. Local connection 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 123 Margaret Street, QLD 4350 [email protected] mdba.gov.au #1484-20210211v4