WAT387.0516F otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
Capeton Dam. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Dam. Capeton
environmental water environmental
Back cover: Mallowa area inundated by Commonwealth Commonwealth by inundated area Mallowa cover: Back
Cover: Gwydir Wetlands Gwydir Cover:
Photo by James Russell, Armidale Clontarf Academy Clontarf Armidale Russell, James by Photo
knowledge. (emu) tradition boys Academy Clontarf water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
Armidale the telling Wetlands Gwydir planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
the in Woodbridge Jacko Elder
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
local Traditional Above:
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continuing to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continuing
committees within the catchments and we are are we and catchments the within committees
regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Eco Logical Australia Logical Eco ■
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Land Local Tablelands Northern ■
Allowance Operational Advisory Committee Advisory Operational Allowance
Gwydir Environmental Contingency Contingency Environmental Gwydir ■
Industries – Fisheries Fisheries – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
WaterNSW ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17 Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Heritage
Station. Dromana Old on Wetlands
VALLEY VALLEY
New South Wales Office of Envir of Office Wales South New onment and and onment ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
Postal address: address: Postal
the Gwydir Valley including: Valley Gwydir the
GWYDIR RIVER RIVER GWYDIR E: [email protected] E:
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
389 210 0418 M:
@theCEWH
their cultures and to their elders both both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned, QLD Goondiwindi,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
We pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo W: Local engagement officer – – officer engagement Local
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
Millward Rosemary
E: [email protected] [email protected] E: knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
T: 1800 803 772 772 803 1800 T: water management involve local local involve management water
Australia’s traditional owners and and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The water locally. water
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
or offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer or
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Rosemary Millward to learn more about our work work our about more learn to Millward Rosemary Our partners Our Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
Gwydir River Gwydir floodplain of the lower Gwydir River, are across the Basin, and are culturally
South Wales Government on managing managing on Government Wales South greater environmental benefit. benefit. environmental greater Environmental water is among the most extensive and significant significant to local Aboriginal people.
2014-15. The committee that advises the New New the advises that committee The 2014-15.
trade (buy or sell water) for equal or or equal for water) sell or (buy trade ■ semi-permanent wetlands in north-west
Maintain the current extent of lignum
widespread inundation of wetland vegetation in in vegetation wetland of inundation widespread dedicated to improving New South Wales.
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) (‘carryover’) year water next the in use shrublands and improve their condition A drying sequence in 2013-14 was followed by by followed was 2013-14 in sequence drying A
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold
■ the health of our rivers, Commonwealth environmental water is in the Lower Gwydir.
2011-12. 2011-12. managed in partnership with state and local
demands Maintain the extent of non-woody
flooding across the lower Gwydir floodplains in in floodplains Gwydir lower the across flooding floodplains and delivery partners to improve connections use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ vegetation communities near or in bred in the wetlands in response to widespread widespread to response in wetlands the in bred between rivers, floodplains and wetlands,
wetlands, streams and on low-lying waterbirds (predominantly ibis and egrets) also also egrets) and ibis (predominantly waterbirds can agree to: agree can particularly, to those sites that support nationally
wetlands floodplains, particularly maintaining lifecycles. Large numbers of colonial nesting nesting colonial of numbers Large lifecycles. plants, birds and fish. and birds plants,
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental
marsh club-rush and water couch fish and frogs species at all stages in their their in stages all at species frogs and fish support the region’s unique native animals, animals, native unique region’s the support constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Gwydir River Valley contains diverse within the Gwydir Wetlands.
recovery of vegetation and supported native native supported and vegetation of recovery environmental watering will continue to to continue will watering environmental
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands
years of extended inundation saw the strong strong the saw inundation extended of years and rich environments. Its waterways are
This year, proposed Commonwealth Commonwealth proposed year, This of international or national significance. Maintain the current species diversity and domestic purposes. domestic and
rush and lignum shrubland. Three successive successive Three shrubland. lignum and rush a source of water supply for domestic We are also working toward the achievement and increase abundance of waterbirds Heritage, as well as water used for irrigation irrigation for used water as well as Heritage,
key plant species such as water couch-spike couch-spike water as such species plant key
watering event. watering water use, extensive agriculture and of environmental outcomes as outlined in by supporting breeding opportunities. South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South
condition of wetland vegetation, particularly particularly vegetation, wetland of condition
river flows trigger a larger environmental environmental larger a trigger flows river irrigated production, the cultural values the Basin-wide Environmental Watering
environmental water provided by the New New the by provided water environmental Create the right conditions to improve to restore, and then maintain the good good the maintain then and restore, to
than wet years, where high rainfall and and rainfall high where years, wet than Strategy (part of the implementation of the
supplements river flows, rainfall events and and events rainfall flows, river supplements and practices of local Aboriginal native fish spawning, movement
Valley. Watering from 2010 to 2013 was targeted targeted was 2013 to 2010 from Watering Valley.
see smaller environmental watering events events watering environmental smaller see Murray-Darling Basin Plan).
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth Traditional Owners and tourism and between areas, and improve the age
environmental condition of the Gwydir River River Gwydir the of condition environmental
in dry years, low rainfall and river flows will will flows river and rainfall low years, dry in recreational activities. ranges and health of their regulation, significantly affected the the affected significantly regulation,
as the weather and river flows. This means means This flows. river and weather the as Summary of longer-term outcomes districts. districts. communities.
The millennium drought, coupled with river river with coupled drought, millennium The
by a range of environmental factors such such factors environmental of range a by under the Basin-wide Environmental
throughout the Basin’s irrigation irrigation Basin’s the throughout Environmental water is delivered to key locations
and when water is delivered are guided guided are delivered is water when and Watering Strategy the riverine and wetlands systems systems wetlands and riverine the to support the region’s unique native animals, implementation.
watering means that decisions on how how on decisions that means watering plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy needed to restore and protect protect and restore to needed as part of Murray-Darling Basin Plan Plan Basin Murray-Darling of part as A natural cues approach to environmental environmental to approach cues natural A Maintain base river flows, with the rivers
waterways including internationally and nationally bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring consultation with local communities, communities, local with consultation experiencing more bank-full and
important wetlands.
River and Carole Creek. Carole and River ‘fresh’ events. Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental Office of Environment and Heritage, in in Heritage, and Environment of Office
Gwydir River, Gingham Watercourse, Mehi Mehi Watercourse, Gingham River, Gwydir TThe Gwydir River Valley is home to
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Holder and the New South Wales Wales South New the and Holder
ecology and refresh refuge waterholes in the the in waterholes refuge refresh and ecology 60,000 hectares of wetland vegetation, including A fresh event describes an increase in levels infrastructure, and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure, Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth
amounts of water to support in-stream in-stream support to water of amounts internationally and nationally significant sites, of the river beyond the base flow, but does
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment is planned and managed by the the by managed and planned is
Commonwealth also contributed small small contributed also Commonwealth which provide habitat for rare, endangered and not fill the river or go over the bank.
Government, including through through including Government, water in the Gwydir River Valley Valley River Gwydir the in water Mallowa wetlands. During 2015-16 the the 2015-16 During wetlands. Mallowa vulnerable species including the Australian bittern,
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The
The delivery of environmental environmental of delivery The last summer to top up the Gwydir and and Gwydir the up top to summer last silver perch and the painted snipe. The Gingham Maintain current extent of river red gum
water was used during the hotter months of of months hotter the during used was water and Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) watercourses form and blackbox communities, along with
amount of Commonwealth environmental environmental Commonwealth of amount an inland terminal wetland delta system which supply supply improvements to condition and greater Valley to date to Valley
wetlands. As part of this strategy, a small small a strategy, this of part As wetlands. contains the largest stand of the critically likelihood of young tree survival. These
follow natural cues to manage the Gwydir Gwydir the manage to cues natural follow environmental water water environmental endangered marsh club-rush in New South Wales. use in the Gwydir River River Gwydir the in use communities are essential for providing
Operations Advisory Committee, agreed to to agreed Committee, Advisory Operations The nationally significant Gwydir Wetlands, on the food and habitat for many native animals
Environmental Contingency Allowance Allowance Contingency Environmental Commonwealth Commonwealth
Environmental water water Environmental Gwydir Wetlands. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority environmental water in the Gwydir, the Gwydir Gwydir the Gwydir, the in water environmental
WAT387.0516F otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
Capeton Dam. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Dam. Capeton
environmental water environmental
Back cover: Mallowa area inundated by Commonwealth Commonwealth by inundated area Mallowa cover: Back
Cover: Gwydir Wetlands Gwydir Cover:
Armidale Clontarf Academy Clontarf Armidale Russell, James by Photo
Clontarf Academy boys tradition (emu) knowledge. (emu) tradition boys Academy Clontarf water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
Armidale the telling Wetlands Gwydir planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
the in Woodbridge Jacko Elder
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
local Traditional Above:
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continuing to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continuing
committees within the catchments and we are are we and catchments the within committees
regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Eco Logical Australia Logical Eco ■
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Land Local Tablelands Northern ■
Allowance Operational Advisory Committee Advisory Operational Allowance
Gwydir Environmental Contingency Contingency Environmental Gwydir ■
Industries – Fisheries Fisheries – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
WaterNSW ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17 Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Heritage
Station. Dromana Old on Wetlands
VALLEY VALLEY
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
Postal address: address: Postal
the Gwydir Valley including: Valley Gwydir the
GWYDIR RIVER RIVER GWYDIR E: [email protected] E:
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
M: 0418 210 389 210 0418 M:
@theCEWH
both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned, QLD Goondiwindi,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
y our respects to them and and them to respects our y pa We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth o onment.gov.au/water/cew www.envir W: Local engagement officer – – officer engagement Local
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
Rosemary Millward Rosemary
[email protected] E: knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
772 803 1800 T: water management involve local local involve management water
Australia’s traditional owners and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The water locally. water
Water Holder acknowledges Holder Water
or offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer or
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Rosemary Millward to learn more about our work work our about more learn to Millward Rosemary Our partners Our Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
Gwydir River Gwydir floodplain of the lower Gwydir River, are across the Basin, and are culturally
South Wales Government on managing managing on Government Wales South greater environmental benefit. benefit. environmental greater Environmental water is among the most extensive and significant significant to local Aboriginal people.
2014-15. The committee that advises the New New the advises that committee The 2014-15.
trade (buy or sell water) for equal or or equal for water) sell or (buy trade ■ semi-permanent wetlands in north-west
Maintain the current extent of lignum
widespread inundation of wetland vegetation in in vegetation wetland of inundation widespread dedicated to improving New South Wales.
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) (‘carryover’) year water next the in use shrublands and improve their condition A drying sequence in 2013-14 was followed by by followed was 2013-14 in sequence drying A
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold
■ the health of our rivers, Commonwealth environmental water is in the Lower Gwydir.
2011-12. 2011-12. managed in partnership with state and local
demands Maintain the extent of non-woody
flooding across the lower Gwydir floodplains in in floodplains Gwydir lower the across flooding floodplains and delivery partners to improve connections use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ vegetation communities near or in bred in the wetlands in response to widespread widespread to response in wetlands the in bred between rivers, floodplains and wetlands,
wetlands, streams and on low-lying waterbirds (predominantly ibis and egrets) also also egrets) and ibis (predominantly waterbirds can agree to: agree can particularly, to those sites that support nationally
wetlands floodplains, particularly maintaining lifecycles. Large numbers of colonial nesting nesting colonial of numbers Large lifecycles. plants, birds and fish. and birds plants,
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental
marsh club-rush and water couch fish and frogs species at all stages in their their in stages all at species frogs and fish support the region’s unique native animals, animals, native unique region’s the support constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Gwydir River Valley contains diverse within the Gwydir Wetlands.
recovery of vegetation and supported native native supported and vegetation of recovery environmental watering will continue to to continue will watering environmental
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands
years of extended inundation saw the strong strong the saw inundation extended of years and rich environments. Its waterways are
This year, proposed Commonwealth Commonwealth proposed year, This of international or national significance. Maintain the current species diversity and domestic purposes. domestic and
rush and lignum shrubland. Three successive successive Three shrubland. lignum and rush a source of water supply for domestic We are also working toward the achievement and increase abundance of waterbirds Heritage, as well as water used for irrigation irrigation for used water as well as Heritage,
key plant species such as water couch-spike couch-spike water as such species plant key
watering event. watering water use, extensive agriculture and of environmental outcomes as outlined in by supporting breeding opportunities. South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South
condition of wetland vegetation, particularly particularly vegetation, wetland of condition
river flows trigger a larger environmental environmental larger a trigger flows river irrigated production, the cultural values the Basin-wide Environmental Watering
environmental water provided by the New New the by provided water environmental Create the right conditions to improve to restore, and then maintain the good good the maintain then and restore, to
than wet years, where high rainfall and and rainfall high where years, wet than Strategy (part of the implementation of the
supplements river flows, rainfall events and and events rainfall flows, river supplements and practices of local Aboriginal native fish spawning, movement
Valley. Watering from 2010 to 2013 was targeted targeted was 2013 to 2010 from Watering Valley.
see smaller environmental watering events events watering environmental smaller see Murray-Darling Basin Plan).
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth Traditional Owners and tourism and between areas, and improve the age
environmental condition of the Gwydir River River Gwydir the of condition environmental
in dry years, low rainfall and river flows will will flows river and rainfall low years, dry in recreational activities. ranges and health of their regulation, significantly affected the the affected significantly regulation,
as the weather and river flows. This means means This flows. river and weather the as Summary of longer-term outcomes districts. districts. communities.
The millennium drought, coupled with river river with coupled drought, millennium The
by a range of environmental factors such such factors environmental of range a by under the Basin-wide Environmental
throughout the Basin’s irrigation irrigation Basin’s the throughout Environmental water is delivered to key locations
and when water is delivered are guided guided are delivered is water when and Watering Strategy the riverine and wetlands systems systems wetlands and riverine the to support the region’s unique native animals, implementation.
watering means that decisions on how how on decisions that means watering plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy needed to restore and protect protect and restore to needed as part of Murray-Darling Basin Plan Plan Basin Murray-Darling of part as A natural cues approach to environmental environmental to approach cues natural A Maintain base river flows, with the rivers
waterways including internationally and nationally bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring consultation with local communities, communities, local with consultation experiencing more bank-full and
important wetlands.
River and Carole Creek. Carole and River ‘fresh’ events. Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental Office of Environment and Heritage, in in Heritage, and Environment of Office
Gwydir River, Gingham Watercourse, Mehi Mehi Watercourse, Gingham River, Gwydir The Gwydir River Valley is home to 60,000 hectares
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Holder and the New South Wales Wales South New the and Holder
ecology and refresh refuge waterholes in the the in waterholes refuge refresh and ecology of wetland vegetation, including internationally A fresh event describes an increase in levels infrastructure, and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure, Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth
amounts of water to support in-stream in-stream support to water of amounts and nationally significant sites, which provide of the river beyond the base flow, but does
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment is planned and managed by the the by managed and planned is
Commonwealth also contributed small small contributed also Commonwealth habitat for rare, endangered and vulnerable not fill the river or go over the bank.
Government, including through through including Government, water in the Gwydir River Valley Valley River Gwydir the in water Mallowa wetlands. During 2015-16 the the 2015-16 During wetlands. Mallowa species including the Australian bittern, silver
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The
The delivery of environmental environmental of delivery The last summer to top up the Gwydir and and Gwydir the up top to summer last perch and the painted snipe. The Gingham and Maintain current extent of river red gum
water was used during the hotter months of of months hotter the during used was water Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) watercourses form an and blackbox communities, along with
amount of Commonwealth environmental environmental Commonwealth of amount inland terminal wetland delta system which supply supply improvements to condition and greater Valley to date to Valley
wetlands. As part of this strategy, a small small a strategy, this of part As wetlands. contains the largest stand of the critically likelihood of young tree survival. These
follow natural cues to manage the Gwydir Gwydir the manage to cues natural follow environmental water water environmental endangered marsh club-rush in New South Wales. use in the Gwydir River River Gwydir the in use communities are essential for providing
Operations Advisory Committee, agreed to to agreed Committee, Advisory Operations The nationally significant Gwydir Wetlands, on the food and habitat for many native animals
Environmental Contingency Allowance Allowance Contingency Environmental Commonwealth Commonwealth
Environmental water water Environmental Gwydir Wetlands. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority environmental water in the Gwydir, the Gwydir Gwydir the Gwydir, the in water environmental
WAT387.0516F otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
Capeton Dam. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Dam. Capeton
environmental water environmental
Back cover: Mallowa area inundated by Commonwealth Commonwealth by inundated area Mallowa cover: Back
Cover: Gwydir Wetlands Gwydir Cover:
Photo by James Russell, Armidale Clontarf Academy Clontarf Armidale Russell, James by Photo
knowledge. (emu) tradition boys Academy Clontarf water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
Armidale the telling Wetlands Gwydir
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
the in Woodbridge Jacko Elder
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
local Traditional Above:
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continuing to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continuing
committees within the catchments and we are are we and catchments the within committees
regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Eco Logical Australia Logical Eco ■
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Land Local Tablelands Northern ■
Allowance Operational Advisory Committee Advisory Operational Allowance
Gwydir Environmental Contingency Contingency Environmental Gwydir ■
Industries – Fisheries Fisheries – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
WaterNSW ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17 Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Heritage
Station. Dromana Old on Wetlands
VALLEY VALLEY
onment and and onment Envir of Office Wales South New ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
address: Postal
the Gwydir Valley including: Valley Gwydir the
GWYDIR RIVER RIVER GWYDIR E: [email protected] E:
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
389 210 0418 M:
@theCEWH
both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned, QLD Goondiwindi,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
We pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W: Local engagement officer – – officer engagement Local
community. and land water, to
Millward Rosemary
[email protected] E: knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
772 803 1800 T: water management involve local local involve management water
Australia’s traditional owners and and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The water locally. water
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
or offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer or
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Rosemary Millward to learn more about our work work our about more learn to Millward Rosemary Our partners Our Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
Gwydir River Gwydir floodplain of the lower Gwydir River, are across the Basin, and are culturally
South Wales Government on managing managing on Government Wales South
greater environmental benefit. benefit. environmental greater Environmental water is among the most extensive and significant significant to local Aboriginal people.
2014-15. The committee that advises the New New the advises that committee The 2014-15.
trade (buy or sell water) for equal or or equal for water) sell or (buy trade ■ semi-permanent wetlands in north-west
Maintain the current extent of lignum
widespread inundation of wetland vegetation in in vegetation wetland of inundation widespread dedicated to improving New South Wales.
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) (‘carryover’) year water next the in use shrublands and improve their condition A drying sequence in 2013-14 was followed by by followed was 2013-14 in sequence drying A
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold
■ the health of our rivers, Commonwealth environmental water is in the Lower Gwydir.
2011-12. 2011-12. managed in partnership with state and local
demands Maintain the extent of non-woody
flooding across the lower Gwydir floodplains in in floodplains Gwydir lower the across flooding floodplains and delivery partners to improve connections
use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ vegetation communities near or in
bred in the wetlands in response to widespread widespread to response in wetlands the in bred between rivers, floodplains and wetlands,
wetlands, streams and on low-lying waterbirds (predominantly ibis and egrets) also also egrets) and ibis (predominantly waterbirds
can agree to: agree can particularly, to those sites that support nationally
wetlands floodplains, particularly maintaining
lifecycles. Large numbers of colonial nesting nesting colonial of numbers Large lifecycles. plants, birds and fish. and birds plants,
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental
marsh club-rush and water couch
fish and frogs species at all stages in their their in stages all at species frogs and fish support the region’s unique native animals, animals, native unique region’s the support
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Gwydir River Valley contains diverse within the Gwydir Wetlands.
recovery of vegetation and supported native native supported and vegetation of recovery environmental watering will continue to to continue will watering environmental
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands
years of extended inundation saw the strong strong the saw inundation extended of years and rich environments. Its waterways are
This year, proposed Commonwealth Commonwealth proposed year, This of international or national significance. Maintain the current species diversity
and domestic purposes. domestic and
rush and lignum shrubland. Three successive successive Three shrubland. lignum and rush a source of water supply for domestic We are also working toward the achievement and increase abundance of waterbirds Heritage, as well as water used for irrigation irrigation for used water as well as Heritage,
key plant species such as water couch-spike couch-spike water as such species plant key
watering event. watering water use, extensive agriculture and of environmental outcomes as outlined in by supporting breeding opportunities. South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South
condition of wetland vegetation, particularly particularly vegetation, wetland of condition
river flows trigger a larger environmental environmental larger a trigger flows river irrigated production, the cultural values the Basin-wide Environmental Watering
environmental water provided by the New New the by provided water environmental Create the right conditions to improve
to restore, and then maintain the good good the maintain then and restore, to
than wet years, where high rainfall and and rainfall high where years, wet than Strategy (part of the implementation of the
supplements river flows, rainfall events and and events rainfall flows, river supplements and practices of local Aboriginal native fish spawning, movement
Valley. Watering from 2010 to 2013 was targeted targeted was 2013 to 2010 from Watering Valley.
see smaller environmental watering events events watering environmental smaller see Murray-Darling Basin Plan).
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth Traditional Owners and tourism and between areas, and improve the age
environmental condition of the Gwydir River River Gwydir the of condition environmental
in dry years, low rainfall and river flows will will flows river and rainfall low years, dry in recreational activities. ranges and health of their regulation, significantly affected the the affected significantly regulation,
as the weather and river flows. This means means This flows. river and weather the as Summary of longer-term outcomes districts. districts. communities.
The millennium drought, coupled with river river with coupled drought, millennium The
by a range of environmental factors such such factors environmental of range a by under the Basin-wide Environmental
throughout the Basin’s irrigation irrigation Basin’s the throughout Environmental water is delivered to key locations
and when water is delivered are guided guided are delivered is water when and Watering Strategy the riverine and wetlands systems systems wetlands and riverine the to support the region’s unique native animals, implementation.
watering means that decisions on how how on decisions that means watering plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy
needed to restore and protect protect and restore to needed as part of Murray-Darling Basin Plan Plan Basin Murray-Darling of part as A natural cues approach to environmental environmental to approach cues natural A Maintain base river flows, with the rivers
waterways including internationally and nationally bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring consultation with local communities, communities, local with consultation experiencing more bank-full and
important wetlands.
River and Carole Creek. Carole and River ‘fresh’ events. Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental Office of Environment and Heritage, in in Heritage, and Environment of Office
Gwydir River, Gingham Watercourse, Mehi Mehi Watercourse, Gingham River, Gwydir TThe Gwydir River Valley is home to
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Holder and the New South Wales Wales South New the and Holder
ecology and refresh refuge waterholes in the the in waterholes refuge refresh and ecology 60,000 hectares of wetland vegetation, including A fresh event describes an increase in levels
infrastructure, and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure, Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth
amounts of water to support in-stream in-stream support to water of amounts internationally and nationally significant sites, of the river beyond the base flow, but does
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment is planned and managed by the the by managed and planned is
Commonwealth also contributed small small contributed also Commonwealth which provide habitat for rare, endangered and not fill the river or go over the bank.
Government, including through through including Government,
water in the Gwydir River Valley Valley River Gwydir the in water Mallowa wetlands. During 2015-16 the the 2015-16 During wetlands. Mallowa vulnerable species including the Australian bittern,
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The
The delivery of environmental environmental of delivery The
last summer to top up the Gwydir and and Gwydir the up top to summer last silver perch and the painted snipe. The Gingham Maintain current extent of river red gum
water was used during the hotter months of of months hotter the during used was water and Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) watercourses form and blackbox communities, along with
amount of Commonwealth environmental environmental Commonwealth of amount an inland terminal wetland delta system which supply supply improvements to condition and greater Valley to date to Valley
wetlands. As part of this strategy, a small small a strategy, this of part As wetlands. contains the largest stand of the critically likelihood of young tree survival. These
follow natural cues to manage the Gwydir Gwydir the manage to cues natural follow
environmental water water environmental endangered marsh club-rush in New South Wales. use in the Gwydir River River Gwydir the in use communities are essential for providing
Operations Advisory Committee, agreed to to agreed Committee, Advisory Operations The nationally significant Gwydir Wetlands, on the food and habitat for many native animals
Environmental Contingency Allowance Allowance Contingency Environmental Commonwealth Commonwealth
Environmental water water Environmental Gwydir Wetlands. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority environmental water in the Gwydir, the Gwydir Gwydir the Gwydir, the in water environmental
WAT387.0516F otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
Capeton Dam. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Dam. Capeton
environmental water environmental
Back cover: Mallowa area inundated by Commonwealth Commonwealth by inundated area Mallowa cover: Back
Cover: Gwydir Wetlands Gwydir Cover:
Photo by James Russell, Armidale Clontarf Academy Clontarf Armidale Russell, James by Photo
knowledge. (emu) tradition boys Academy Clontarf water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
Armidale the telling Wetlands Gwydir
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
the in Woodbridge Jacko Elder
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
local Traditional Above:
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continuing to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continuing
committees within the catchments and we are are we and catchments the within committees
regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Eco Logical Australia Logical Eco ■
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Land Local Tablelands Northern ■
Allowance Operational Advisory Committee Advisory Operational Allowance
Gwydir Environmental Contingency Contingency Environmental Gwydir ■
Industries – Fisheries Fisheries – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
WaterNSW ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17 Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Heritage
Station. Dromana Old on Wetlands
VALLEY VALLEY
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
address: Postal
the Gwydir Valley including: Valley Gwydir the
GWYDIR RIVER RIVER GWYDIR E: [email protected] E:
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
M: 0418 210 389 389 210 0418 M:
@theCEWH
their cultures and to their elders both both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned, Goondiwindi, QLD QLD Goondiwindi,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
We pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W: Local engagement officer – – officer engagement Local
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
Rosemary Millward Millward Rosemary
[email protected] E: knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
772 803 1800 T: water management involve local local involve management water
Australia’s traditional owners and and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The water locally. water
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
or offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer or
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Rosemary Millward to learn more about our work work our about more learn to Millward Rosemary Our partners Our Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
Gwydir River Gwydir floodplain of the lower Gwydir River, are across the Basin, and are culturally
South Wales Government on managing managing on Government Wales South
greater environmental benefit. benefit. environmental greater Environmental water is among the most extensive and significant significant to local Aboriginal people.
2014-15. The committee that advises the New New the advises that committee The 2014-15.
trade (buy or sell water) for equal or or equal for water) sell or (buy trade ■ semi-permanent wetlands in north-west
Maintain the current extent of lignum
widespread inundation of wetland vegetation in in vegetation wetland of inundation widespread dedicated to improving New South Wales.
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) (‘carryover’) year water next the in use shrublands and improve their condition A drying sequence in 2013-14 was followed by by followed was 2013-14 in sequence drying A
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold
■ the health of our rivers, Commonwealth environmental water is in the Lower Gwydir.
2011-12. 2011-12. managed in partnership with state and local
demands Maintain the extent of non-woody
flooding across the lower Gwydir floodplains in in floodplains Gwydir lower the across flooding floodplains and delivery partners to improve connections
use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ vegetation communities near or in
bred in the wetlands in response to widespread widespread to response in wetlands the in bred between rivers, floodplains and wetlands,
wetlands, streams and on low-lying waterbirds (predominantly ibis and egrets) also also egrets) and ibis (predominantly waterbirds
can agree to: agree can particularly, to those sites that support nationally
wetlands floodplains, particularly maintaining
lifecycles. Large numbers of colonial nesting nesting colonial of numbers Large lifecycles. plants, birds and fish. and birds plants,
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental
marsh club-rush and water couch
fish and frogs species at all stages in their their in stages all at species frogs and fish support the region’s unique native animals, animals, native unique region’s the support
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Gwydir River Valley contains diverse within the Gwydir Wetlands.
recovery of vegetation and supported native native supported and vegetation of recovery environmental watering will continue to to continue will watering environmental
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands
years of extended inundation saw the strong strong the saw inundation extended of years and rich environments. Its waterways are
This year, proposed Commonwealth Commonwealth proposed year, This of international or national significance. Maintain the current species diversity
and domestic purposes. domestic and
rush and lignum shrubland. Three successive successive Three shrubland. lignum and rush a source of water supply for domestic We are also working toward the achievement and increase abundance of waterbirds Heritage, as well as water used for irrigation irrigation for used water as well as Heritage,
key plant species such as water couch-spike couch-spike water as such species plant key
watering event. watering water use, extensive agriculture and of environmental outcomes as outlined in by supporting breeding opportunities. South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South
condition of wetland vegetation, particularly particularly vegetation, wetland of condition
river flows trigger a larger environmental environmental larger a trigger flows river irrigated production, the cultural values the Basin-wide Environmental Watering
environmental water provided by the New New the by provided water environmental Create the right conditions to improve
to restore, and then maintain the good good the maintain then and restore, to
than wet years, where high rainfall and and rainfall high where years, wet than Strategy (part of the implementation of the
supplements river flows, rainfall events and and events rainfall flows, river supplements and practices of local Aboriginal native fish spawning, movement
Valley. Watering from 2010 to 2013 was targeted targeted was 2013 to 2010 from Watering Valley.
see smaller environmental watering events events watering environmental smaller see Murray-Darling Basin Plan).
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth Traditional Owners and tourism and between areas, and improve the age
environmental condition of the Gwydir River River Gwydir the of condition environmental
in dry years, low rainfall and river flows will will flows river and rainfall low years, dry in recreational activities. ranges and health of their regulation, significantly affected the the affected significantly regulation,
as the weather and river flows. This means means This flows. river and weather the as Summary of longer-term outcomes districts. districts. communities.
The millennium drought, coupled with river river with coupled drought, millennium The
by a range of environmental factors such such factors environmental of range a by under the Basin-wide Environmental
throughout the Basin’s irrigation irrigation Basin’s the throughout Environmental water is delivered to key locations
and when water is delivered are guided guided are delivered is water when and Watering Strategy the riverine and wetlands systems systems wetlands and riverine the to support the region’s unique native animals, implementation.
watering means that decisions on how how on decisions that means watering plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy
needed to restore and protect protect and restore to needed as part of Murray-Darling Basin Plan Plan Basin Murray-Darling of part as A natural cues approach to environmental environmental to approach cues natural A Maintain base river flows, with the rivers
waterways including internationally and nationally bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring consultation with local communities, communities, local with consultation experiencing more bank-full and
important wetlands.
River and Carole Creek. Carole and River ‘fresh’ events. Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental Office of Environment and Heritage, in in Heritage, and Environment of Office
Gwydir River, Gingham Watercourse, Mehi Mehi Watercourse, Gingham River, Gwydir TThe Gwydir River Valley is home to
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Holder and the New South Wales Wales South New the and Holder
ecology and refresh refuge waterholes in the the in waterholes refuge refresh and ecology 60,000 hectares of wetland vegetation, including A fresh event describes an increase in levels
infrastructure, and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure, Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth
amounts of water to support in-stream in-stream support to water of amounts internationally and nationally significant sites, of the river beyond the base flow, but does
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment is planned and managed by the the by managed and planned is
Commonwealth also contributed small small contributed also Commonwealth which provide habitat for rare, endangered and not fill the river or go over the bank.
Government, including through through including Government,
water in the Gwydir River Valley Valley River Gwydir the in water Mallowa wetlands. During 2015-16 the the 2015-16 During wetlands. Mallowa vulnerable species including the Australian bittern,
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The
The delivery of environmental environmental of delivery The
last summer to top up the Gwydir and and Gwydir the up top to summer last silver perch and the painted snipe. The Gingham Maintain current extent of river red gum
water was used during the hotter months of of months hotter the during used was water and Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) watercourses form and blackbox communities, along with
amount of Commonwealth environmental environmental Commonwealth of amount an inland terminal wetland delta system which supply supply improvements to condition and greater Valley to date to Valley
wetlands. As part of this strategy, a small small a strategy, this of part As wetlands. contains the largest stand of the critically likelihood of young tree survival. These
follow natural cues to manage the Gwydir Gwydir the manage to cues natural follow
environmental water water environmental endangered marsh club-rush in New South Wales. use in the Gwydir River River Gwydir the in use communities are essential for providing
Operations Advisory Committee, agreed to to agreed Committee, Advisory Operations The nationally significant Gwydir Wetlands, on the food and habitat for many native animals
Environmental Contingency Allowance Allowance Contingency Environmental Commonwealth Commonwealth
Environmental water water Environmental Gwydir Wetlands. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority environmental water in the Gwydir, the Gwydir Gwydir the Gwydir, the in water environmental
GWYDIR VALLEY Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
The Gwydir Valley is Environmental watering will follow natural availability it is likely that the demands of the An estimated 25.6GL of Responding to cycles of drying and wetting. If there is little Gwydir River downstream of Copeton Dam will Commonwealth water available, watering will normally focus on be met by tributary flows and watering of other in north-eastern environmental water was environmental protecting semi-permanent wetland assets. However if there is a moderate amount New South Wales and vegetation by delivering additional flows in of water available, watering could contribute to being carried over to the response to naturally occurring river flows the restoration of the River’s natural flow is based around the demands 2016-17 water year in the (supplementary flow events). If there is more character. Gwydir and a high water available, inundation can extend further 25.6 Gwydir River. The River flows Like all water users, Commonwealth to include flood dependant woodland and Dry river flows or bird breeding support security allocation of shrubland areas. contingency flows: During dry conditions, when GL 4508 ML and up to westerly from the and state water holders and the river ceases to flow for an extended period 20.5 GL of supplementary Great Dividing Range managers must consider variable Mallowa Wetlands: Environmental watering has and becomes impenetrable, there can be a seasonal conditions to manage the occurred in the last four of five years. Wetland high demand for environmental water to allocation and are also near Armidale, towards Basin’s rivers, floodplains and vegetation is in a healthy, dynamic and resilient contribute to small baseflows to reconnect 8.4GL available. condition and is providing an important refuge refuge pools and maintain water quality. In the Barwon River. wetlands. from drought for foraging waterbirds. wetter times environmental water may be of Commonwealth This involves careful consideration of the provided to contribute to support the successful Watering may contribute to the maintenance completion of waterbird breeding events. environmental water urgency of environmental demands each year of the healthy state of wetland vegetation. The Gwydir River is regulated by the was used in the (and from year to year and over multiple years) However, as a drying phase is within Further information on our planning process and Copeton Dam which stores water for and what we believe can be achieved requirements, a small volume of environmental for a copy of the Portfolio Management Plan Gwydir in 140GL of Commonwealth towns, stock, domestic use and irrigation. depending on water availability due to water may only be provided during natural flow for the Gwydir Valley 2016-17, visit 2015-16 There are also many farm dams and ring environmental water has conditions. conditions. www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo. tanks in the region. 140 been delivered to the The following scenarios for the use of Watering may contribute to Gwydir between The main tributary of the Gwydir River is the Mehi River: Commonwealth environmental water in 2016-17 supporting native fish; the extent of support is Horton River. Downstream of the region’s GL 2010-11 and 2015-16 are based on our assessment of environmental scalable according to the amount of water largest town, Moree, the Gwydir River demands during annual planning (in the context available. If there is a moderate amount of breaks into two major streams, the of targeted outcomes and watering water available, there is high potential for a Gingham Watercourse and the Lower Gwydir requirements, watering history, asset condition maintenance flow which can enhance the or Big Leather Watercourse. and the available supply according to different survival rates of juvenile fish. scenarios). To date, there has been no specific requirements for the purchase Carole Creek: Similar to the Mehi River, watering Gwydir wetlands (including Gingham in the Carole Creek may contribute to of water allocations in the Gwydir Valley but 10 GL of Commonwealth Watercourse): Environmental watering in the supporting native fish and other in-stream environmental water was sold in January 2014. Gwydir Wetlands will continue to promote the aquatic fauna like frogs and turtles. recovery of wetland vegetation, provide habitat for threatened species as well as survival and Gwydir River downstream of Copeton Dam: reproduction opportunities for a range of There is moderate demand for water to waterbird and native aquatic species, such as improve the natural character of flows fish, frogs, turtles and invertebrates. downstream of the dam. Under low water
Moomin Creek. Photo: Mark Southwell Combadello Weir. Turtles at Gingham Waterhole. Photo: Mark Southwell
Outcomes snapshot
Scientific monitoring shows that water delivered to the Gwydir is providing food, habitat and breeding opportunities for many of the region’s unique native fish, waterbirds, plants and wildlife.
Full monitoring reports are available each year on our website: www.environment.gov.au/cewo/catchment/gwydir/monitoring.
2014-15 2013-14 Environmental water inundated 6,342 hectares of the Gingham and Environmental watering in the Mehi River and Carole Creek allowed full Gwydir wetlands. Water delivered to the Mehi River and Carole Creek connection to the Barwon River. This resulted in increased levels of produced a flow pulse that reached the Barwon River, influencing river dissolved oxygen and carbon throughout the Mehi River and Carole levels as far downstream as Bourke. This helped to maintain water Creek, stimulating the food chain for aquatic species including yabbies quality and facilitated the transport of nutrients, organic matter, aquatic and Murray cod. The connection with the Barwon-Darling also improved plants and micro-organisms between sites. water quality in refuges and allowed fish passage between river systems.
A diverse range of vegetation communities were inundated with Environmental water enabled breeding of spangled perch and bony environmental water and resulted with increased coverage of native bream in the Mehi River and Carole Creek. species, such as water couch and a decreased cover of weed species like lippia. Environmental water benefited the Mallowa Creek wetland, particularly River Cooba Lignum and Coolibah woodlands. There was also greater An increase in waterbird species diversity and total abundance was coverage of flat spike-sedge, common nardoo and other native plant observed at sites that received environmental water. This included species. This increased plant abundance strengthens the resilience of seven species listed under international agreements such as Latham's these communities to survive dry times and bounce back quickly when snipe, sharp-tailed sandpiper, brolgas and magpie geese. Breeding was conditions improve. also recorded at a number of sites by species including the plumed whistling-duck and Australasian darter. Frog breeding was observed for four native species, the salmon-striped frog, long thumbed frog, broad palmed frog and eastern sign-bearing froglet in the Mallowa Wetland.
www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo