Protecting flood connectivity in the Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain to enhance the health and resilience of floodplain wetlands and riverine ecosystems

Namoi River, , . 27 June 2019. Simon Hunter (DPIE) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata, Goran Lake. 20 April 2013. Michael Dahlem , , New South Wales. 27 June 2019. Simon Hunter (DPIE) Simon J Hunter Water and Wetlands Team, Environment, Energy and Science Department of Planning, Industry & Environment. Sydney, New South Wales,

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain Management Plan 2019

▪ Developed under NSW Healthy Floodplains Project – UPPER NAMOI VALLEY FLOODPLAIN funded by Australian Government’s Sustainable Rural MANAGEMENT PLAN (2019 – 2029) Water Use & Infrastructure Program as part of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in NSW

▪ Detailed legal instrument and spatial floodplain management plan covering 588,600 hectares developed under the Water Management Act 2000

▪ Commenced on 6th June 2019 and is due for extension or replacement on 6th June 2029

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain Management Plan 2019

GWYDIR VALLEY DRAFT BORDER FLOODPLAIN VALLEY MANAGEMENT FLOODPLAIN PLAN (2016 – 2026) MANAGEMENT PLAN ▪ Developed under NSW Healthy Floodplains Project – funded by Australian Government’s Sustainable Rural BARWON-DARLING VALLEY FLOODPLAIN Water Use & Infrastructure Program as part of the MANAGEMENT PLAN (2017 – 2027) implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in NSW

UPPER NAMOI VALLEY FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN (2019 – 2029) ▪ Detailed legal instrument and spatial floodplain management plan covering 588,600 hectares developed under the Water Management Act 2000

▪ Commenced on 6th June 2019 and is due for extension or replacement on 6th June 2029

DRAFT MACQUARIE VALLEY FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT DRAFT LOWER NAMOI PLAN VALLEY FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 The Upper Valley Floodplain – an important link to downstream environments and the Barwon- system

GWYDIR VALLEY FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT UPPER NAMOI PLAN (2016 – 2026) VALLEY FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN (2019 – 2029)

Namoi River

BARWON-DARLING VALLEY FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN (2017 – 2027)

DRAFT LOWER NAMOI VALLEY FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN

LIVERPOOL PLAINS

GORAN LAKE

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Uncoordinated flood work development may adversely affect wetlands and their resilience

ACCESS ROADS Boggabri If built in the wrong location flood works can alter flood connectivity:

▪ Isolate wetlands from overland flooding by The Flood Hill obstructing flow paths resulting in declined condition and resilience ACCESS ROADS WATER SUPPLY CHANNELS

WATER STORAGES ▪ Redistribute flood flows away from flood-dependent assets Driggle Draggle Creek ▪ Increase flooding duration of ecological assets Deadmans Gully exceeding their water requirements

ACCESS ROADS ▪ Restrict native fish passage and opportunities for migration

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Strategy for coordinating flood work development to maintain flood connectivity to ecological assets

Special protection zone Plan objective for ecologically significant areas To maintain flood connectivity to wetlands, other floodplain ecosystems, and areas of groundwater recharge in the Upper Namoi River floodplain

Strategy to coordinate flood work development

▪ Identify flood-dependent ecological assets

Management zones protect connectivity ▪ Establish management zones for coordinating Lateral flood work development with rules and connectivity assessment criteria for the granting or amending of flood work approvals in the floodplain

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Identification of flood dependent ecological assets of the Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain

Wetlands

Semi-permanent wetland

Floodplain wetland (Flood-dependent shrubland wetlands)

Wetland sites from previous studies*

*Green and Dunkerley (1992) Wetlands of the Namoi Valley Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Breeza Floodplain Management Plan (2006), Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) & Office of Water (OEH) (2012) Warrah Creek Floodplain Management Plan

Other floodplain ecosystems

Flood-dependent Forest/woodland (wetlands)

Flood-dependent woodland

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Hydraulic modelling helped delineate floodways for the Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain Management Plan 2019

HYDRAULIC MODEL BOGGABRI TO ▪ A total of 11 hydraulic models were used to determine the floodway network (MIKE 11, MIKE 21 and RORG)

▪ Two new two-dimensional models (the Yarraman and Boggabri to Narrabri models) were created covering 68,600 and 24,000 hectares of the floodplain HYDRAULIC MODEL YARRAMAN ▪ Hydraulic models combined with flood aerial photography, satellite imagery, LiDAR and ADS40 DEM were used to delineate defined floodways and ill-defined floodways

Water depth - velocity

High DVP

Low DVP

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Landsat satellite imagery of flooding of the Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain in 2000

▪ Landsat 7 satellite imagery of flooding (23 November – 2 December 2000)

▪ Examine flow paths and historical patterns of flood connectivity to wetlands of the Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain

▪ Validate floodway network mapped for the Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain to ensure accuracy

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Ecological criteria to ensure flood connectivity is maintained to flood- dependent ecological assets of the Upper Namoi River floodplain Fish passage Assessment criteria for flood work applications

Silver Perch (V, ce) Olive Perchlet (E) Purple Spotted Gudgeon (E) Eel tailed catfish (E) Flathead galaxias (CE) A flood work approval will not be granted unless the Ambassis agassizii Mogurnda adspersa Tandanus tandanus Galaxias rostratus flood work is constructed to maintain adequate flood CE = Critically endangered, E = Endangered population, V = Vulnerable (NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994) connectivity to facilitate fish passage ce = Critically endangered (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999) Semi-permanent wetlands*

Shallow freshwater wetland sedgeland (PCT 53) Entire mapped spatial extent incorporated within : A flood work approval will not be granted unless Sedgeland fen wetland of spring-fed or runoff-fed creeks (PCT 361) the flood work is constructed Defined Floodways ^ to maintain adequate flood connectivity Riparian sedgeland rushland wetland (PCT 400) to ecological assets listed in Schedule 1 of the Special Protection Areas ^ Water Couch marsh grassland wetland (PCT 204) Floodplain Management Plan for the Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain* *Includes billabongs and lagoons of the Upper Namoi floodplain fed by floodwater Defined Floodways ^ Floodplain wetlands Flood Storage and Secondary Flood Discharge Areas River Cooba swamp wetland (PCT 241) Mapped Flood Fringe Areas Forest/woodland wetlands spatial extent River Red Gum riparian tall woodland / open forest wetland (PCT 78) hydraulically connected to : Special Protection Areas ^

Increasing requirement for flooding for requirement Increasing River Oak - Rough-barked Apple - red gum - box riparian tall woodland (wetland) (PCT 84) Defined Floodways ^ *under a range of flood scenarios including, at a minimum, scenarios for the relevant small and large design floods Black Tea-tree - River Oak - Wilga riparian low forest/shrubland wetland (PCT 112) Special Protection Areas ^ ^ Only flood works that are minor in nature are permitted. These Red gum - Rough-barked Apple +/- tea tree woodland flood works are unlikely to impact flooding patterns (wetland) (PCT 339) PCT - NSW Plant Community Type

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Integration of ecological criteria to protect Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain & wetland connectivity

Airborne Digital Sensor (ADS) Boggabri Image 16/8/11 Semi-permanent wetlands Shallow freshwater wetland sedgeland in depressions on floodplains on inland alluvial plains and floodplains (PCT 53)

The Flood Water Couch marsh grassland wetland of frequently flooded Hill inland watercourses (PCT 204)

Broadwater Forest/woodland wetlands BroadwaterLagoon Lagoon River Red Gum riparian tall woodland / open forest wetland in the Driggle Draggle Nandewar Bioregion and Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (PCT 78) Creek Black Tea-tree - River Oak - Wilga riparian low forest/shrubland Deadmans Gully wetland of rich soil depressions in the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (PCT 112)

PCT = NSW Plant Community Type

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Integration of LiDAR data to determine Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain & wetland connectivity

LiDAR Digital Elevation BoggabriBoggabri Model (DEM) Semi-permanent wetlands Shallow freshwater wetland sedgeland in depressions on floodplains on inland alluvial plains and floodplains (PCT 53)

The Flood Water Couch marsh grassland wetland of frequently flooded Hill inland watercourses (PCT 204)

Broadwater Forest/woodland wetlands Lagoon River Red Gum riparian tall woodland / open forest wetland in the Nandewar Bioregion and Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (PCT 78) BroadwaterDriggle Draggle LagoonCreek Black Tea-tree - River Oak - Wilga riparian low forest/shrubland Deadmans Gully wetland of rich soil depressions in the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (PCT 112) Elevation (m) 328

265

PCT = NSW Plant Community Type

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Integration of ecological criteria to protect Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain & wetland connectivity

Floodway Semi-permanent wetlands Boggabri Network Shallow freshwater wetland sedgeland in depressions on floodplains on inland alluvial plains and floodplains (PCT 53) Wetlands Water Couch marsh grassland wetland of frequently flooded isolated from floodway inland watercourses (PCT 204) The Flood network Forest/woodland wetlands Hill Wetlands River Red Gum riparian tall woodland / open forest wetland in the isolated from Nandewar Bioregion and Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (PCT 78) floodway Broadwater network Lagoon Black Tea-tree - River Oak - Wilga riparian low forest/shrubland wetland of rich soil depressions in the Brigalow Belt South Driggle Draggle Bioregion (PCT 112) Creek Upper Namoi Floodplain Floodway Network Deadmans Gully Major discharge areas – defined floodways

Major discharge areas – ill-defined floodways

Flood storage and secondary discharge

PCT = NSW Plant Community Type

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Integration of ecological criteria to protect Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain & wetland connectivity

Management Boggabri Zones Application of ecological criteria

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION Enhanced riverine-floodplain hydrological connectivity OF LATERAL The Flood FLOW PATHS MAJOR Hill FLOOD WORKS NOT Upper Namoi Floodplain Management Zone (MZ) PERMITTED

Broadwater Defined Floodways (MZ AD) ADDITIONAL Lagoon PROTECTION OF LATERAL Ill Defined Floodways (MZ AID) FLOW PATHS Driggle Draggle MAJOR Creek FLOOD Lower (MZ BL) WORKS NOT PERMITTED Deadmans Gully ADDITIONAL PROTECTION Flood Fringe and Flood Protected Developed Areas (MZ CU) OF LONGITUDINAL FLOW PATHS Urban Areas (MZ CU) MAJOR FLOOD WORKS NOT PERMITTED Special Protection (MZD)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Review of historical satellite imagery to determine Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain & wetland connectivity

Landsat 5-TM Satellite Image Boggabri 21/07/1998 Semi-permanent wetlands

Shallow freshwater wetland sedgeland in depressions on floodplains on inland alluvial plains and floodplains (PCT 53) The Flood Hill Water Couch marsh grassland wetland of frequently flooded inland watercourses (PCT 204)

Broadwater Forest/woodland wetlands Lagoon River Red Gum riparian tall woodland / open forest wetland in the Driggle Draggle Nandewar Bioregion and Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (PCT 78) Creek

Deadmans Black Tea-tree - River Oak - Wilga riparian low forest/shrubland Gully wetland of rich soil depressions in the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (PCT 112)

PCT = NSW Plant Community Type

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Special protection zone for areas of ecological and/or cultural significance of the Upper Namoi River floodplain

Tarriaro Lagoon (473 ha)

Barbers Lagoon ▪ Special protection zone covering 11 (204 ha) wetland sites – 8,946 hectares Broadwater Lagoon (47 ha) ▪ Range of different wetland systems, types Gulligal Lagoon (50 ha) and sizes (2 - 8028 ha)

Gunnible Lagoon (19 ha) To maintain flood connectivity, future flood Landry Lagoon works limited to: (6 ha)

Curlewis Swamp ▪ Aboriginal value enhancement work (42 ha)

Goran Swamp ▪ Ecological enhancement work* (46 ha) ▪ Heritage site enhancement work Lake Goran (8028 ha)

Nicholsons Lagoon *provide a positive outcome for an ecological asset that is (2 ha) mapped, recognised in or protected by this Plan, or local, state or Commonwealth environmental policy or legislation Bundella Lagoon (29 ha)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Goran Lake – a nationally significant wetland and an important stop over for migratory waterbirds

Goran Lake, 8 August 2011. Michael Dahlem

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Goran Lake – a nationally significant wetland and an important stop over for migratory waterbirds

Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica baueri. 22 October 2011. Michael Dahlem Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia. 12 May 2012. Michael Dahlem Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata. 7 October 2013. Michael Dahlem

Goran Lake provides refuge in times of flooding for up to eleven species of waterbirds listed under international bird agreements, including the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA), and China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA). Eight of these species migrate from the Northern Hemisphere each spring to spend their non-breeding season in Australia.

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Goran Lake – an ephemeral wetland with black mulching soil of the Liverpool Plains supporting agriculture when dry

Goran Lake, 27 June 2019. Simon Hunter (DPIE)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Landry Lagoon, – important floodplain refuge habitat supporting waterbirds and native fish during droughts Landsat 7 Satellite - 23 November 2000

Landry Lagoon

Gunnible Mountain (353m)

Gunnedah Landry Lagoon, 27 June 2019. Simon Hunter (DPIE)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Landry Lagoon, Gunnedah – management zones to protect overland flood connectivity to maintain habitat for aquatic biota

Landry Lagoon

Gunnible Mountain (353m)

Management Zone

Gunnedah Landry Lagoon, 27 June 2019. Simon Hunter (DPIE)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Barbers Lagoon – an important wetland named after bushranger George ‘The Barber’ Clarke a convict escapee who inhabited the Liverpool Plains from 1826 - 1831

Barbers Lagoon, Boggabri. 27 June 2019. Simon Hunter (DPIE)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Management zones to protect flood connectivity to ecological assets of the Upper Namoi River Valley floodplain

Management Zones of the Upper Namoi River Floodplain

Defined Floodways (MZ AD) Major Discharge Areas Ill Defined Floodways (MZ AID)

Lower Liverpool Plains (MZ BL) Flood Storage & Secondary Flood Discharge Upper Liverpool Plains (MZ BU)

Flood Fringe & Flood Protected Floodplain > 0.5% and Unlimited height flood works Developed Areas (MZ C)

Urban areas covered by a flood Urban Areas (MZ CU) study, flood risk management study 1. Gunnedah or flood risk management plan or 2. Carroll protected by flood mitigation works such as town levees 3. Boggabri High ecological/cultural value areas Special Protection (MZD)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Benefits and broader impacts

▪ Coordinating flood work development appropriate for local flood behaviour & protecting flood connectivity to wetlands in statutory floodplain management plans is an important strategy for building ecological resilience

▪ Provisions for ecological enhancement works ensure restoration activities permissible to restore natural overland flow patterns and enhance the resilience of floodplain wetlands and riverine ecosystems

▪ Mandatory assessment of future flood work proposals focusing on ecological impacts using current environmental datasets to:

o Maintain flood connectivity to wetlands, other floodplain ecosystems & areas of groundwater recharge o Facilitate adequate fish passage

▪ Network of valley plans commenced since 10th August 2016 enhancing ecological resilience across 5.2 million hectares (ha) of the Northern Murray-Darling basin:

1. Floodplain Management Plan for the Gwydir Valley Floodplain 2016 (1.15 million ha) 2. Floodplain Management Plan for the Barwon-Darling Valley Floodplain 2017 (1.1 million ha) 3. Floodplain Management Plan for the Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain 2019 (588,600 ha)

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Acknowledgements

Project Team:

Neal Albert, Dan Mawer, Peter Sobinoff, Joanna Taylor, Rebecca Ballard, Jeanie Dewhurst, Robert Albert, Andy Falkenmire, Geoff Cameron

Specialist Advice:

Karen Danaher (NSW Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries)

Special thanks to Michael Dahlem for providing photographs of Goran Lake in flood and migratory waterbirds

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019 Further information

Floodplain Management Plans prepared according to provisions of the Water Management Act 2000:

https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/plans-programs/healthy-floodplains-project/plans

Floodplain Management Plan for the Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain 2019:

https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/regulations/2019-234.pdf

https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/plans-programs/healthy-floodplains-project/plans/upper-namoi

Upper Namoi Valley Floodplain Designation:

https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/regulations/2019-233.pdf

Insert your logo Brisbane, Australia | 20-24 October 2019