unless noted otherwise. noted unless
WAT387.0516D All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
Buckiinguy Swamp Buckiinguy
Pelicans at North Redbank North at Pelicans Back cover: Baby turtle at Twin Bridges wetlands Bridges Twin at turtle Baby cover: Back
River Murrumbidgee Cover:
Council with Commonwealth environmental water environmental Commonwealth with Council
Above: Indigenous protected area owned by Nari Nari Tribal Tribal Nari Nari by owned area protected Indigenous Above: water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. 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 ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Allowance Reference Group Reference Allowance
ater ater W Environmental Murrumbidgee ■
Charles Sturt University Sturt Charles ■
Riverina Local Land Services Services Land Local Riverina ■
Industries - Fisheries - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Water NSW Water ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17 Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
RIVER
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
MURRUMBIDGEE MURRUMBIDGEE
River region, including: region, River
past and present. and past
with a number of people in the Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee the in people of number a with
309 682 0427 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, 2630 6951 02 P: 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 NSW Leeton, – officer engagement Local www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo W:
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
Lenon Erin
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 locally.
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
suggestions for the use of environmental water water environmental of use the for suggestions
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Erin Lenon, to learn more about our work or offer offer or work our about more learn to Lenon, Erin Our partners Our
Please contact your local engagement officer, officer, engagement local your contact Please Egret in Tarwillie in Egret
supports river red gum forests and black box communities are essential for providing
the southern-connected basin in 2015–16. in basin southern-connected the Environmental water is species’ population features a range of ages. of range a features population species’ wetlands that provide habitat to threatened food and habitat for many native
Environmental Water Holder’s portfolio across across portfolio Holder’s Water Environmental recruitment means that over the long-term a a long-term the over that means recruitment species including the southern bell frog. animals across the Basin, and they are
environmental benefit. environmental
order to balance the Commonwealth Commonwealth the balance to order dedicated to improving adolescence to adulthood. Supported Supported adulthood. to adolescence culturally significant to local Aboriginal
catchment) for equal or greater greater or equal for catchment) The Murrumbidgee River region is also home to
February 2016. These transfers were made in in made were transfers These 2016. February
most years, and support survival from from survival support and years, most people.
trade (sell water or buy in another another in buy or water (sell trade the Ramsar-listed Fivebough and Tuckerbil ■
NSW Murray system in November 2015 and and 2015 November in system Murray NSW the health of our rivers,
Water Holder aims to create breeding events events breeding create to aims Holder Water Swamps within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Improve the condition of lignum
Murrumbidgee via Inter Valley Transfer into the the into Transfer Valley Inter via Murrumbidgee
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in use
stages. The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The stages. communities, particularly focusing on
A total of 24 GL was transferred out of the the of out transferred was GL 24 of total A floodplains and
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold Commonwealth environmental flows are ■ fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish, the shrublands in the Lower
designed in partnership with state and local Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment
environmental demands environmental Murrumbidgee. and 2014-15 2014-15 and
year. wetlands delivery partners to improve connections
use water to meet identified identified meet to water use ■
between 2009-10 2009-10 between
2016-17 water water 2016-17 between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, Maintain the extent of vegetation
native fish, turtles and frogs. frogs. and turtles fish, native the for Holder Water Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee
can agree to: agree can The Murrumbidgee River contains particularly, to those sites that support nationally communities and prevent any further
Environmental used in the the in used provide recruitment opportunities for waterbirds, waterbirds, for opportunities recruitment provide
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental decline particularly in, or near to, the
Commonwealth Commonwealth water has been been has water diverse and rich natural environments. Its consequence of past environmental watering and and watering environmental past of consequence
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints carried over over carried by the the by environmental environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Murrumbidgee River, and Billabong
build on the positive responses from vegetation in in vegetation from responses positive the on build natural waterways are a source of water
56 GL 56 being is of Commonwealth Commonwealth of
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands of and Yanco Creeks.
This year, Commonwealth environmental water will will water environmental Commonwealth year, This supply for domestic water use, extensive
771.9 GL GL 771.9
An estimated An international or national significance. We are also
consumptive water. consumptive Maintain the current species diversity
turtles. turtles. agriculture and irrigated production, working toward the achievement of
Heritage, as well as conveyance and and conveyance as well as Heritage, and increase abundance of waterbirds
affected the recovery of vegetation, frogs and and frogs vegetation, of recovery the affected the cultural values and practices of environmental outcomes as outlined in the
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New by supporting breeding opportunities. GL
GL
wetlands, lack of inundation has negatively negatively has inundation of lack wetlands, local Aboriginal Traditional Owners and Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy (part manager, water environmental State by
771.9
56
some cases, particularly in the mid-Murrumbidgee mid-Murrumbidgee the in particularly cases, some of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Create the right conditions to improve
events and environmental water provided provided water environmental and events tourism and recreational activities.
wetlands in the lower Murrumbidgee. However, in in However, Murrumbidgee. lower the in wetlands Basin Plan). native fish spawning, movement
This water is often used to supplement natural natural supplement to used often is water This watering have improved the condition of many many of condition the improved have watering between areas, and improve the age
Environmental water is delivered to key locations
natural flow events and large-scale environmental environmental large-scale and events flow natural Summary of longer-term outcomes ranges and health of their irrigation districts. districts. irrigation to support the region’s unique native animals, Following the breaking of the millennium drought, drought, millennium the of breaking the Following communities. plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy natural under the Basin-wide Environmental
natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural waterways including internationally and nationally Watering Strategy
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed implementation. Plan Basin
in 2015-16 2015-16 in important wetlands and floodplains.
communities, as part of Murray-Darling Murray-Darling of part as communities, bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring Maintain base river flows, with the region
Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee The Murrumbidgee region is home to the vast and and Heritage, in consultation with local local with consultation in Heritage, and Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
was used in the the in used was nationally significant Lower Murrumbidgee River events. enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Environment of Office Wales South New
environmental water water environmental Floodplain and the mid-Murrumbidgee River
of Commonwealth Commonwealth of Environmental Water Holder and the the and Holder Water Environmental
infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure Wetands. The floodplain covers about 200,000 109 GL 109 A fresh event describes an increase in levels
and managed by the Commonwealth Commonwealth the by managed and
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment hectares and includes some of the largest lignum of the river beyond the base flow, but does
Government, including through through including Government, planned is region River Murrumbidgee
An estimated estimated An wetlands in New South Wales. It is also an not fill the river or go over the bank.
The delivery of environmental water in the the in water environmental of delivery The The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The important bird breeding site, particularly for the
royal spoonbill, great egret, straw-necked ibis, Maintain current extent of river red gum to date to supply supply Australian white ibis and glossy ibis. and blackbox communities, along with
improvements to condition and greater Murrumbidgee the in environmental water water environmental The mid-Murrumbidgee River Wetlands consists of
several nationally significant wetlands, and likelihood of young tree survival. These
Environmental water use use water Environmental Commonwealth Commonwealth Bird watching in Redbank unless noted otherwise. noted unless
WAT387.0516D All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
Buckiinguy Swamp Buckiinguy
Pelicans at North Redbank North at Pelicans k cover: Baby turtle at Twin Bridges wetlands Bridges Twin at turtle Baby cover: k Bac
Cover: Murrumbidgee River Murrumbidgee Cover:
Council with Commonwealth environmental water environmental Commonwealth with Council
Above: Indigenous protected area owned by Nari Nari Tribal Tribal Nari Nari by owned area protected Indigenous Above: water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. 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 ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Allowance Reference Group Reference Allowance
Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Water Environmental Murrumbidgee ■
Charles Sturt University Sturt Charles ■
Riverina Local Land Services Services Land Local Riverina ■
Industries - Fisheries - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Water NSW Water ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17
Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
VER RI
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
MURRUMBIDGEE MURRUMBIDGEE River region, including: region, River
E: [email protected] [email protected] E:
past and present. and past
with a number of people in the Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee the in people of number a with
309 682 0427 M:
@theCEWH
both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned, 2630 6951 02 P:
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
e pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay e W
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth NSW Leeton, – officer engagement Local o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W:
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
Lenon Erin
[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 locally.
Water Holder acknowledges Holder Water
suggestions for the use of environmental water water environmental of use the for suggestions
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Erin Lenon, to learn more about our work or offer offer or work our about more learn to Lenon, Erin Our partners Our
Please contact your local engagement officer, officer, engagement local your contact Please Egret in Tarwillie in Egret
supports river red gum forests and black box communities are essential for providing
the southern-connected basin in 2015–16. in basin southern-connected the Environmental water is species’ population features a range of ages. of range a features population species’ wetlands that provide habitat to threatened food and habitat for many native
Environmental Water Holder’s portfolio across across portfolio Holder’s Water Environmental recruitment means that over the long-term a a long-term the over that means recruitment species including the southern bell frog. animals across the Basin, and they are
environmental benefit. environmental
order to balance the Commonwealth Commonwealth the balance to order dedicated to improving adolescence to adulthood. Supported Supported adulthood. to adolescence culturally significant to local Aboriginal
catchment) for equal or greater greater or equal for catchment) The Murrumbidgee River region is also home to
February 2016. These transfers were made in in made were transfers These 2016. February
most years, and support survival from from survival support and years, most people.
trade (sell water or buy in another another in buy or water (sell trade the Ramsar-listed Fivebough and Tuckerbil ■
NSW Murray system in November 2015 and and 2015 November in system Murray NSW the health of our rivers,
Water Holder aims to create breeding events events breeding create to aims Holder Water Swamps within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Improve the condition of lignum
Murrumbidgee via Inter Valley Transfer into the the into Transfer Valley Inter via Murrumbidgee
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in use
stages. The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The stages. communities, particularly focusing on
A total of 24 GL was transferred out of the the of out transferred was GL 24 of total A floodplains and
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold Commonwealth environmental flows are ■ fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish, the shrublands in the Lower
designed in partnership with state and local Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment
environmental demands environmental Murrumbidgee. and 2014-15 2014-15 and
year. wetlands delivery partners to improve connections
use water to meet identified identified meet to water use ■
between 2009-10 2009-10 between
2016-17 water water 2016-17 between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, Maintain the extent of vegetation
native fish, turtles and frogs. frogs. and turtles fish, native ater Holder for the the for Holder ater W Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee
can agree to: agree can The Murrumbidgee River contains particularly, to those sites that support nationally communities and prevent any further
Environmental Environmental used in the the in used provide recruitment opportunities for waterbirds, waterbirds, for opportunities recruitment provide
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental decline particularly in, or near to, the
Commonwealth Commonwealth water has been been has water diverse and rich natural environments. Its consequence of past environmental watering and and watering environmental past of consequence
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints carried over over carried by the the by environmental environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Murrumbidgee River, and Billabong
build on the positive responses from vegetation in in vegetation from responses positive the on build natural waterways are a source of water
56 GL 56 being is of Commonwealth Commonwealth of
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands of and Yanco Creeks.
This year, Commonwealth environmental water will will water environmental Commonwealth year, This supply for domestic water use, extensive
771.9 GL GL 771.9
An estimated An international or national significance. eW are also
consumptive water. consumptive Maintain the current species diversity
turtles. turtles. agriculture and irrigated production, working toward the achievement of
Heritage, as well as conveyance and and conveyance as well as Heritage, and increase abundance of waterbirds
affected the recovery of vegetation, frogs and and frogs vegetation, of recovery the affected the cultural values and practices of environmental outcomes as outlined in the
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New by supporting breeding opportunities. GL
GL
wetlands, lack of inundation has negatively negatively has inundation of lack wetlands, local Aboriginal Traditional Owners and Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy (part manager, water environmental State by
771.9
56
some cases, particularly in the mid-Murrumbidgee mid-Murrumbidgee the in particularly cases, some of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Create the right conditions to improve
events and environmental water provided provided water environmental and events tourism and recreational activities.
wetlands in the lower Murrumbidgee. However, in in However, Murrumbidgee. lower the in wetlands Basin Plan). native fish spawning, movement
This water is often used to supplement natural natural supplement to used often is water This watering have improved the condition of many many of condition the improved have watering between areas, and improve the age
Environmental water is delivered to key locations
natural flow events and large-scale environmental environmental large-scale and events flow natural Summary of longer-term outcomes ranges and health of their irrigation districts. districts. irrigation to support the region’s unique native animals, Following the breaking of the millennium drought, drought, millennium the of breaking the Following communities. plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy natural under the Basin-wide Environmental
natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural waterways including internationally and nationally Watering Strategy
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed implementation. Plan Basin
in 2015-16 2015-16 in important wetlands and floodplains.
communities, as part of Murray-Darling Murray-Darling of part as communities, bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring Maintain base river flows, with the egionr
Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee The Murrumbidgee region is home to the vast and and Heritage, in consultation with local local with consultation in Heritage, and Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
was used in the the in used was nationally significant Lower Murrumbidgee River events. enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Environment of Office Wales South New envir
onmental water water onmental Floodplain and the mid-Murrumbidgee River
of Commonwealth Commonwealth of Environmental Water Holder and the and Holder Water Environmental
infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure Wetlands. The floodplain covers about 200,000 109 GL 109 A fresh event describes an increase in levels
and managed by the Commonwealth Commonwealth the by managed and
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment hectares and includes some of the largest lignum of the river beyond the base flow, but does
Government, including through through including Government, planned is region River Murrumbidgee
An estimated estimated An wetlands in New South Wales. It is also an not fill the river or go over the bank.
The delivery of environmental water in the in water environmental of delivery The The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The important bird breeding site, particularly for the
royal spoonbill, great egret, straw-necked ibis, Maintain current extent of river red gum to date to supply supply Australian white ibis and glossy ibis. and blackbox communities, along with
improvements to condition and greater Murrumbidgee the in environmental water water environmental The mid-Murrumbidgee River Wetlands consists of
several nationally significant wetlands, and likelihood of young tree survival. These
Environmental water use use water Environmental Commonwealth Commonwealth Bird watching in Redbank unless noted otherwise. noted unless
WAT387.0516D All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
Buckiinguy Swamp Buckiinguy
Pelicans at North Redbank North at Pelicans Back cover: Baby turtle at Twin Bridges wetlands Bridges Twin at turtle Baby cover: Back
River Murrumbidgee Cover:
Council with Commonwealth environmental water environmental Commonwealth with Council
Above: Indigenous protected area owned by Nari Nari Tribal Tribal Nari Nari by owned area protected Indigenous Above: water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. 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 ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Allowance Reference Group Reference Allowance
ater ater W Environmental Murrumbidgee ■
Charles Sturt University Sturt Charles ■
Riverina Local Land Services Services Land Local Riverina ■
Industries - Fisheries - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Water NSW Water ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17 Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
RIVER
onment and and onment Envir of Office Wales South New ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
address: Postal
MURRUMBIDGEE
River region, including: region, River
past and present. and past
with a number of people in the Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee the in people of number a with
309 682 0427 M:
@theCEWH
both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned, 2630 6951 02 P: 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 NSW Leeton, – officer engagement Local o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W:
community. and land water, to
Lenon Erin
[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 locally.
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
suggestions for the use of environmental water water environmental of use the for suggestions
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Erin Lenon, to learn more about our work or offer offer or work our about more learn to Lenon, Erin Our partners Our
Please contact your local engagement officer, officer, engagement local your contact Please Egret in Tarwillie in Egret
supports river red gum forests and black box communities are essential for providing
the southern-connected basin in 2015–16. in basin southern-connected the Environmental water is species’ population features a range of ages. of range a features population species’ wetlands that provide habitat to threatened food and habitat for many native
Environmental Water Holder’s portfolio across across portfolio Holder’s Water Environmental
recruitment means that over the long-term a a long-term the over that means recruitment species including the southern bell frog. animals across the Basin, and they are
environmental benefit. environmental
order to balance the Commonwealth Commonwealth the balance to order dedicated to improving
adolescence to adulthood. Supported Supported adulthood. to adolescence culturally significant to local Aboriginal
catchment) for equal or greater greater or equal for catchment) The Murrumbidgee River region is also home to
February 2016. These transfers were made in in made were transfers These 2016. February
most years, and support survival from from survival support and years, most people.
trade (sell water or buy in another another in buy or water (sell trade the Ramsar-listed Fivebough and Tuckerbil ■
NSW Murray system in November 2015 and and 2015 November in system Murray NSW the health of our rivers,
Water Holder aims to create breeding events events breeding create to aims Holder Water Swamps within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Improve the condition of lignum
Murrumbidgee via Inter Valley Transfer into the the into Transfer Valley Inter via Murrumbidgee
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in use
stages. The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The stages. communities, particularly focusing on
A total of 24 GL was transferred out of the the of out transferred was GL 24 of total A floodplains and
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold Commonwealth environmental flows are ■
fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish, the shrublands in the Lower
designed in partnership with state and local Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment
environmental demands environmental Murrumbidgee.
and 2014-15 2014-15 and
year. wetlands delivery partners to improve connections
use water to meet identified identified meet to water use ■
between 2009-10 2009-10 between
2016-17 water water 2016-17 between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, Maintain the extent of vegetation
native fish, turtles and frogs. frogs. and turtles fish, native Water Holder for the the for Holder Water Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee
can agree to: agree can The Murrumbidgee River contains particularly, to those sites that support nationally communities and prevent any further
Environmental Environmental used in the the in used provide recruitment opportunities for waterbirds, waterbirds, for opportunities recruitment provide
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental decline particularly in, or near to, the
Commonwealth Commonwealth water has been been has water diverse and rich natural environments. Its
consequence of past environmental watering and and watering environmental past of consequence
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints carried over over carried
by the the by environmental environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Murrumbidgee River, and Billabong
build on the positive responses from vegetation in in vegetation from responses positive the on build natural waterways are a source of water
56 GL 56 is being being is of Commonwealth Commonwealth of
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands of and Yanco Creeks.
This year, Commonwealth environmental water will will water environmental Commonwealth year, This supply for domestic water use, extensive
771.9 GL GL 771.9
An estimated An international or national significance. We are also
consumptive water. consumptive Maintain the current species diversity
turtles. turtles. agriculture and irrigated production, working toward the achievement of
Heritage, as well as conveyance and and conveyance as well as Heritage, and increase abundance of waterbirds
affected the recovery of vegetation, frogs and and frogs vegetation, of recovery the affected the cultural values and practices of environmental outcomes as outlined in the
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New by supporting breeding opportunities. GL
GL
wetlands, lack of inundation has negatively negatively has inundation of lack wetlands, local Aboriginal Traditional Owners and Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy (part by State environmental water manager, manager, water environmental State by
771.9
56
some cases, particularly in the mid-Murrumbidgee mid-Murrumbidgee the in particularly cases, some of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Create the right conditions to improve
events and environmental water provided provided water environmental and events tourism and recreational activities.
wetlands in the lower Murrumbidgee. However, in in However, Murrumbidgee. lower the in wetlands Basin Plan). native fish spawning, movement
This water is often used to supplement natural natural supplement to used often is water This watering have improved the condition of many many of condition the improved have watering between areas, and improve the age
Environmental water is delivered to key locations
natural flow events and large-scale environmental environmental large-scale and events flow natural Summary of longer-term outcomes ranges and health of their irrigation districts. districts. irrigation to support the region’s unique native animals, Following the breaking of the millennium drought, drought, millennium the of breaking the Following communities. plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy natural under the Basin-wide Environmental
natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural waterways including internationally and nationally Watering Strategy
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed implementation. Plan Basin
in 2015-16 2015-16 in important wetlands and floodplains.
bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring communities, as part of Murray-Darling Murray-Darling of part as communities, Maintain base river flows, with the region
Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee The Murrumbidgee region is home to the vast and Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental and Heritage, in consultation with local local with consultation in Heritage, and experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
was used in the the in used was nationally significant Lower Murrumbidgee River events. enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Environment of Office Wales South New environmental water water environmental
Floodplain and the mid-Murrumbidgee River
of Commonwealth Commonwealth of infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure
Environmental Water Holder and the the and Holder Water Environmental Wetands. The floodplain covers about 200,000 109 GL 109 A fresh event describes an increase in levels
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment
and managed by the Commonwealth Commonwealth the by managed and hectares and includes some of the largest lignum of the river beyond the base flow, but does
Government, including through through including Government, planned is region River Murrumbidgee
An estimated estimated An wetlands in New South Wales. It is also an not fill the river or go over the bank.
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The The delivery of environmental water in the the in water environmental of delivery The important bird breeding site, particularly for the
royal spoonbill, great egret, straw-necked ibis, Maintain current extent of river red gum supply supply
to date to Australian white ibis and glossy ibis. and blackbox communities, along with
improvements to condition and greater environmental water water environmental
in the Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee the in The mid-Murrumbidgee River Wetlands consists of
several nationally significant wetlands, and likelihood of young tree survival. These
Commonwealth Commonwealth Environmental water use use water Environmental Bird watching in Redbank unless noted otherwise. noted unless
WAT387.0516D All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
Buckiinguy Swamp Buckiinguy
Pelicans at North Redbank North at Pelicans Back cover: Baby turtle at Twin Bridges wetlands Bridges Twin at turtle Baby cover: Back
River Murrumbidgee Cover:
Council with Commonwealth environmental water environmental Commonwealth with Council
Above: Indigenous protected area owned by Nari Nari Tribal Tribal Nari Nari by owned area protected Indigenous Above: water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. 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 ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Allowance Reference Group Reference Allowance
Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Water Environmental Murrumbidgee ■
Charles Sturt University Sturt Charles ■
Riverina Local Land Services Services Land Local Riverina ■
Industries - Fisheries - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Water NSW Water ■
Industries – Water – Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
2016–17 2016–17 Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
RIVER
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
MURRUMBIDGEE MURRUMBIDGEE
River region, including: region, River
E: [email protected] [email protected] E:
past and present. and past
with a number of people in the Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee the in people of number a with
M: 0427 682 309 309 682 0427 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, P: 02 6951 2630 2630 6951 02 P: 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 Local engagement officer – Leeton, NSW NSW Leeton, – officer engagement Local o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W:
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
Erin Lenon Lenon Erin
[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 locally.
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
suggestions for the use of environmental water water environmental of use the for suggestions
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
Erin Lenon, to learn more about our work or offer offer or work our about more learn to Lenon, Erin Our partners Our
Please contact your local engagement officer, officer, engagement local your contact Please Egret in Tarwillie in Egret
supports river red gum forests and black box communities are essential for providing
the southern-connected basin in 2015–16. in basin southern-connected the Environmental water is species’ population features a range of ages. of range a features population species’ wetlands that provide habitat to threatened food and habitat for many native
Environmental Water Holder’s portfolio across across portfolio Holder’s Water Environmental
recruitment means that over the long-term a a long-term the over that means recruitment species including the southern bell frog. animals across the Basin, and they are
environmental benefit. environmental
order to balance the Commonwealth Commonwealth the balance to order dedicated to improving
adolescence to adulthood. Supported Supported adulthood. to adolescence culturally significant to local Aboriginal
catchment) for equal or greater greater or equal for catchment) The Murrumbidgee River region is also home to
February 2016. These transfers were made in in made were transfers These 2016. February
most years, and support survival from from survival support and years, most people.
trade (sell water or buy in another another in buy or water (sell trade the Ramsar-listed Fivebough and Tuckerbil ■
NSW Murray system in November 2015 and and 2015 November in system Murray NSW the health of our rivers,
Water Holder aims to create breeding events events breeding create to aims Holder Water Swamps within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Improve the condition of lignum
Murrumbidgee via Inter Valley Transfer into the the into Transfer Valley Inter via Murrumbidgee
use in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in use
stages. The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The stages. communities, particularly focusing on
A total of 24 GL was transferred out of the the of out transferred was GL 24 of total A floodplains and
hold on to the water and carry it over for for over it carry and water the to on hold Commonwealth environmental flows are ■
fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish, the shrublands in the Lower
designed in partnership with state and local Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment
environmental demands environmental Murrumbidgee.
and 2014-15 2014-15 and
year. wetlands delivery partners to improve connections
use water to meet identified identified meet to water use ■
between 2009-10 2009-10 between
2016-17 water water 2016-17 between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, Maintain the extent of vegetation
native fish, turtles and frogs. frogs. and turtles fish, native the for Holder Water Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee
can agree to: agree can The Murrumbidgee River contains particularly, to those sites that support nationally communities and prevent any further
Environmental used in the the in used provide recruitment opportunities for waterbirds, waterbirds, for opportunities recruitment provide
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth threatened species under the Environmental decline particularly in, or near to, the
Commonwealth Commonwealth water has been been has water diverse and rich natural environments. Its
consequence of past environmental watering and and watering environmental past of consequence
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints carried over over carried
by the the by environmental environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Murrumbidgee River, and Billabong
build on the positive responses from vegetation in in vegetation from responses positive the on build natural waterways are a source of water
56 GL 56 being is of Commonwealth Commonwealth of
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending 1999 and state-based legislation and wetlands of and Yanco Creeks.
This year, Commonwealth environmental water will will water environmental Commonwealth year, This supply for domestic water use, extensive
771.9 GL GL 771.9
An estimated An international or national significance. We are also
consumptive water. consumptive Maintain the current species diversity
turtles. turtles. agriculture and irrigated production, working toward the achievement of
Heritage, as well as conveyance and and conveyance as well as Heritage, and increase abundance of waterbirds
affected the recovery of vegetation, frogs and and frogs vegetation, of recovery the affected the cultural values and practices of environmental outcomes as outlined in the
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New by supporting breeding opportunities. GL
GL
wetlands, lack of inundation has negatively negatively has inundation of lack wetlands, local Aboriginal Traditional Owners and Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy (part manager, water environmental State by
771.9
56
some cases, particularly in the mid-Murrumbidgee mid-Murrumbidgee the in particularly cases, some of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Create the right conditions to improve
events and environmental water provided provided water environmental and events tourism and recreational activities.
wetlands in the lower Murrumbidgee. However, in in However, Murrumbidgee. lower the in wetlands Basin Plan). native fish spawning, movement
This water is often used to supplement natural natural supplement to used often is water This watering have improved the condition of many many of condition the improved have watering between areas, and improve the age
Environmental water is delivered to key locations
natural flow events and large-scale environmental environmental large-scale and events flow natural Summary of longer-term outcomes ranges and health of their irrigation districts. districts. irrigation to support the region’s unique native animals, Following the breaking of the millennium drought, drought, millennium the of breaking the Following communities. plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy natural under the Basin-wide Environmental
natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural waterways including internationally and nationally Watering Strategy
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed implementation. Plan Basin
in 2015-16 2015-16 in important wetlands and floodplains.
communities, as part of Murray-Darling Murray-Darling of part as communities, bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring Maintain base river flows, with the region
Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee The Murrumbidgee region is home to the vast and and Heritage, in consultation with local local with consultation in Heritage, and Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
was used in the the in used was nationally significant Lower Murrumbidgee River events. enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Environment of Office Wales South New
environmental water water environmental Floodplain and the mid-Murrumbidgee River
of Commonwealth Commonwealth of Environmental Water Holder and the the and Holder Water Environmental
infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure Wetands. The floodplain covers about 200,000 109 GL 109 A fresh event describes an increase in levels
and managed by the Commonwealth Commonwealth the by managed and
investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment hectares and includes some of the largest lignum of the river beyond the base flow, but does
Government, including through through including Government, planned is region River Murrumbidgee
An estimated estimated An wetlands in New South Wales. It is also an not fill the river or go over the bank.
The delivery of environmental water in the the in water environmental of delivery The The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The important bird breeding site, particularly for the
royal spoonbill, great egret, straw-necked ibis, Maintain current extent of river red gum to date to
supply supply Australian white ibis and glossy ibis. and blackbox communities, along with
improvements to condition and greater Murrumbidgee the in
environmental water water environmental The mid-Murrumbidgee River Wetlands consists of
several nationally significant wetlands, and likelihood of young tree survival. These
Environmental water use use water Environmental Commonwealth Commonwealth Bird watching in Redbank
MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
The Murrumbidgee River A reconnection would contribute to river flows Murrumbidgee River Channel and distributaries: Responding to and inundate wetlands, preventing further There is moderate demand for water to support travels around 1600km, from decline in vegetation and provide habitat for the ongoing recovery efforts of native fish environmental species including waterbirds, fish, turtles and populations. Previous watering actions have the Koscuiszko National Park, frogs. This watering would also contribute to contributed to the increase in native fish meeting demands downstream, including populations and improved water quality. through the low-lying plans demands Yanco Creek and the Junction and Lowbidgee Watering in 2016-17 may focus on supporting floodplain wetlands. native fish health and movement, by improving of the western Riverina, to Like all water users, Commonwealth flows that connect the river and its distributaries, This watering is influenced by water availability, where it joins the Murray and state water holders and and building habitat and conditions favoured by the capacity for dam releases and assessment native fish. River near Boundary Bend, a managers must consider variable of potential impacts to third parties. If a seasonal conditions when determining reconnection cannot occur water may be Yanco Creek system: There is moderate demand small town in Victoria. the best way to restore the Basin’s pumped to some individual wetlands. for water to maintain the existing good condition of wetland vegetation. Depending on the rivers, floodplains and wetlands. Lowbidgee floodplain wetlands: Watering will availability of water, watering can reconnect and The River is regulated by two major contribute to maintaining the condition and headwater storages, the Burrinjuck Dam on This involves careful consideration of the refill anabranch creeks and lagoons in the diversity of wetland vegetation and provide mid-Yanco Creek system. the Murrumbidgee River and the Blowering urgency of environmental demands each year habitat and recruitment opportunities for Dam on the Tumut River. (and from year to year and over multiple years) waterbirds, native fish, turtles and frogs. The Junction Wetlands: The Junction Wetlands are in and what we believe can be achieved Most water for the Murrumbidgee River timing and extent of watering depends on decline due to a lack of inundation. As such, depending on water availability due to environmental demand, and the activities of there is a high demand for water at a landscape comes from the upper portions of the conditions. catchment including Cotter, Yass, Molonglo, target species including the southern bell frog, scale to protect these wetlands. Inundation of Queanbeyan and Tumut rivers. Tributaries The following scenarios for the use of Murray cod, Australasian bittern and eastern the Junction Wetlands requires coordinated great egret. higher flows in the Murray and Murrumbidgee. immediately downstream of the dams that Commonwealth environmental water in 2016-17 Yanco weir also make a significant contribution to water are based on our assessment of environmental If a reconnection cannot occur water may be If there is little water available, watering in the pumped to some individual wetlands. flows in the Murrumbidgee River include the demands (in the context of targeted outcomes Lowbidgee will focus on maintaining critical Adelong, Adjungbilly, Gilmore and Houlghans and watering requirements, watering history, refuge sites for fish, turtles and frogs. However, Further information on our planning process and Creeks and the Goobarragandra River. asset condition and the available supply if it is wet, large scale wetland and floodplain for a copy of the Portfolio Management Plan according to different scenarios). inundation may be possible to maintain and for the Murrumbidgee River 2016-17 visit Southern Bell Frog. Mid-Murrumbidgee wetlands: These wetlands build the resilience of wetlands in the Redbank www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo are in decline due to a lack of inundation. As system (including Yanga National Park) Nimmie-Caira and Western Lakes. such, there is a high demand for water to Native aquatic vegetation. protect these wetlands and assist in recovery. Regional scale watering (for example, restoring A key priority for Commonwealth environmental landscape scale waterbird habitat through the watering is to support the reconnection of the lower Lachlan and Lowbidgee floodplain) may mid-Murrumbidgee wetlands to the also occur under a wetter scenario. Murrumbidgee River over winter-spring.
North Redbank.
The mid-Murrumbidgee wetlands recorded it first breeding event of the Outcomes snapshot inland banjo frog since 2010. Six additional frog species were recorded breeding on the Lowbidgee Scientific monitoring shows that water delivered to the Murrumbidgee River is floodplains, including the vulnerable southern bell frog. providing food, habitat and breeding opportunities for many of the region’s unique native fish, waterbirds, plants and wildlife. Wetland dependent vegetation in Yarradda Lagoon was maintained and improved. There was an increase in coverage of spiny mud grass Full monitoring reports are available each year on our website: which is an important aquatic species. www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo/catchment/murrumbidgee/monitoring There was a boom in native bird breeding following environmental water delivery to the Yanga National Park in early 2015. Nests of the 2015-16 nankeen night heron, cormorant and darters were recorded. Southern bell frogs were active and recorded at numerous sites in the Additionally, the eastern great egret bred for the first time in the Park Murrumbidgee Valley, including very high number of southern bell frogs since 2011. recorded in the Nimmie-Caira. Evidence of highly productive microinvertebrate communities Commonwealth environmental water supported waterbird breeding (important food for larval fish and filter-feeding waterbirds) were events including for Australian darter, little pied cormorant, Australian recorded. white ibis, little egret and yellow-billed spoonbill. Additionally 200 active nests were counted for the eastern great egret. 2013-14 Consecutive years of inundation at Yarradda Lagoon in the mid- Improved fish reproduction and condition led to an increased Murrumbidgee wetlands has resulted in an increase in diversity and abundance of native species including bony herring, carp gudgeon extent in spiny mud grass. and Murray cod.
Environmental water supported diverse food webs including algae and 2014-15 microinvertebrates for the benefit of fish and waterbirds native to the Environmental watering in 2014-15 saw an improvement in water quality Lowbidgee wetlands. These are critical food sources for wetland fauna and a reduction of dissolved nutrients on the floodplain. Return flows in including native larval fish and filter feeding duck species. the Lowbidgee Floodplain also contributed to improved water quality Waterbird habitats benefited from water delivered to wetlands. across river red gum wetlands. 52 species, including threatened (under NSW legislation) blue-billed and Golden perch and the critically endangered silver perch were detected freckled ducks, were observed across 49 survey sites. spawning along the river channel between November and December Southern bell frogs were recorded at key sites in the Nimmie-Caira 2014. following environmental watering. Other native fish species such as the threatened Murray Cod and the Australian Smelt spawned in the Murrumbidgee River. Results also indicated good larval numbers and low abundance of invasive species larvae.
www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo