Healthy rivers, healthy communities

Many rivers of the Murray-Darling The Commonwealth Environmental In wetter years, we look to improve Basin have been changed to provide Water Office provides water for river system health and help fish and Northern water for towns, industry, food and the environment when native wildlife build up numbers. In the driest fibre production. plants and animals need it most. years we maintain system health and This is critical to keeping rivers reduce environmental damage. This has interrupted the natural flow healthy, so they continue to sustain Basin of water that plants and animals healthy communities. Our highest priority in most years is need to survive. With natural runoff to support internationally important from rainfall now captured in dams Water availability can change wetlands and increase the connection or extracted for human use, the dramatically in the northern Basin. of with the Barwon- pattern of flow in rivers needs to This changes how we use water . be actively managed to keep them for the environment and is why we healthy. need to carefully plan our potential watering options every year.

Our Local Engagement Officers are based in Moree, Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Walgett and Goondiwindi.

For more information contact: To view our Water Management Plan 2021-22, or an • Moree, NSW - Jane Humphries, 0437 141 495 Water for the Environment – 2021-22 Planning Overview overview of planning in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin, • Walgett, NSW - Jason Wilson, 0418 210 389 visit environment.gov.au/water/cewo • Goondiwindi, QLD – Sally Dickinson, 0448 759 650

A message from the Interim Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Planning our use of water for the environment in 2021-22

Water storages across the northern These environmental outcomes will Each year, planning the best use of What we aim to achieve - when, where and how our water is delivered Basin have increased substantially be aided by the efforts of the NSW Commonwealth water begins long - depends on how much water is allocated to our entitlements by state during 2021, resulting in much and Queensland governments to before the water starts flowing. governments. Every year is different. We plan water use scenarios for improved water allocations. protect environmental flows into and a range of weather conditions (from dry to wet) so we can adapt to However, due to the severity of the along the Barwon-Darling River. We work with local water whatever seasonal conditions eventuate. record-breaking drought, recovery managers, scientists, First Nations, We are continuing to build river operators and landholders of river and wetland ecosystems will Water available in 2021-22* take time and require further large relationships with First Nations to prioritise critical sites and communities, to learn from and carefully plan where water for the flows. Carryover from Potential allocations to identify ways to support cultural environment will be delivered in the previous year Commonwealth entitlements

Our water use in the year ahead will values alongside environmental year ahead. Their advice ensures our Dry** Wet*** continue to support the recovery outcomes. water use is backed by science and of native fish populations and the meets local needs. Macquarie 71GL 87GL 197GL We look forward to working with our internationally important Macquarie Namoi 13GL 14GL 27GL Marshes, Gwydir Wetlands and partners in the coming year to deliver We prepare a Water Management 60GL 74GL 140GL The rainfall and inflows across Narran Lakes. We plan to use water to where it’s needed most. Plan which considers Gwydir much of the Murray-Darling Basin water for the environment to boost • water availability for the coming 7GL 10GL 16GL over the last 12 months have been the benefits of natural inflows by year * For regulated systems only. a welcome relief. I’m pleased to keeping rivers flowing for longer and • seasonal rainfall outlook ** 90 percentile – calculations based on historical driest 9 out of 10 years. • health of river and wetland plants Cumulative total estimated for 30 June 2022. see the rivers of the north and topping up small flushes. and animals. *** 10 percentile – calculations based on historical wettest 1 out of 10 years. south of the Basin connected, with Hilton Taylor Cumulative total estimated for 30 June 2022. the Barwon-Darling River once We will scale our water use as the Interim Commonwealth again flowing from Queensland to season unfolds. Careful planning Environmental Water Holder the . is critical to making the most for the environment from the water available. Northern Murray-Darling Basin

Planning for 2021-22

We plan water use scenarios for very dry through to very wet conditions WorkingHealthy with First Nations Rivers, and adapt to whatever season eventuates. Rivers in the northern Basin The Commonwealth Environmental can switch from being dry to in flood within days or weeks. In times of Water Office pays respect to the Healthy Communities drought, rivers can shrink back to small pools or dry up completely. Traditional Owners and First Nations of A the Murray-Darling Basin. The return of wetter conditions provides an opportunity for rivers to flow We acknowledge their enduring cultural, from top to bottom and reconnect to important wetlands. These are social, environmental, spiritual and critical times for plants and animals to feed and breed and recover from economic connection to the rivers, wetlands and floodplains of the Basin. the drought. Native fish take the opportunity to move throughout the river We are committed to continuously Condamine-Balonne system and build resilience for when the dry times return. improving how we work with First Nations

Support recovery of native across the Basin to manage water for the fish across the Lower environment. Balonne. Rebuild important Chavleville waterbird habitat at Narran Lakes. Enhance connection B with Barwon-Darling system. Toowoomba

D Border Rivers Support recovery of native fish, particularly in the Border Rivers main channels. Enhance connection with Warrego St George Barwon system. Increase connection with Cunnamulla Nebine Creek A Darling River. Maintain health Goondiwindi of the Warrego floodplain. C Currawinya Lakes B Gwydir Wetlands Ramsar site Ramsar site Macintyre River D Moree C Severn River E Gwydir Restore condition of key Wetlands Mehi River Ramsar site E wetland areas along Mallowa Barwon River Narran Lake Creek, Carole Creek, and the Ramsar site Lower Gwydir and Gingham Barwon-Darling F watercourses. Enhance Protect unregulated flows Bourke Narrabri connection between Gwydir to refresh refuge pools, Paroo River and Barwon systems. improve water quality, boost native fish health and promote fish movement along the Barwon-Darling. G Macquarie F Marshes Ramsar site Tamworth

Wilcannia

Macquarie G Namoi Support drought recovery Support drought recovery Broken Hill of Macquarie Marshes, in the Namoi and Peel including at Ramsar and rivers. Increase connection Darling River waterbird breeding sites. between habitats. Support Support native fish breeding Dubbo native fish movement and and growth. improve fish health. Menindee

PHOTO CREDITS: (A) & (D) University of New England (B) Bron Powell, NSW DPI Fisheries (G) Nicola Brookhouse, NSW NPWS Forbes Orange

Riverland Banrock Station Ramsar site Weland Complex Ramsar site River Murray

Mildura Griffith Fivebough-Tuckerbil Ramsar site Renmark Leeton NSW Central Murray Wagga Wagga Hattah-Kulkyne Forests Ramsar Site Murray Bridge Lakes Ramsar site Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Swan Hill Albert Ramsar site Barmah Forest Canberra Lake Ramsar site Kerang Albacutya Deniliquin Wetlands Ramsar site Ramsar site Murray River Albury Gunbower

Loddon River Forest Ramsar site Ovens River Wimmera River Bendigo Shepparton

Horsham