As the 2024-25 water year ends, we're celebrating the power of partnerships.
The rivers, wetlands and native species have been supported in the northern Murray-Darling Basin thanks to our collaboration with:
- Queensland government
- NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW)
- NSW Fisheries.
This included attracting frogs to not only survive but thrive in the Macquarie.
Our joint environmental watering efforts made a difference right across the northern Basin this year, including various areas.
Gwydir Valley
Spring flows supported native fish breeding and movement in the Gwydir RiverSupplementary flows boosted connectivity through the Mehi and Carole/Gil Gil Creeks to the Barwon River. From summer to autumn, we focused on sustaining habitat for birds, fish, and frogs in:
- Mallowa
- Gingham
- Lower Gwydir wetlands.
Macquarie Valley
We inundated about 18.5% of the Macquarie Marshes (~37,000 ha) in spring and early summer. Environmental water supported reedbeds, couch grass, and river red gums. These are key habitats for:
- frogs
- waterbirds
- native fish like Murray cod.
Autumn flows helped aquatic species disperse and access new food and habitat areas.
Namoi Valley
In early autumn, environmental water supported native fish movement and connectivity from the Lower Namoi to the Barwon River.With the natural flood events in April, we paused managed flows to let nature take over.
Lower Balonne
It was a big year for the Lower Balonne in Queensland, with water inundating the Ramsar-listed Narran Lakes. This has contributed to flows in important fish breeding areas like the Culgoa River. Water is being protected across the Queensland-NSW border to continue to improve river systems downstream.
Barwon-Darling and Menindee Lakes
Much of the water used by the CEWH to improve conditions for fish, wetlands, birds - and yes, frogs! - continues to flow downstream to get great results right along the northern river systems and into Menindee Lakes.
In fact, environmental water used by the CEWH and protected down the system contributed more than 45 GL of additional water into Menindee Lakes. Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Dr Simon Banks, highlighted the ongoing partnership with NSW DCCEEW as essential to the success of these efforts.
"Every year, we focus on meeting specific environmental demands in each region. These priorities align with our broader environmental objectives across the Murray-Darling Basin," Dr Banks said.
"Strong partnerships enable smarter deliveries. We're grateful for the critical role NSW DCCEEW plays in delivering and monitoring water for the environment when and where it's needed most.
"Together, we've helped sustain fragile ecosystems, breathe life into wetlands, and create sanctuaries for native species. That's a solid year of making a real difference by valuing every drop."
