Drought update
New South Wales has experienced another very dry winter and spring forecasts show that dry and hot conditions are likely to continue. To preserve remaining supplies for critical needs, we’re placing additional restrictions on water delivery in some northern regulated rivers.
The latest changes are:
- water delivery has ceased below Warren Weir in the Macquarie River
- over the next few months, water delivery will be reduced in the Peel River below Dungowan, and the Border Rivers system below Goondiwindi.
There is more positive news in the south, with enough rainfall to provide a 6% general security allocation in the Murrumbidgee.
For more information on the help available and alternative water supplies for those affected, refer to our Drought Information section on the Drought Update page.
Based on feedback from recent community information sessions, we’ve updated our website to include information on the priority of general security carryover water and the process for reducing groundwater allocations.
We are planning more drought information sessions for 2019. Dates will be posted on our Information Sessions page, when confirmed.
Independent panel for constraints review announced
The NSW and Victorian governments have appointed an independent expert panel to review the Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA’s) modelling of the effects of higher environmental flows in the southern-connected Basin.
The review is in response to community concerns about the effects of the proposed higher flows on riparian land, business and local infrastructure. It will also consider the likely environmental benefits of these overbank flows, and the way authorities will manage the operational risks of delivering water at the targeted rates.
The panel will assess if the MDBA’s existing modelling is sufficient to show that higher flows can be delivered in real time, to assess and manage risks, and ensure the environmental benefits are clear.
Click here to read the whole newsletter which includes
- Funding for emergency drought initiatives
- NRAR releases its first progress report
- Rural Adversity Mental Health Program
- Water delivery for the parched Koondrook and Perricoota state forests
- Local water utilities performance data available online
- Tracking native fish to help manage water for the environment
- NSW exhibits final water resource plans for public comment for Namoi & Barwon-Darling
- Improving management of held environmental water
- & lots more
