Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Advisory Group
The Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Advisory Group (EWAG) provides advice on the management of environmental water in the Murrumbidgee catchment. Sources of environmental water include three allowances established under the Water Sharing Plan for the Murrumbidgee Regulated River Water Source 2003, adaptive environmental water held by the Office of Environment and Heritage and allocations made available from entitlements held by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
The main Murrumbidgee Water Sharing Plan environmental allowance is for 50,000 ML which is credited in full when general security accounts have 60% available water (including any carryover from the previous year). The allowances are intended to be used to benefit waterbird breeding, wetland inundation, fish migration and breeding, and water quality.
Who are the members of the EWAG?
Membership includes representatives from the:
- Aboriginal community
- Industry & Investment NSW
- Lowbidgee League
- Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority
- Murrumbidgee Customer Service Committee
- Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists
- Nature Conservation Council
- NSW Office of Water
- Office of Environment and Heritage
- State Water Corporation
- Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (observer status).
The Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority chairs the EWAG.
A copy of the Environmental Watering Plan for the Murrumbidgee Valley is available by contacting the EWAG.
Contacting the EWAG
David Bishop
Office of Environment and Heritage
PO Box 544, Albury NSW 2640
Telephone: (02) 6022 0618
Email: david.bishop@environment.nsw.gov.au
Page last updated: 05 March 2012
