About the program
Across the Murray–Darling Basin, waterways, wetlands and floodplains have been impacted by the ongoing impacts of water extraction, altered river flows and loss of connectivity between watercourses and their adjacent wetlands. The Gwydir Reconnecting Watercourse Country Program (RWCP) is working to re-establish connections between waterways and wetlands, as well as working with landholders to improve access, monitoring and communications within the Gwydir floodplain.
A key focus of the Gwydir RWCP is the relaxation of system constraints that limit the movement and effectiveness of held environmental water deliveries. These constraints include:
- physical barriers, such as informal watercourse crossings and existing in-stream works
- non-physical barriers, such as operational rules or management arrangements, including easements and other measures.
Reducing these constraints across the Gwydir RWCP’s 3 project areas will improve the health of these ecosystems.
The RWCP is shaped by its partnerships with landholders, Gomeroi/Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay communities, government agencies and the broader community. It is grounded in evidence, local knowledge and engagement.
The Gwydir RWCP brings together environmental, cultural and community priorities to deliver lasting benefits for:
- healthy rivers and wetlands
- productive farming landscapes
- improved connection to Country
- local communities and future generations.
The Gwydir Reconnecting Watercourse Country Program is an NSW Government initiative proudly funded by the Australian Government under the Northern Basin Toolkit.
Location
The Gwydir RWCP focuses on 3 project areas across the Gwydir floodplain:
- the Gingham Watercourse
- the Lower Gwydir Watercourse
- the Lower Mehi River, which includes the Mallowa Watercourse and Ballin Boora Creek.
The Gwydir Valley contains the internationally significant Gwydir Wetlands, an example of terminal delta wetlands, which are found when a river delta occurs in an inland valley. The Gwydir Valley is also the home of many agricultural enterprises that significantly contribute to Australia’s food and fibre industry.
Why the program matters
The Gwydir floodplain supports both highly productive farmland and the Gwydir Wetlands. Wetland areas are found along the watercourses on both public and private lands.
The Gwydir Wetlands are one of the most important wetlands in Australia and are a vital part of the Murray–Darling Basin. Located near Moree in north-western New South Wales, these wetlands have been substantially modified and now cover only a small proportion of their original extent.
The Gwydir Wetlands also contain 4 Ramsar-listed subsites, recognised globally for their ecological importance. The wetlands provide habitat and resources for many rare, endangered and threatened plant and animal species. When conditions are right, the Gwydir Wetlands support some of the largest mass waterbird breeding events in Australia.
By ensuring environmental water reaches the wetlands at the right time and in the right volumes, activities completed under the Gwydir RWCP will:
- support major waterbird breeding events
- improve fish habitat
- sustain wetland vegetation
- strengthen the overall health and sustainability of the wetlands.
Healthy wetlands help filter water, store carbon, recharge groundwater and provide habitat for many native plant and animal species.
Delivering the program
The Gwydir RWCP is separated into 2 distinct phases.
This phase – which focuses on planning activities, improved monitoring and ongoing collaboration with landholders, First Nations communities and government partners – is funded through to 31 December 2026. A construction delivery component is also underway, with funding until 30 June 2027.
Activities underway include:
- construction of priority watercourse crossings in the Gingham and Lower Gwydir watercourses
- reinstating flows in the Gingham Watercourse through targeted remediation activities at the raft
- modification of an existing physical work within the Gwydir Wetlands State Conservation Area
- installation of telemetered hydrometric monitoring stations with cameras and weather sensors at key locations
- finalisation of hydraulic model simulations and inundation mapping products
- improving environmental water notifications and communications
- filling knowledge gaps on environmental assets, flow conditions needed to support for healthy ecosystems and licensing status of existing physical works in the lower Mehi River, Mallowa Watercourse and Ballin Boora Creek areas
- collaboration and engagement with landholders and First Nations communities.
These activities deliver practical benefits now and will support future work across the Gwydir floodplain.
This phase will build on the activities completed in Phase 1. Phase 2 includes longer-term measures to improve the effectiveness of environmental water deliveries, subject to the confirmation of future funding.
Phase 2 may include:
- easements negotiated using the NSW Landholder Negotiation Scheme (LNS)
- additional measures to improve connectivity and reduce constraints
- improved communications around water deliveries
- continued collaboration and engagement with landholders and communities.
Easements and other long-term arrangements will only proceed if additional funding is secured.
Working with landholders
Landholders are central to the success of the Gwydir RWCP. Many waterways and wetlands flow through privately owned and managed farming properties. The Gwydir RWCP recognises the importance of productive agriculture and works with landholders to understand local conditions.
Property visits, place-based engagements and ongoing discussions have helped build a clearer understanding of:
- inundation patterns of environmental water delivery
- farm access issues
- water management challenges.
This approach helps ensure activities reflect local knowledge, support practical outcomes and balance environmental needs with productive agriculture.
Inundation mapping portal coming soon
The Gwydir RWCP inundation mapping portal is coming soon and will provide access to the program's modelled outputs showing potential inundation extents and depths for the flow limit considered by the program.
Landholder questions and answers
The Gwydir RWCP will help environmental water reach key wetlands, supporting ongoing improvements in ecological health across the Gwydir floodplains.
Phase 1 of the Gwydir RWCP aims to reduce impacts where possible through the construction of priority watercourse crossings.
Phase 2 of the Gwydir RWCP aims to further reduce impacts through easements, other long-term arrangements and improved communications about water deliveries.
Future Phase 2 activities are dependent on securing additional funding. If further funding is confirmed, easement negotiations will be managed under the NSW Landholder Negotiation Scheme.
Updates will be provided via email, SMS, the website and direct contact.
Installing telemetered monitoring
Solar-powered telemetered monitoring stations are being installed at strategic locations across the RWCP area to provide better local information about water flows. These stations include:
- water level sensors
- high-definition cameras
- weather stations (in some cases).
This improved monitoring network will provide near real-time information to support water management.
Live dashboard coming soon
Hydrometric station data, including daily photographs of wetlands, will soon be available.
About the Gwydir Wetlands
A place of international significance
The Gwydir Wetlands are a breathtaking mosaic of water, vegetation and wildlife. They are one of the most important wetlands in Australia and are a vital part of the Murray–Darling Basin.
Broadly, the Gwydir Wetlands consist of both private and public lands. This includes the Gwydir Wetlands State Conservation Area and 4 smaller wetlands: Old Dromana, Goddards Lease, Crinolyn and Windella wetlands, which are recognised internationally under the Ramsar Convention.
When conditions are right, the wetlands provide habitat for thousands of waterbirds and many rare and threatened species. During wet times migratory birds arrive in large numbers, native fish move through the waterways and wetland vegetation flourishes.
For Gomeroi/Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians, the wetlands remain a place of deep cultural significance and enduring connection to Country. The wetlands are important for people, native species and Country. They help filter water, store carbon and recharge groundwater.
Caring for the Gwydir Wetlands depends on strong partnerships between landholders, First Nations communities, government agencies and the wider community.
First Nations partnerships
The Gwydir RWCP recognises the deep, enduring and important connection that Gomeroi/Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians have with Country.
Over time, the Gwydir RWCP has built strong relationships with First Nations communities across the Gwydir Valley. Through listening, learning and working together, First Nations knowledge and values are helping shape the Gwydir RWCP’s priorities and outcomes. Key areas of focus include improving access to Country, creating economic opportunities, and strengthening cultural and knowledge outcomes.
In partnership with the Australian Government, the Gwydir RWCP supports the Bagaaybidi Gali Group (Big River Water Group), a First Nations environmental water group. This group was established to provide advice to government and lead community, cultural and environmental initiatives.
Bagaaybidi Gali Group
‘Yaama! Our vision is that we are all sitting together by the river, working to care for Country for present and future generations.’
Established in October 2023, the Bagaaybidi Gali Group brings together Elders, young people, women and men from across the Gwydir Valley. The group is leading a series of interconnected community-led initiatives that:
- assess the health of rivers, wetlands and Country through cultural knowledge and science
- strengthen understanding of cultural water needs and support future cultural water planning
- share knowledge about seasons, plants and animals, weather and cultural practices
- record and celebrate stories, places and cultural connections across the catchment
- support two-way learning and knowledge sharing
- create pathways for education, employment and community development.
This work is informing environmental water planning and creating lasting cultural, community and economic benefits for the Gwydir Valley.
Water Stories exhibition
The Gwydir RWCP has partnered with the Moree and District Historical Society to create an exhibition of striking photographs. The Water Stories photographic exhibition celebrates the shared story of water, people and place in the Gwydir Valley.
The exhibition includes images of the local natural history, early European settlement, artesian baths and more, telling the story of how water has shaped the region’s communities, farms and wetland environments. Now on display at the Moree Plains Museum, the exhibition is attracting locals and travellers visiting the area.
Visit the Water Stories exhibition
When: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays
Where: Moree Plains Museum, 40 Frome Street, Moree
