Partnering with Aboriginal peoples
Water for Country is environmental water use planned by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Aboriginal people to achieve shared benefits for the environment and cultural places, values and/or interests.
In 2026–27, we will partner with Aboriginal peoples and organisations in the Gwydir catchment. This includes working alongside the Baagaybidi Gali group (Big River Water Group) to support two-way learning and community-led projects that strengthen cultural knowledge and care for Country. For example, we will:
- support the development of a Gwydir Cultural Flows Plan to help identify where, when and why water is needed to achieve cultural, environmental and community outcomes
- continue to support the development of the Gwydir On-Country Waterways Assessment, a community-led tool that combines cultural knowledge and science to better understand the health of rivers and wetlands. This assessment:
- measures wetland and river health
- identifies cultural and biodiversity values of waterways
- guides management and understanding of Country
- helps communities identify and meet their water needs, including cultural water
- strengthens advice to government
- supports access to future funding opportunities.
Key planned actions for 2026–27
Native fish
Native fish populations in the Gwydir catchment are in poor condition. In 2026-27, actions will focus on supporting recruitment and survival of riverine specialist species, maintaining refuges in low flow periods and supporting spawning outcomes through maintaining lateral connectivity between rivers and wetlands.
A key action for native fish will be the provision of up to 20 gigalitres (GL) of water for the environment in the Mehi River to meet basic ecological requirements.
Waterbirds
Australian waterbird populations are in long-term decline. To support waterbirds, up to 68 GL of environmental water will be delivered in the Gwydir catchment to provide food, shelter and breeding habitat.
Under a wet scenario, heavy catchment rainfall resulting in large river flows and floodplain inundation may trigger waterbird breeding events within the wetland systems. In response, 15–30 GL of water for the environment may also be delivered to support these events.
Vegetation
Environmental flows will be delivered to the Gwydir wetlands system, including Gingham, Lower Gwydir and Mallowa watercourses, to maintain the current condition and extent of wetland vegetation communities.
Vegetation communities will also benefit from water allocated to support waterbird populations. Rainfall may trigger the delivery of held environmental water in the Mehi River and/or Carole Creek to support in-stream and riparian vegetation.
Connectivity
In 2026–27, lateral and longitudinal connectivity will be supported where possible. Lateral connections (between rivers and floodplains) are likely through key watering actions in wetlands and some floodplain areas. Longitudinal connections (along rivers) will be supported when opportunities arise to meet basic ecological needs, especially between watercourses and wetlands.
Connections with the Barwon River will be made when opportunities arise or where there is a high ecological need during the water year. Up to 25.2 GL of water for the environment may be provided to support connectivity.
Map of proposed annual priority targets in the water resource plan area 2026–27
For more information on each catchment's resource availability scenario and expected volumes, visit our Annual environmental watering priorities 2026-27 webpage.
