Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Advisory Group communique

The Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Advisory Group met on 23 September 2025 in Leeton. The meeting was chaired by Anna Wilson. 

Water planning and delivery

At the time of the meeting, Burrinjuck Dam was at 66.3% capacity and Blowering Dam at 60.5% capacity. The group noted that current storage levels are gradually improving, with expectations of reaching significant storage capacity by mid-October. The long-range weather forecast predicts wetter conditions in the coming months.

Flood operations and water insights

The group received an update on flood operations training and support for key projects, including the Murrumbidgee and Yanco Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism program. The program is part of implementing of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. It includes works that are designed to enhance environmental watering activities so they use less water to achieve similar or improved environmental outcomes for rivers, wetlands and wildlife.

Environmental water delivery

North Redbank received 22 gigalitres of environmental water to support Australasian bittern habitat. Water level monitoring has increased at this site to help inform environmental water managers on water delivery decisions.

Central North Redbank wetlands will receive maintenance flows during spring and summer, focusing on Australasian bittern monitoring.

The Western Lakes received 80 gigalitres of environmental water in mid-July to support Australasian bitterns and Australian little bitterns. The watering has helped support Australian painted snipe, which have once again returned to the lakes this season.

Feral animal exclusion fencing has been partially completed at the Western Lakes. The flood-proof design makes this fencing a beneficial long-term investment and should maximise the response of a range of native species.

Monitoring for the endangered purple spotted gudgeon (a native small-bodied fish that was stocked in the small wetlands next to Paika Lake in late 2024) has shown evidence of successful recruitment. The use of fine mesh screens during water delivery, which prevented exotic fish from entering the lake, was a key factor in the survival of the gudgeons. This strategy is proving to be a beneficial management approach and will support long-term outcomes. NSW environmental water managers will continue to screen and monitor responses at the Western Lakes, where possible.

A carp screen is planned for the pump inlet at Yarradda Lagoon, and Darlington Point Fishing Club is planning to stock the site with golden perch. A February top-up flow is planned to support fingerling development.

At Gayini, an environmental flow is planned for mid to late October, pending flood-related infrastructure repairs.

Aboriginal cultural access licence

Aboriginal cultural water has been delivered to wetlands in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area using a cultural access licence. The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) Water for the Environment program is covering the 15% delivery loss allowance and water use costs. This is a collaborative effort between Riverina Local Land Services, Leeton and Griffith local Aboriginal land councils, NSW DCCEEW, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and Murrumbidgee Irrigation.

Leeton field trip

On the second day of the meeting, the group toured the Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands to see the outcomes being achieved by the cultural access licence water. The group saw Cudgel Creek and met with Biodiversity Conservation Trust staff who explained how their program worked.