Environmental flows update
Environmental flows are currently being released targeting the Gingham. These will last for approximately 6 weeks, or until the Gingham waterhole has filled.
GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION
News & Events
GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION
Environmental flows are currently being released targeting the Gingham. These will last for approximately 6 weeks, or until the Gingham waterhole has filled.
The Easement Inundation Amendments went through NSW parliament this week, coming into effect on Monday the 18th May 2026.
Water NSW has provided the following information.
"We recognise the potential for impacts to some landholders in the Gwydir, and are committed to operating
in good faith and providing adequate advance notification of any future environment water releases that may
affect landholders.
The environmental water holders will also continue to liaise with potentially impacted landholders, and
provide information on the extent, timing, duration and purpose of their watering events.
To receive notifications from WaterNSW, please sign up to receive ‘environmental water release’ alerts through our Early
Warning Network (EWN) platform. "
Please find included Media from the shadow water minister Steph Cooke MP and our local member, shadow agricultural minister Brendan Moylan MP.
The media is related to the Water Management Amendment (Easements for Inundation) Bill 2026.
The Opposition moved an amendment to provide for a statutory Deed of Release pathway as an alternative to enduring easements. This would have provided landholders with a more flexible, negotiated and reviewable mechanism, while still allowing environmental watering outcomes to be delivered responsibly. This amendment was not supported by Labor or the Greens. The Bill was rushed through the Legislative Council with the Greens' support on 7 May 2026.
The Bill is now awaiting consideration by the Legislative Assembly, anticipated it may be brought on for debate in the coming days.
A CASE FOR STABILITY IN THE MURRAY DARLING BASIN: THERE’S NO NEED TO REDUCE WATER FROM FARMING
* 72% of inflows now remain in rivers for the environment,
* 1 in 3 Litres of water has been removed from farming since the 1990s
* MDBA data shows 92% of environmental indicators would not improve with further water recovery.
Today’s science shows that protecting river health is more than “just adding water”. There is no need for further reductions in the water for farming. It’s time to optimise existing investment and take practical, on ground action, including; tackling invasive species, restoring
habitat, improving fish passage, and targeting barriers to healthy rivers.
After decades of reform, communities and farmers need stability. This means no more changes to existing water limits (inc. SDLAM adjusted)
and no more water recovery by any means.
The pathway forward is a partnership with communities who live and work in the Basin - the Basin’s future depends on it.
The NSW DCCEEW announced s324 water restrictions are in place as of today the 17th April 2026.
These are designed to be extreme event policies, however the government have decided to apply the s324 as the active volume in the upper
Menindee lakes has fallen below 250GL.
We have argued against this and were able to get the relaxation triggers for FPH in line with those in the Gwydir WSP, a significant
win. The restrictions in the Gwydir are as follows:
Gwydir Regulated River Water Source
• floodplain harvesting (regulated river) access licences {The relaxation triggers for FPH licences (as per those already in the WSP, linked
to 195GL total storage)}
• supplementary water access licences
Gingham Watercourse Water Source
• floodplain harvesting (unregulated river) access licences
• unregulated river access licences
Mallowa Creek Management Zone in the Mehi River Water Source
• unregulated river access licences
Full details of the restrictions are available on the department website link included
Some members with FPH licences will not be using all storages in their works approvals to take water when the opportunity occurs. If this is the case you will need to make these storages inactive, now referred to as "classified as not taking licensed water".
These storages can be made active into the future if your situation changes. Please read the guide, and or watch the video.
Please follow the link included. Scroll down to the section Amend the works as not taking FPH water
Amend - To ensure your approval is correct, it's your responsibility to confirm that your approval matches the works
listed.
Select Works that are classified as not taking
licensed water
To classify your work as not taking licensed water (water supply work or floodplain harvesting), please login or register in the Customer
Portal and
complete the ‘Amend the status of your work’ form.
Please note: There may already be a pre-populated status for your work in the Customer Portal based on our records. If
there isn’t a status pre-populated or the status selected is incorrect, please select the correct classification to describe your work.
Further information:
Entitlement holders in the Gwydir will have received letters regarding works Classifications. We have requested that additional information be provided to you to assist in completing the classification of works. In preparation, we suggest you register on the WaterNSW customer portal.
The MDBA will be meeting with community outside Brookers Trading on Balo St for 2-4pm on Monday 30th March
The GVIA will be hosting the MDBA at our office at 10:00 am on Tuesday 31st March - Please join us.
The key messages are detailed in the attached file. In summary
- No Rule Changes, compulsory acquisition is not appropriate
- No more water from Agriculture, 72% of water is already for the environment
- Community supported constraints must be completed, the NSW government must be held accountable
- Complementary measures such as carp control must be implemented
- Infrastructure must be updated at Menindee and to provide critical needs
- Socio-economic impacts must be recognised appropriately
- The Gwydir SDL do not need adjusting
The MDBA will be meeting with the Gwydir CGA on Monday the 16th March. Some of the key people from the MDBA will be present to talk
through current issues and the Discussion Paper.
This will be at the Social Co-House in Moree on Monday 16 March at 3.00 pm to 4.00pm.
For more details and information please reach out to Georgina on secretary@gwydircotton.com.au
Mallowa: Target in the east have been inundated, some western areas yet to be inundated. Deliveries expected to finish mid-April
2026.
Lower Gwydir: The 3 month delivery of E-water to Lower Gwydir ceased on 26 December 2025. A total of 7,550ML entered the watercourse at Millewa, including
3,200ML of managed E-water.
Gingham: Deliveries commenced early December 2025. Target flow rate is 100 ML/d connect through to Boyanga Waterhole. Delivery target
may continue past February.
Whittakers Lagoon: Orders have been placed to fill Whittakers Lagoon to fill the lagoon before the end of January 2026.
Mehi River flows: Delivery for fish to the lower Mehi commenced 13 December 2025. This flow will continue through Summer and into
Autumn.
Barwon River: In addition to the Mehi River flow releases from the Border Rivers and Gwydir valleys commenced over Christmas New Year. This event was designed to support base flows in the Barwon River between Mungindi and Walgett. Releases from Glenlyon and Copeton
Dams are expected to cease early February 2026.
The GVIA are currently looking for a Project and Policy Support Officer.
The project officer role would entail working on behalf of and in partnership with the GVIA Members to deliver requirements as detailed in projects.
The policy support role will entail supporting the EO in the review and analysis of regulatory policy and provide support to Members in the interpretation and application of policy.
The role would also support the EO in communication of water related issues to the wider community.
More detail are available in the attached position description.
To apply or arrange to discuss the position please email the EO on gvia@gvia.org.au
In partnership with the NSW Government, TAFE NSW has launched a free, 3-hour online course designed to fast-track qualified tradespeople into becoming duly qualified persons (DQPs). DQP's can: