Water restrictions remain for Barwon-Darling River and Barwon-Darling Floodplain

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment today announced ongoing temporary water restrictions for the entire Barwon-Darling Floodplain and for the Barwon-Darling River, downstream of the Culgoa junction.

All other remaining restrictions in the northern NSW Murray-Darling Basin and on floodplain harvesting expire at midnight tonight (28 February 2020).

This temporary restriction applies to the take of water by the holders of unregulated river access licences (A, B and C Classes) in the Barwon-Darling Unregulated River Water Source (downstream of the Culgoa junction) and floodplain harvesting on the Barwon-Darling Floodplain.

The restriction will allow replenishment of town water supplies and will supply to high priority users, re-fill instream refuge pools in the local catchment and bring much needed flows into the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling systems.

The restriction does not apply to take for basic landholder rights or domestic, stock and local water utility access.

The temporary restriction also does not apply to the take of water for testing metering equipment, water from farm dams, or passive take by works on the floodplain that cannot be reasonably prevented from taking water.

The restriction will remain in place until 17 April 2020, however it can be amended or repealed should conditions change.

Significant additional flows from Queensland are now forecast for the Culgoa River. The Department anticipates that some access from the Barwon-Darling River downstream of the Culgoa junction will be permitted when these flows progress to and through the Barwon-Darling.

Rainfall and inflows will be closely monitored during this period to determine if a repeal, amendment or advice to customers allowing access is needed.

For more information visit https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/allocations-availability/temporary-water-restrictions