The Parkes community is well on its way to securing future-proof and drought-resilient water services for decades to come as construction wraps up on the first stage of a major water infrastructure overhaul.

Mungindi has switched on a new permanent $325,000 water cooling tower to ensure the town’s 600 residents will continue to have safe and high-quality drinking water during weather extremes.

A new 300 megalitre off-stream storage dam at Walcha will provide greater water security and reliability for residents and businesses and to help drought-proof the town’s water supply.

The first of nine planned high-flow environmental water releases to the Snowy River will begin on Tuesday 31 May 2022.

High floodwaters that are low in dissolved oxygen levels are continuing to move downstream from the Barwon-Darling River to the Menindee Lakes increasing the risk of fish deaths.

Ken Matthews’ interim report into water administration and compliance in NSW has been received by the NSW Government. Minister for Regional Water, Niall Blair, thanked Mr Matthews and his team for undertaking such a thorough and comprehensive

Mr Matthews has completed information gathering for the interim report, and the drafting of this is close to completion.

The first of five planned high-flow environmental water releases during winter and spring to the Snowy River is set to commence in late June, NSW Department of Industry Director Water Analytics, Danielle Baker, said today.