About the Werai forest early works and measures
A package of early works and other measures are currently being scoped for the Werai forest that will contribute to the flexible use of water for the environment, including delivery of higher environmental flows being considered by the program.
The early works and measures being scoped include replacement of existing regulators that are impacting the delivery of environmental flows, cultural heritage values and are impeding fish passage.
Currently, water flows into Werai forest via the Tumudgery Creek, Niemur River and Reed Bed Creek regulators. The regulators are operated to prevent water from passing into these natural watercourses during periods of regulated flow (i.e., when flows measured downstream of Stevens Weir gauge are greater than 2,700 ML/day).
The regulators are fully opened when flows are forecast to exceed 2,700 ML/day downstream from Stevens Weir. They are also used to deliver base flows and environmental flows, when required.
As a result, water flows into Werai forest and its creeks and wetlands are limited. This affects the health and cultural heritage values of Country, its flora and fauna and the natural water flows they depend upon.
These regulators have also reached their end-of-life and are a constraint to the release of the program’s proposed flow options.
Proposed works
Preliminary investigations indicate there are approximately three aging regulators (Tumudgery Creek, Niemur River and Reed Bed Creek) and one pipe structure (Moonyah Lagoon) requiring demolition and replacement.
During floods these regulators can become inaccessible. As a result, the scope of the Werai forest package may be expanded, if additional works are required for project construction.
Benefits of the works and measures
The benefits of the Werai forest early works and measures package would include:
- improved access and opportunities for First Nations people as owners of the Werai forest
- easier and safer operation of new regulators
- improved river operations (control and efficiency)
- improved local and regional environmental health of waterways and wetlands
- improved environmental water delivery, in-line with Murray-Darling Basin Plan objectives
- improved river connectivity and fish passage.
Early works and measures limits
The frequency of managed environmental flows, enabled by the program, would vary over time depending on water availability, climate conditions, ecological priorities, and consideration of risks and impacts. These higher environmental flow deliveries would not occur during extreme wet conditions when there is elevated flood risk.
This package of works and measures will be designed to mitigate against flows up to and including the highest flow option (with buffer) being considered by the program. The package will not be designed to mitigate against natural flow events above this level.
Werai forest early works and measures scoping
The Water Group in the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is leading the preliminary concept design and geotechnical survey work.
Engagement with First Nations groups, landholders and other stakeholders will play an important part in the package’s development.
Scoping activities include:
- initial landholder and First Nations engagement
- developing an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report and necessary site investigations with Traditional Owners
- review and undertake ecological, Aboriginal heritage and environmental studies
- conducting topographical and cadastral boundary surveys
- undertaking geotechnical investigations and hydraulic modelling to inform works design
- concept designs and cost estimates of mitigation works.
Consideration of creek crossings, fencing, access road upgrades not needed for project construction and operation, is out of scope.
Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at: admin.rrcp@dpie.nsw.gov.au