Wetland Dreamings

December 2004, Issue No. 7

The highly successful 'Watering of Wetlands on Private Properties' project is into its fourth consecutive year and is expanding its horizons!

Drumstick plants, a type of billy button, can grow up to 1m high and are only found within three main areas in NSW including the Jerilderie-Moama region. These type of wetlands are commonly known as good brolga habitat as they are open and allow the birds good vision for protection against predators like foxes.

Since its inception in 2001 the project has been conducted in Murray Irrigation Limited's (MIL) Area of Operation, with another 36 sites receiving water this year.

However, for the first time the project has been expanded to include wetland areas within the West Corurgan and Moira Private Irrigation District (MPID). After hearing and seeing the results of healthier wetlands in the MIL area, representatives from West Corurgan and MPID approached the MWWG to conduct two small trials within their areas.

MWWG Project Officer Trish Alexander said, "The West Corurgan and MPID irrigation trusts approached a select number of landholders within their areas who were interested in participating in the trial. In total we have watered 2 sites in the West Corurgan area and 3 in the MPID."

The West Corurgan irrigation area is bordered by the townships of Corowa and Mulwala (south), Buraja-Lowesdale (east), Oaklands (north) and Berrigan (west) in NSW. The MPID is a smaller area, compared to MIL and West Corurgan, which covers the region between Mathoura and Moama.

"The type of wetlands we watered within the MPID district were similar to those that have been included in the project so far, such as black box depressions, some with gilgais (undulating ground) and a River Red Gum floodrunner. Monitoring of the plant response since watering has been consistent with other black box areas resulting in mainly spike rush, common nardoo and Juncus species emerging", explained Trish.

"The West Corurgan sites, however, are completely different to those that the Group has worked with in the MIL area. These sites are dominated by drumsticks (Craspedia globosa), not black box, with the occasional lignum plant.'

"Since watering we have observed the drumsticks flowering and the emergence of hyssop loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolia) and swamp or Darling peas, (Swainsona procumbens), as well as common nardoo, Juncus sp. and cane grass (Eragrostis australasica)."

Despite the watering however, no brolgas were sighted this year but it is hoped that next year the birds will be attracted to the wetlands.

Apart from vegetation differences there are also logistical differences to the watering of wetlands sites in the new areas. The delivery of the water to the wetlands in West Corurgan and MPID is more reliant on irrigation allocations. To ensure delivery efficiency, a minimum of 20% general security allocation is needed before the irrigation trusts can start pumping from the Murray River into their systems. Consequently, this year's watering trial was delayed until mid-October.

The trials have seen a total of 31.5 ha and 70 ha of wetlands successfully watered in the MPID and West Corurgan areas, respectively. This year's expansion of the project is testimony to its success and popularity. It also exemplifies what can be achieved through the collaboration of differing groups - landholders, irrigation companies and a conservation group - to achieve environmental outcomes. The MWWG is looking forward to further developing relations with West Corurgan and Moira Private Irrigation District and increasing the number of wetlands that get watered next year.

Swamp or Darling Pea (Swainsona procumbens). Photo courtesy Trish Alexander.

"The past year has been especially challenging as we move into the new world of Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs).

The MWWG will be aligned with the Murray and Lower Murray-Darling CMAs, though it will continue to work independently.   

The use of the Adaptive Environmental Water (AEW) allocation has been a great success this year. The Watering of Wetlands on Private Properties project has been expanded into the Moira Private Irrigation District and West Corurgan areas, as well as continuing within Murray Irrigation Limited areas. AEW has also been diverted in Boomanoomana State Forest, the Gulpa Creek Wetlands and Pollacks Swamp. We are also pursuing the possibility of providing some water to South Australia for the Chowilla Red Gum Watering Program.

The MWWG's funding schemes have been a resounding success since being launched in March.

Nearly $500,000 has been re-directed back into the Murray valley community for a variety of wetland projects, including fencing, revegetation works, the Gulpa Creek Bird Hide, small community awareness/education programs and scientific investigations.

Our Group welcomed Duncan Vennell as our new Project Officer based in Deniliquin. Duncan has been mainly working on the Watering of Wetlands on Private Properties project especially with monitoring. We also welcomed Claire Wilkinson to the Group in August. Claire is working on the Wetland Rehabilitation project funded by the LMD CMA and is based in the Buronga office.

As the year comes to rapid close I would to thank all our members, and also their families, for their hard work, continued support and dedication to the ideals and principles of the Group. Your commitment ensures our success.

Finally, on behalf of the Group we wish all our readers and your kin a Merry Christmas and safe and happy New Year - and enjoy some of your holidays around a wetland!

Howard Jones.

The MWWG is currently involved in a number of differing projects. Listed below are a few of the major projects and information on their progress:

Lake Caringay (Euston):

• Discussions with the local landholders have taken place in regards to reinstating natural flood flows to the Lake. The Lake has been dry since the 1960s.
• Investigations into the modification of existing blockbanks that currently prevent flood and regulated flows from the entering the Lake will proceed in the new year.

Thegoa Lagoon:

• A report entitled "Ecological Monitoring of a Refilling Event 2003-2004" has been completed. The report covers monitoring results on the flow rates, volumes, groundwater, water quality, riparian & in-stream vegetation and bird response when the Lagoon was filled with surplus and environmental flows.
• The MDFRC, commissioned by the MWWG, have completed a report entitled "Ecological responses to inundation of sediments from grazed and ungrazed areas of Thegoa Lagoon, NSW".
• Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) services have been engaged to help with Noogoora burr control within the wetland. The team of 8 were conducting weeding activities for approximately 3 days.

• A weed strategy has been developed for Thegoa by the MWWG and the Wentworth Shire Council (WSC). The strategy will be presented to the Thegoa Lagoon Management Committee at their next meeting.
• The WSC and LMD CMA are in the process of finalising the detailed design for a fish-friendly structure to be located at the western end of the lagoon. The structure will allow floodwaters to enter/exit the Lagoon and provide vehicle access for local landholders.

Stevens Weir Fishway:

• Unfortunately the MWWG's formal commitment to the project has come to an end. Despite considerable efforts from NSW Fisheries, the hope of obtaining additional funding to complete the project has been delayed until 2005.
• Detailed designs for the fishway have been completed.
• The fishway is still considered a top priority within the Murray Darling Basin, outside of the Murray.
• NSW Fisheries will continue to proceed with the project and seek support from the MWWG at a later date if required.

Due to the continued dry conditions within the Murray Valley a total of 20,230 megalitres (ML) of Adaptive Environmental Water (AEW) has been available for use in NSW's Murray valley during 2004-2005. The MWWG has diverted approximately 18,600 ML of the AEW into nearly 40 wetlands and wetland complexes.

The provision of the AEW to a variety of wetlands has helped to enhance vegetation communities and ensured a successful bird breeding event within the Gulpa Creek wetlands.

Approximately 7,400 ML was used for the Watering of Wetlands on Private Properties Project this year. Thirty sites within the Murray Irrigation Limited Area of Operation received water, whilst 2 trial sites in the West Corurgan area and 3 sites within the Moira Private Irrigation District also received AEW.

Bush Telegraph's 1,000 ML was diverted into the Gulpa Creek wetlands along with an additional 9,800 ML of AEW.

Pollacks Swamp in the Koondrook-Perricoota Forests received 1,000 ML. This wetland supports the only remaining egret breeding colony in the Koondrook-Perricoota system, and is one of a handful of areas in the central-lower Murray region of NSW.

Boomanoomana State Forest's wetlands received 440 ML. The state forest in located downstream of Lake Mulwala (between Yarrawonga and Barooga). The wetland complex is made up of Boomanoomana Swamp and several lagoons. The AEW usage will help map flow paths and calculate volumes required to fill the wetlands thereby ultimately helping improve the management of the areas.

For the past four years the MWWG has been managing a maximum total of 32,027 ML per annum of AEW allocation on behalf of the NSW Government. This maximum amount is only available when 100% general security water is available in the system.

The MWWG has produced a review report of the AEW usage for the past four years. The report will be finalised in the new year and those interested in obtaining a copy can contact MWWG's Senior Project Officer Deborah Nias on (02) 6023 1822.

The Painted Snipe is among Australia's most mysterious and cryptic birds. Chris Tzaros from Birds Australia explains why these difficult to find creatures could make excellent flagship species for other rare wetland birds.

The Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis) is 1 of 3 kinds of Painted Snipe in the world. Formerly considered a subspecies of the Greater Painted Snipe, found throughout Asia and Africa, the Australian Painted Snipe is a separate distinct species.

"Australian Painted Snipe are incredibly rare and secretive inhabitants of shallow freshwater wetlands. They occasionally turn up in small numbers and stay for a few weeks, days or hours before moving on. The species remains one of the least studied and poorly understood shorebirds in this country and currently there are no known sites where one can be guaranteed of seeing a Painted Snipe, though historically, many records were submitted from the NSW and Victorian Riverina. We know so little about many the fundamental aspects of their life cycle, including habitat requirements, distribution, movements, breeding biology and diet," explained Chris Tzaros, Birds Australia's Research and Conservation Officer.

Current population totals estimate that there are as few as 1500 birds and they are possibly declining. During 1977-81 the species had the lowest reporting rate for any species of resident shorebird in Australia.

"Painted Snipe has probably suffered as a result of widespread wetland drainage and the diversion of water from rivers, resulting in a reduction in the frequency of flooding of many wetlands. In the Murray-Darling Basin, water resource developments from the 1960s-1990s have coincided with a significant decline in the number of reports received," said Chris.

In an attempt to address the knowledge gaps, Birds Australia's Threatened Bird Network has begun a project involving researchers, conservationists, land managers and landowners. The project aims to:

• build a database of all Painted Snipe records (historic and current);
• focus people's attention on Painted Snipe; and
• establish a regular national community-based survey program to increase recent sightings.

Birds Australia's work so far has already developed a much better understanding of Painted Snipe ecology. For instance, it appears that Painted Snipes prefer shallow ephemeral wetlands, particularly when water levels are receding, where there are areas of damp exposed mud between sparse low vegetation, such as flooded lignum, samphire or tussock grasses.

Female Australian Painted Snipe. Photo courtesy Tom Tarrant.

It appears they rarely occur at wetlands that contain large expanses of tall reeds, such as cumbungi.

The Threatened Bird Network has also made advances in developing techniques that maximise chances of finding these birds. Painted Snipe, unlike the more commonly encountered Latham's or Japanese Snipe, can be incredibly cryptic and reluctant to flush, preferring to rely on camouflage and remain on the ground. It is recommended that any searching be conducted carefully and patiently. The species is thought to be most active at dawn and dusk, and probably throughout the night.

Over time, Birds Australia hope to continue these discoveries that improve our knowledge of Painted Snipe, with an aim to pass on as much of what is learnt to landholders, land managers and people wishing to take part in surveys and conservation work.

"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone in the Riverina who may have details on past sightings, or who may be able to assist with current and future search efforts. The next national survey will be held on the 15-16 January 2005, where it is hoped that as many people as possible will search an area of wetland where these birds may well be lurking," said Chris.

For those interested in participating in this year's National Painted Snipe Survey a survey form and hints on surveying has been enclosed in this editions of WeDs.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Painted Snipe project, or getting involved, please contact Chris Tzaros, Threatened Bird Network, Birds Australia, phone: (03) 9882 2622, email: c.tzaros@birdsaustralia.com.au.

This year has seen the MWWG combining its forces with the Murray Indigenous Seed Service in providing another excellent opportunity and service to landholders interested in improving their wetlands.

Martin Driver and Sue Logie, from the Murray Indigenous Seed Service (MISS), have been working closely with MWWG project officers and local landholders in restoring understorey species in wetland areas. Wetlands that have received adaptive environmental water this year, as part of the Watering of Wetlands on Private Properties project, within the Murray Irrigation Limited Area and the Moira Private Irrigation District are the first, of hopefully many, sites that will benefit from the new service on offer.

"During initial surveys of wetland sites, MISS staff have helped to identify indigenous understorey and mid-level plant species that are missing from the sites,' explained MWWG Project Officer Duncan Vennell. "Many understorey species have been missing from these wetland areas for many years due to factors such as clearing, grazing and the lack of natural regeneration. Replacing these species will help to restore the structure within the wetlands and in turn provide food and habitat for a range of native fauna."

Landholders interested in conducting the revegetation works can engage the services of the MISS team with funding assistance available from the MWWG (through the Wetland Incentive Scheme) or else through their local Land and Water Management Plan incentives.

Using a 'Rodin Direct Seeder', which is towed behind a ute, the MISS team can direct seed many indigenous species such as Murray pines, bull oaks and wattles on the higher ground of the wetlands.

Whilst within the wetlands, as the high water mark is reached and starts to recede, a Potti-puttki is used to plug plant species such as cooba, miljee, nitre goosefoot, lignum, and many species of saltbush that would benefit from the subsoil moisture (pictured top right).

"So far 6 landholders have been involved in direct seeding and plug planting this year, with follow up plantings to come. Other landholders have arranged for direct seeding to occur when the wetlands dry completely", said Duncan.

MISS is a community-based group located within the Murray Catchment that is dedicated to assisting landholders interested in improving native vegetation communities.

For more information on how the MWWG and MISS can help with revegetation works in your wetland contact Duncan Vennell on (03) 5881 9211, or Martin Driver on 0427 330613.

Local residents and visitors to the Mathoura area can now enjoy watching the region's beautiful and varied bird life thanks to the opening of the new Gulpa Creek Reed Beds Bird Observatory.

Located at Picnic Point, 4 km from Mathoura in NSW, the bird hide is an unique split-levelled construction that allows visitors wonderful views of Reed Beds Swamp and its 50 or so bird species.

The project has been collaborative effort between varying groups including local timber cutters, bee keepers and bird watching volunteers. Funding for the project was sourced from the Murray Shire Council, Forests NSW, Barmah-Millewa Forum, MWWG and the Government's Regional Assistance Program .

The observatory is the first stage of the Tri Avian Corridor project that incorporates Wakool and Balranald areas.]

Left - MWWG Project Officers Duncan Vennell and Paula D'Santos with Kevin Atkinson from the Cummeragunja Land Council getting out the binoculars to do some bird spotting at the Reed Beds Swamp.
Photo courtesy Melanie Simm.

The MWWG has secured $140,000 funding from the Lower Murray-Darling Catchment Management Authority (LMD CMA) to conduct a Wetland Rehabilitation Project within the NSW Lower Murray-Darling region. The project focuses on investigations into on-ground works to protect and enhance up to 3,000 ha of wetland area on both public and private land.

Newly appointed project officer Claire Wilkinson, explained that "due to a number of factors, wetlands in the Lower Murray-Darling catchment are gradually disappearing or slowly degrading. Factors such as river regulation, salinity, pest plants and animals, agricultural development and a limited understanding of wetland function and their requirements has contributed to a gradual decline in these areas over the past 50-60 years'.

"There are a number of wetlands along the Lower Murray River that remain in a permanent state of inundation due to the presence of weir pools. This has had a negative effect on the wetlands' vegetation, animals and water quality. In the Lower Darling reach the opposite problem is occurring, with a number of wetlands remaining dry even when the river is in flood. Being either permanently wet or permanently dry can be equally bad news for wetlands in this region because they are adapted to having both wet and dry phases. If one phase is continued for too long it can result in the loss of biodiversity and we see a gradual decline in the wetlands' health and condition," said Claire.

Murray River wetland permanently inundated by regulated flows.
Photos courtesy of Paula D'Santos

A canegrass wetland in the Lower Darling being surveyed for condition assessment.
Photo Paula D'Santos

The Wetland Rehabilitation Project runs for 12-months and is scheduled to finish at the end of June 2005. Aiming to identify wetlands suitable for rehabilitation works, the project is comprised of two sections. The first section focuses on Murray River wetlands and investigating the reinstatement of more appropriate water regimes, whilst the second section concentrates on wetlands along the Lower Darling River, from Menindee to Wentworth, to develop a priority list of areas that may require on-ground works.

Some of the activities that have already occurred in the project include liasing with landholders, conducting aquatic fauna baseline surveys, on-ground flora and condition-rating inspections, water quality testing and groundwater investigations. The information gathered will be used to identify what works are needed to improve the wetlands and also assist in developing management plans for some of the areas.

"Works identified from this preliminary project will be implemented in a follow-up 3-year project. Some of the works we may recommend could include the construction or removal of regulatory structures, fencing off of riparian areas, establishing off-stream stock watering points or designing and constructing of alternative water supplies - all of which are aimed at improving the general condition and health of the wetlands. So far we have had a good response and lots of interest in the project. We held a public meeting in September where local landholders, and other interested groups such as indigenous, research and governmental agencies were invited and attended" explained Claire.

For further information about the Wetland Rehabilitation Project contact Claire Wilkinson on (03) 5021 9445.

A deafening chorus of frogs, circling Swamp Harriers and the flush of new wetland plant growth are just some of the responses seen at the Gulpa Creek wetlands after receiving the Bush Telegraph's Water Challenge 1,000 ML.

Readers may remember from the last edition of WeDs the story on ABC Radio National's Bush Telegraph's 'Water Challenge' “you don't? Well let me refresh your memory”

From October to December 2003 ABC Radio National's Bush Telegraph listeners were asked to vote as to how they best wanted to see 1,000 megalitres (ML) of environmental water used as part of their 'Water Challenge'. The most popular option and eventual Water Challenge winner was the use of the water within the Barmah-Millewa Forest complex at a suitable time.

In early September of this year the 1,000 ML of environmental water was diverted into the Gulpa Creek wetlands. After an initial river rise in late August, due to good rains in the catchment, the wetlands had begun to fill but the rise in flow was insufficient to fill them. The 1,000 ML was used to help complete the filling of the wetlands. The Water Challenge environmental allocation, in conjunction with the river rise volumes and additional environmental water, has therefore played an important role in helping to maintain a good water depth and flooding duration within the wetlands that has benefited the vegetation and resulted in a good bird and frog breeding response over the past 3-4 months.

Gulpa Creek wetlands are a collection of 27 wetlands and River Red Gum forests of varying sizes covering approximately 1,200 ha on the western edge (NSW-side) of the Barmah-Millewa Forest complex. It's water is supplied by the Gulpa Creek which is a short natural anabranch of the Murray River. The creek flows in a predominantly northerly direction past the township of Mathoura and joins the Edward River approximately 25 km downstream.

The Gulpa Creek wetlands, particularly the two largest areas - Reed Beds Swamp and Coppinger's/Duck Lagoon, have high environmental value, principally for their large nesting colonies of waterbirds. The associated River Red Gum forest is important habitat for many terrestrial and semi-aquatic plant and animal species and helps support the local timber and tourist industries. The creek itself has notable habitat value for native fish.

ABC Radio National's Melanie Simm conducted an interview with members of the MWWG, Kevin Atkinson Snr. (Cummeragunja Land Council) and Amy Webb (Barmah-Millewa Forum) at the Gulpa Creek wetlands informing Bush Telegraph listeners of how their water was used to achieve some great environmental outcomes.

To listen to the interviews please log on to: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/telegraph/stories/s1204336.htm

Duncan Vennell (MWWG) being interviewed by ABC Radio National's Melanie Simm on the use of the 1,000 ML in Gulpa Creek wetlands. Photo courtesy Paula D'Santos

Nine months after the MWWG launched its two funding schemes, nearly $400,000 of funding has been re-directed back into the Murray valley community for a range of wetland projects.

Regular WeDs readers may remember that in our last edition of the newsletter the MWWG announced its two new funding schemes - the Wetland Incentive Scheme (WIS) and the Wetland Rehabilitation & Investigations Program (WRIP), that were launched in March 2004.

"The response and interest to the funding schemes has been tremendous" said Deborah Nias, the MWWG's Senior Project Officer. "Nearly every week we receive a few applications from individual landholders or groups within the community who are wanting to protect or improve their wetlands - and that is very encouraging."

The funding schemes are aimed to provide financial assistance to landholders, community groups and other organisations who are interested in rehabilitating and/or improving the management of natural wetland systems in the Murray and/or Lower Murray-Darling catchments in NSW.

The WIS is aimed to provide assistance for projects that cost less than $10,000, whereas the WRIP is for projects that cost more than $10,000.

"So far we have approved 26 WIS applications and distributed nearly $155,000. Applications range in activities from fencing works to help better manage stock access, revegetation works such as direct seeding or tube-stock planting, to the development of management plans for specific wetlands and supporting small education and awareness activities.'

"We are pleased that we can help support some of the education/awareness forums that are run and aimed at school students, such as the Oz Green MYRiverR Murray and Darling projects and the Murray Darling Association's Biodiversity Buzz. It's important for the students to be able learn about how the environment works and to be given an opportunity to get involved. However what's also good about these programs is that not only do they provide the students with a great opportunity to voice their concerns within their own community but also to a wider audience which has included politicians in Canberra, through the presentation of their results", explained Deborah.

The Wetland Rehabilitation & Investigations Program has provided funding totalling $225,000 to 6 projects so far. The range of projects funded under this program also vary greatly. Some projects involve on-ground works such as the construction of the Gulpa Creek Reed Beds Bird Observatory (see article on page 5) or repairs to the 'breakaway' at Moira Lake.

Another project is looking at identifying rehabilitation works for wetlands within the South East Riverina area - this is a follow-on project from the South East Riverina Wetland Mapping Project which was commissioned by the MWWG in 2002-2003.

Research projects are also included in the WRIP category. The Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre is looking at the occurrence and impact of acidification processes within River Murray wetlands and has received part funding for this project from the MWWG. The Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, in conjunction with a local landholder, is conducting a project that is combining education training and research (see article on the next page).

The money for the funding schemes was generated through the part sale of an Adaptive Environmental Water (AEW), allocation that the MWWG managed on behalf of the NSW Government in 2002-2003.

"Due to the extreme drought conditions in 2002-2003 we were severely limited in options to use the water,' Deborah explained. "So in such circumstances we are allowed to trade a portion of the allocation. The money that is generated from trading is then used to fund wetland projects.'

"The MWWG felt that one of the most effective ways of ensuring that the funds generated from the 2002-2003 sale got back into the community was by creating the funding schemes. The overwhelming positive response that we have received so far has shown that this is an excellent way to help the community to improve and protect its wetland environments."

Applications for the WIS can be submitted to the MWWG all year round. Whereas WRIP applications are to be submitted by either March 31 or October 31. Both schemes are available until 2007.

For further details on the WIS and WRIP please log onto the MWWG website www.mwwg.org.au and navigate to the 'MWWG Funding Assistance' page.   

Photo courtesy Trish Alexander.

Tona Station is one project that has received funding through the MWWG's Wetlands Rehabilitation and Investigations Program (WRIP) to help further our understanding and improve management of our wetlands.

The "Understanding and Communicating the Story of Tona Wetlands" is a collaborative project between Tona Station's owner and manager, Russell Elliot, and the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (Mildura).

Tona Station is a 2,000 ha property located approximately 20 kms north-west of Wentworth, NSW. Approximately one third of the property is comprised of floodplain wetlands that are connected to the Darling Anabranch by 35 Kms of frontage. The "Understanding and Communicating the Story of Tona Wetlands" project aims to undertake wetlands research and develop educational materials for the community.

Some of the project's key activities include:

• Undertaking an environmental audit of the floodplain area (knowing what animals, birds, bugs, soils and plants make up the dry floodplain);
• Identifying and linking cultural history information (both Aboriginal and European) to tell the story of people and wetlands;
• Preparing a program to undertake studies when flooding occurs; and
• Communicating this information through the development of educational materials (book, CD, case study, monitoring guides etc).

"This project compliments a larger property audit and environmental restoration program for Tona Station. The involvement of Conservation and Land Management students undertaking Diploma studies at TAFE means that these students will have better on-ground skills from their educational programs. The project will assist in establishing ongoing educational sites and data analysis that can be used to better understand wetlands and identify management needs" explained Daryl Walter, project manager for the Tona partnership programs.

The project commenced in July 2004 and is scheduled to finish in December 2005. To date a number of activities have been conducted, including:

• Establishing the audit program (currently being completed with students);
• Completing the cultural audit with local historians, past owners and workers, and working with local Barkindji representatives to assist with identifying sites and documenting aboriginal history;
• Installing piezometers to study ground water responses; and
• Undertaking GPS mapping to develop 3D imagery of the wetland and its changing functions.

"We're really pleased at how the project has been progressing so far. It's shaping up to being a very informative project and we're looking forward to sharing the knowledge we have gained with the wider community through the production of a management booklet and guidelines" said Daryl.

More information about the project can be obtained through the following link: http://ncs.sunitafe.edu.au/tona/index.htm

Aquatic survey work being conducted by Sunraysia Institute of TAFE students as part of the Tona Station wetland project. Photos courtesy of Daryl Walter.

The Darling Anabranch is to receive a boost in environmental rehabilitation through the construction of a pipeline that not only will provide better water quality and security for landholders but help restore some environmental values as well. Congratulations to all those involved in the project!

On the 26 November 2004 the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council agreed to four water recovery proposals as a first step under The Living Murray Initiative. The provision of $54 million funding to construct the Darling Anabranch pipeline was one of the successful proposals put forward to the Ministerial Council.

The Darling Anabranch is located in south-west NSW. The Anabranch flows west of the Darling River, and extends for approximately 460 km from its junction with the Darling (south of the Menindee Lakes) to where it flows out into the Murray River some 20 km down stream of Wentworth.

The Darling Anabranch proposal involves constructing a 200 km pipeline to provide stock and domestic water for 42 landholders that live along the Anabranch. Water will be supplied from the Darling River for landholders in the northern half of the system and from the Murray River for those in the southern section.

Providing landholders with a piped water supply will also allow the management of water flows down the Anabranch to return to a more natural regime. The provision of environmental flows will help to restore some of the system's environmental values that have been slowly degrading for the past 50-60 years.

Prior to river regulation, the Darling Anabranch was a chain of natural ephemeral wetlands that would receive flows when the Darling River flooded. In its upper reaches it would flow 2 out of 3 years and approximately 8 out of 10 years further downstream.

Since European settlement along the Anabranch the flow regime has been significantly altered through the construction of 17 blockbanks, weirs, dams etc. The impounding of water has caused severe environmental degradation such as siltation of deep pools, increases in salinity and turbidity, created conditions that encourage regular occurrences of blue-green algal blooms and favours pest species such as carp.

The construction of a pipeline has been estimated to save 47 gigalitres (GL) of water. [One gigalitre would fill one thousand olympic-sized swimming pools!]. To date the provision of an annual supply of water for the Anabranch landholders requires 50,000 ML (equal to 50 GL) to be released from the Menindee Lakes storage system. Of this amount only 3,000 ML is actually used. A substantial amount of the remaining 47,000 ML is 'lost' to evaporation and seepage. Thus making it a highly wasteful system of the ever increasing precious resource of freshwater.

The pipeline will also ensure a regular supply of good quality water for landholders. In times when the Darling River may be in drought, the Murray River pump station will have the capacity to supply northern landholders of water as well.

To help reinstate a healthier environment within the Anabranch, water levels will be allowed to fluctuate and wetting and drying cycles will be reinstated. The flora and fauna of such systems are adapted to periods of flood and drought and rely on the variation in water levels to complete lifecycles and provide cues for breeding.

Using historical hydrological data environmental flows have been modelled. It is proposed that an environmental flow will be released in the Anabranch on a 5 years in 10 frequency. These flows will be aimed to provide a flushing of the system from top to bottom.

The Ministerial Council also announced its funding of two other water saving initiatives in the Murray Valley. These include the Bungunyah-Koraleigh water supply pipeline and the Poon Boon Lakes entitlement recovery.

Bungunyah-Koraleigh Irrigation Trust is located west of Swan Hill in NSW. The proposal includes the provision of a pressurised pipe system that will replace earthen channels. One thousand megalitres of water has been estimated to be saved as a result of the pipe.

The Poon Boon Lakes system is located north-west of Swan Hill in NSW. Prior to river regulation the lakes would have filled during flood events, however under current conditions the lakes fill, on average, every 7 years in 10. Regulators and works retain the water within the lakes and prevents it from flowing back to the river. Water is extracted from the lakes for irrigation. By buying the irrigation entitlements on the lakes an estimated 12,000 ML can be saved and the removal of banks etc. will allow the lakes to fill and drain more naturally.

Northern region of Darling Anabranch - water impounding, prior to current drought. Photo courtesy Deb Nias.

Towards the end of November the MWWG held its Bi-annual meeting and Annual General Meeting in Dareton, NSW.

In addition to updates and progress reports on the various projects that the MWWG is involved with, the meeting included a presentation by Dr. Carmel Pollino from Monash University.

Carmel's presentation was on the development of an Environmental Risk Assessment tool that is being trialed in Murray Irrigation Limited area as part of a broader project entitled 'Delivering Sustainability through Risk Management'. The primary aim of the project is to raise awareness of risk based environmental management approaches in the irrigation industry.

The study is funded by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation (a program of Land and Water Australia) and is a CRC for Freshwater Ecology associated project.

The MWWG will assist with the development of the risk assessment tool through the provision of data on black box depressions that includes the responses monitored after receiving environmental water allocations.

The Bi-annual meeting also included discussions of the relationship between the MWWG and the two newly formed Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs). The General Managers of the Murray and Lower Murray-Darling CMAs, Anthony Couroupis and Paul Dixon (respectively) and Lesley Palmer (LMD CMA) attended the meeting.

After the Bi-annual meeting the MWWG's 2004 Annual General Meeting was held. All those with office bearing positions stepped down and nominations were called for.

Howard Jones continues as Chairman of the Group, Judy Frankenberg is Vice-Chairperson, Deborah Nias is Treasurer, Paula D'Santos is Secretary and Adrian Wells, Brian Sharp, Ian Davidson and Vin Byrnes are Executive Committee members.

The following day the Group attended a tour of Mulcra and Walpolla Islands in Victoria. Clare Mason, Mallee CMA's Environmental Flows Project Officer, explained to the Group the various environmental flow activities that had been undertaken in the areas during the past year. Some emergency River Red Gum watering had been conducted using a portion of Victoria's environmental water allocation from this year. The Mallee CMA is also managing a project which is looking at reinstating more appropriate hydrological regimes to wetlands within the Walpolla and Lindsay Island areas - which are included in the MDBC's Living Murray's Six Icon Sites.

The field trip was a very interesting one and generated much discussion of projects being conducted within the Lower Murray-Darling region. All in attendance agreed that by continuing to build collaborative efforts between NSW, Victoria and South Australia was the way forward for ensuring that present and future projects will make significant headway in improving our wetlands, floodplains and rivers.

Thanks also to Clare for the extensive 'scenic' tour of the region (...haven't we just been here Clare?) which made her a special recipient of the auspicious Vin Byrnes award! Congratulations Clare!

General membership of the MWWG has seen some changes occur over the past 6 months.

We welcome Damian Green, now with the MDBC, back into the fold. Damian's knowledge of the Edward-Wakool system and general wetland expertise will be of great value to the Group.

The restructuring of NSW governmental departments has unfortunately seen the departure of Andrew Christy (EPA) and Roger Good (NSW NPWS) from the Group, who have taken voluntary redundancies. We also say farewell to our MDBC liaison Lance Lloyd. We would like to thank them all for their support, interest and contributions to the Group over the years and wish them all the best with their future pursuits.

Lastly, it is with much regret to also inform readers of the passing of Peter Clark (pictured) from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources and MWWG member.

Peter lost his fight with cancer in July of this year. The Group will sorely miss Pete's enthusiasm, extensive knowledge, wit and ability to relate to people from various walks of life. We extend our condolences to his family.

The MWWG's website has been updated and is looking better than ever!

Included on the website is a new section that provides an overview of some of MWWG's major projects such as the River Murray Wetland Database, Moira Lakes Rehabilitation, Croppers Lagoon, Billabong Creek Mapping, and the management of the Adaptive Environmental Water.

There is a section on the MWWG's funding schemes - the Wetland Incentive Scheme and the Wetland Rehabilitation & Investigation Program - which includes information and guidelines and application forms.

The General Wetland Information section includes pages on the importance of wetlands, wetting & drying cycles, vegetation and links to other wetland websites.

Past newsletters can also be accessed via the site.

We hope that all sorts of web users will find the site interesting and useful. As our Group continues to develop existing projects, and becomes involved in new projects, we will be regularly updating the site to keep all those interested in wetland rehabilitation informed.

So if you haven't had a chance to check out the site before - have a quick browse. We welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have - so drop us a line (paula.d'santos@dipnr.nsw.gov.au) and let us know what you're thinking.

The MWWG would like to thank Ken at Platypus Websites Pty. Ltd. for helping improve the site and providing regular updating services.