Current Media Releases All Current and Past Media Releases   Media Releases Home DIPNR Home

Media Release - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Central West Regional Office Orange: 27 September 2005 WATER FOR THE LOWER LACHLAN RIVERINE ENVIRONMENT The drought-stressed Lachlan River below Lake Brewster will receive some much needed relief over the next four days with more than 8,000 megalitres of water to be delivered downstream. Central West Regional Director, Axel Tennie, said the flows will greatly benefit the lower Lachlan riverine environment which hasn’t received any significant flows since September 2001. “Fresh natural flowing water of this magnitude will help to fill some of the dry river channel and flush out stagnant water which will in turn benefit the fish, wildlife and the river ecology in general,” Mr Tennie said. “Since 2001 the lower Lachlan has generally received only very low flows to provide for stock and domestic use. “While the 8,000 megalitre flow won’t be enough to flood the wetlands in any significant way, or start waterbird breeding, they will go a long way towards providing much needed drought relief for the river.” The recent rain in the catchment area produced about 40,000 megalitres from tributaries downstream of Wyangala Dam. While some of these flows are being directed into Lake Cargelligo storage and Lake Brewster weir pool for re-regulation purposes, the Department, in consultation with State Water and the Lachlan Customer Service Committee, has decided to allow the 8,000 megalitres to proceed downstream to the lower river. “As it’s a natural flow event, the river’s ecology will be much better off with this water than if it were stored in Lake Brewster and allowed to evaporate away,” said Mr Tennie. Katie Ritchie 0429 660 318   Top of Page List of Media Releases © NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources