Water for the environment in your region

The Basin Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental watering plan guides the planning and use of water for the environment across the Murray–Darling Basin.

The Environmental Watering Plan is the legislative framework that guides and fosters coordination for environment holders, Basin State governments, water managers and the Commonwealth to achieve the environmental objectives of the Basin Plan. This guide explains how water for the environment is planned, prioritised and used at Basin and regional scales. It also explains how environmental outcomes are identified, and how monitoring informs future use of water for the environment.

Read our Guide to the Environmental Watering Plan.

Water for the environment across the Basin

Water may need to be provided to some ecosystems in the Basin to maintain their health and function (known as water for the environment). The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) identifies environmentally significant areas and features across the Basin that need water to maintain their health and functions. Not every environmentally significant area in the Basin can be managed with water for the environment.

On this page:

Basin‑scale water for the environment

Water for the environment in your region

Basin‑scale water for the environment

To maintain and improve the health of the Basin as a whole system, water for the environment aims to support 4 themes: flows, vegetation, waterbirds and native fish. Water for the environment is planned and managed based on objectives and indicators for each of these themes.

	Flows Maintenance and improvement of flows, including: longitudinal connectivity (connection and health of areas upstream and downstream) lateral connectivity (connection and health of adjoining floodplains and water-dependent ecosystems) end-of-Basin flows (connection and health of end-of-Basin areas, including the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth).
	Vegetation Health and extent of water‑dependent vegetation, including: forests and woodlands shrublands non-woody vegetation.
	Waterbirds Protection and restoration of waterbird populations, focusing on: abundance and diversity (species richness) of waterbirds habitat for breeding and feeding for native species and migratory species listed under international agreements.
	Native fish Protection and restoration of native fish populations, focusing on: recruitment of native fish, and protection of populations of threatened fish species habitat for breeding, feeding and dispersal for key native fish species.

These themes are used to identify specific features (species and ecosystems) and outcomes for each water resource plan area across the Basin. A summary of these features and outcomes can be found in the drop-down area list below. Full details, including target species, can be found in the Basin‑wide environmental watering strategy (BWS).

Objectives are set to make sure that providing water for the environment is effective. Specific targets are used to track how well the objectives are being met (these include targets for individual species, which indicate a healthy ecosystem).

High-level objectives and targets are outlined in Chapter 8: ‘Environmental watering plan' of the Basin Plan. The MDBA builds on these to set the expected outcomes for water for the environment for the Basin as a whole system and each catchment. These expected outcomes (covering the 4 themes above) set the context for Basin state governments to detail the objectives and targets specific to their catchments. The information on this page relates to the Basin-wide outcomes of water for the environment which are set by the MDBA in the BWS (Figure 1).

Environmental watering plan high-level objectives and targets diagram

Figure 1 The MDBA builds on the high level objectives and targets of the Basin Plan to meet the needs of each catchment.

Water for the environment in your region

Water for the environment aims to support 4 themes across the Basin: flows, vegetation, waterbirds and native fish.

Find out which significant features and expected outcomes have been identified in your region (you can check this map of the Basin to find your region).

New South Wales

Barwon–Darling Watercourse

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Barwon–Darling Watercourse that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Barwon–Darling Watercourse supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in-channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows (from tributary contributions from Condamine–Balonne, Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi and Macquarie–Castlereagh catchments).
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds The Upper Darling River supports waterbird populations and diversity and provides drought refuges.
	Native fish The Barwon–Darling river system (Menindee to Mungindi) supports native fish populations and diversity by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges.

Gwydir

The Gwydir region contains the Gwydir Wetlands: Gingham and Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) Watercourses, which are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Gwydir region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Gwydir supports different features across these 4 themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) lignum (Duma florulenta) marsh club‑rush (Bolboschoenus fluviatilis) water couch (Paspalum distichum) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds The Gwydir Wetlands support waterbird populations and diversity and colonial waterbird breeding (by providing areas for breeding and feeding).
	Native fish The Gwydir catchment supports native fish populations and diversity by providing habitat for threatened species (including silver perch, Murray cod, freshwater catfish and olive perchlet), key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges. The Gwydir catchment also includes important sites for native fish recruitment.

Intersecting Streams

The Intersecting Streams region contains 2 wetlands that are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – the Paroo River Wetlands and the Narran Lake Nature Reserve.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Intersecting streams that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Intersecting streams supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows is improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Water for the environment does not target any vegetation species in this region.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support waterbird populations and diversity by providing areas for breeding and feeding include: Narran Lakes Cuttaburra channels Paroo overflow lakes Yantabulla.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Warrego River (Darling to Ward rivers) anabranches laterally connecting the Paroo and Warrego rivers (including Bow Creek) Paroo River.

Lachlan

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Lachlan region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Lachlan Region supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) lignum (Duma florulenta) common reed (Phragmites australis) cumbungi (Typha spp.) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support waterbird populations and diversity and colonial bird breeding (by providing areas for breeding and feeding) include: Booligal Wetlands Great Cumbung Swamp Lake Brewster.
	Native fish The Lachlan river system (Condobolin to Booligal) supports native fish populations by providing habitat for threatened species (including olive perchlet), key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges.

Macquarie–Castlereagh

The Macquarie–Castlereagh region contains the Macquarie Marshes, which are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Macquarie–Castlereagh region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Macquarie–Castlereagh supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) lignum (Duma florulenta) common reed (Phragmites australis) cumbungi (Typha spp.) water couch (Paspalum distichum) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds The Macquarie Marshes supports waterbird populations and diversity, colonial waterbird breeding and shorebird abundance by providing areas for breeding and feeding.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Macquarie River (below Burrendong Dam to Warren) Macquarie Marshes Lower Bogan River (to the Darling River junction).

Murrumbidgee

The Murrumbidgee region contains the Fivebough and Tuckerbil swamps, which are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Murrumbidgee region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Murrumbidgee region supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) lignum (Duma florulenta) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support waterbird populations and diversity, shorebird abundance and colonial bird breeding (by providing drought refuges and areas for breeding and feeding) include: Fivebough and Tuckerbil swamps Lowbidgee Floodplain.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species and key movement corridors) include: Lowbidgee Floodplain Murrumbidgee main channel (including the areas where the river begins in elevated areas of the landscape, known as upland reaches) Upland Murrumbidgee main channel (including upland reaches).

Namoi

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Namoi region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Namoi supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows and low in‑channel flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Water for the environment does not target any sites for waterbirds in this region.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing key movement corridors, key flow rates, habitat for threatened species and drought refuges) include: Namoi River (Gunnedah to Walgett) Namoi River (upstream of Keepit Dam).

New South Wales Border Rivers

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the New South Wales Border Rivers region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the New South Wales Border Rivers supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows and low in‑channel flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) lignum (Duma florulenta) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Water for the environment does not target any sites for waterbirds in this region.
	Native fish The Macintyre River (Mungindi to Severn) supports native fish populations and diversity by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges.

New South Wales Murray and Lower Darling

The New South Wales Murray and Lower Darling region contains 3 wetlands that are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – Millewa Forest, Koondrook–Perricoota Forest and Werai Forest.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the New South Wales Murray and Lower Darling region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the New South Wales Murray and Lower Darling supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) lignum (Duma florulenta) moira grass (Pseudoraphis spinescens) in Millewa Forest other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support waterbird populations and diversity (by providing drought refuges, and areas for feeding and colonial bird breeding) include: Koondrook–Perricoota Forest Menindee Lakes River Murray and Euston Lakes Talywalka system Darling Anabranch Lindsay–Walpolla–Chowilla Millewa Forest.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Lower River Murray main channel (downstream from the Darling River junction) Billabong–Yanco–Columbo creeks Edward–Wakool system Koondrook–Perricoota Forest River Murray main channel (from Hume Dam to the Darling River junction) Lower Darling main channel Darling anabranch Talywalka anabranch Werai Forest.

Victoria

Northern Victoria

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Northern Victoria region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in Northern Victoria supports different features across these themes.

	Flows Expected outcomes for flows are: maintenance of current levels of flow connectivity in the Ovens catchment improved base flows and low in‑channel flows in the Loddon and Campaspe catchments improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows in the Goulburn and Broken catchments.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support waterbird populations and diversity (by providing drought refuges and areas for breeding and feeding) include: Corop Wetlands Winton Wetlands Waranga Basin.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitats for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Ovens River Lake Mulwala Lower Goulburn River Upper Mitta River King River Broken River Broken Creek.

Victorian Murray

The Victorian Murray region contains 4 wetlands that are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – Barmah Forest, Gunbower Forest, Hattah–Kulkyne Lakes and the Kerang Wetlands.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Victorian Murray region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Victorian Murray supports different features across these themes.

	Flows Expected outcomes for flows are: improved base flows, low in-channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows in the Victorian Murray catchment (this smaller catchment occurs along the upper Murray River, and is part of the wider Victorian Murray water resource plan area) maintenance of current levels of flow connectivity in the Kiewa catchment.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) lignum (Duma florulenta) moira grass (Pseudoraphis spinescens) in Barmah–Millewa Forest other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support waterbird populations and diversity (by providing drought refuges and areas for breeding and feeding) include: Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest Kerang Wetlands Lindsay–Walpolla–Chowilla Floodplain Barmah–Millewa Forest Kiewa River.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing key movement corridors, key flow rates, drought refuges and habitat for threatened species) include: Chowilla anabranch Euston Lakes (including Washpen and Taila creeks) Lindsay–Walpolla–Mularoo Creek Hattah Lakes Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest Barmah–Millewa Forest.

Wimmera–Mallee

The Wimmera–Mallee region contains 3 wetlands that are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – Lake Albacutya, Hattah–Kulkyne Lakes, and the Kerang Wetlands.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Wimmera–Mallee region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Wimmera–Mallee supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows and low in‑channel flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens).
	Waterbirds Important sites that support waterbird populations and diversity (by providing drought refuges and areas for breeding and feeding) include: Kerang Wetlands Hattah Lakes Lake Albacutya Lake Buloke Lake Hindmarsh.
	Native fish Kerang Lakes supports native fish populations and diversity by providing habitat and drought refuges for threatened species.

Queensland

Condamine–Balonne

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Condamine–Balonne region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Condamine–Balonne supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) lignum (Duma florulenta) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Water for the environment does not target any sites for waterbirds in this region.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Condamine River (Surat to Oakey Creek, including lower Oakey Creek) Condamine headwaters and Spring Creek (upstream of Killarney) Culgoa junction to St George (including lateral connectivity to the floodplain) floodplain lagoons (between Condamine and Surat) Charley's Creek and tributaries (upstream from Chinchilla).

Queensland Border Rivers–Moonie

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Queensland Border Rivers–Moonie region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Queensland Border Rivers–Moonie supports different features across these themes.

	Flows Expected outcomes for flows are: maintenance of current levels of flow connectivity in the Moonie catchment improved base flows and low in‑channel flows in the Queensland Border Rivers catchment.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Water for the environment does not target any sites for waterbirds in this region.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Macintyre River (floodplain lagoons between Goondiwindi and Boomi) Lower Moonie River to Barwon River.

Warrego–Paroo–Nebine

The Warrego–Paroo–Nebine region contains the Currawinya Lakes (Currawinya National Park), which are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Warrego–Paroo–Nebine region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Warrego–Paroo–Nebine supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcome for flows is maintenance of current levels of flow connectivity.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Currawinya Lakes support waterbird populations and diversity by providing areas for breeding and feeding.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Warrego River (Darling to Ward rivers) anabranches laterally connecting the Paroo and Warrego rivers (including Gumholes and Cuttaburra creeks) Paroo River.

South Australia

Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens).
	Waterbirds The Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges provide flows into Lake Alexandrina, which is in the South Australian River Murray region. Lake Alexandrina supports shorebird abundance, waterbird populations and diversity and colonial waterbird breeding, by providing areas for breeding and feeding.
	Native fish The Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges provide spring-fed creek and swamp habitats that support populations of rare native fish species including Southern pygmy perch, mountain galaxias and river blackfish. The native fish populations of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges rely on groundwater, landform, and rainfall to maintain sufficient habitat for their survival.

South Australian Murray Region

The South Australian Murray region contains part of 2 wetlands that are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – Banrock Station Wetland Complex and the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the South Australian Murray region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the South Australian Murray supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) lignum (Duma florulenta) Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support shorebird abundance, waterbird populations and diversity and colonial waterbird breeding (by providing drought refuges and areas for breeding and feeding) include: Noora evaporation Basin Pyap Lagoon Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth.
	Native fish The Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth support native fish populations and diversity by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges.

South Australian River Murray

The South Australian River Murray region includes 3 wetlands that are listed as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – Banrock Station Wetland Complex, Riverland, and the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the South Australian River Murray region that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the South Australian River Murray supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows, low in‑channel freshes, bankfull events and low overbank flows.
	Vegetation Important water-dependent species in the region include: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) lignum (Duma florulenta) Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong other non‑woody water‑dependent species.
	Waterbirds Important sites that support shorebird abundance, waterbird populations and diversity and colonial waterbird breeding (by providing areas for breeding and feeding) include: Lindsay–Walpolla–Chowilla Floodplain Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth.
	Native fish Important sites that support native fish populations and diversity (by providing habitat for threatened species, key movement corridors, key flow rates, and drought refuges) include: Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth swamps on the lower Murray channel, between Wellington and Mannum (swamp geomorphic region) Katarapko anabranch Pike anabranch Lower River Murray main channel (downstream of the Darling River junction).

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory contains the Ginini Flats Wetland Complex, which is listed as internationally-important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The Basin-wide environmental watering strategy (BWS) identifies important features of the Australian Capital Territory that must be maintained for the health and function of the Basin as a whole system.

Water for the environment in the Australian Capital Territory supports different features across these themes.

	Flows The expected outcomes for flows are improved base flows and low in‑channel flows.
	Vegetation Water for the environment does not target any vegetation species in this region.
	Waterbirds Water for the environment does not target any sites for waterbirds in this region.
	Native fish The Cotter River supports native fish populations and diversity by providing habitat for threatened species.

These themes are regularly reviewed by the MDBA as new science and monitoring information becomes available. Full details on these themes, including specific locations and species, can be found in the BWS. More information on determining the objectives and targets for water for the environment can be found in the Guide to the Environmental Watering Plan.

Water for the environment in your region

Water for the environment across the Basin

Basin‑scale water for the environment

Water for the environment in your region

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

South Australia

Australian Capital Territory

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