Every year, we focus on meeting specific environmental demands in the Condamine–Balonne Valley. These priorities align to our broader environmental objectives for the region.
Environmental objectives in the Condamine–Balonne Valley
Our longer-term goals in the Condamine–Balonne Valley focus on supporting plants, wildlife and connectivity.
Plants
Maintain and improve the condition of plants along rivers, within channels, on floodplains, and in wetlands.
This includes lignum shrublands in the Lower Balonne and Narran Lakes. It also includes non-woody water-dependant plants.
Waterbirds
Increase waterbird numbers and maintain species diversity by:
- supporting naturally triggered breeding events
- maintaining suitable refuge, feeding and breeding habitat at targeted floodplain sites.
There are sites within the Condamine–Balonne Valley that are important to waterbird numbers across the Basin, including Narran Lakes.
Native fish
Help native fish, including golden perch, at different life stages, including migration, spawning and recruitment by improving:
- habitat condition
- productivity and food webs
- natural flow variability
- connectivity between river channels, wetlands, anabranches and floodplains.
Other vertebrates and invertebrates
Support opportunities for the reproduction and recruitment of other native aquatic species, including:
- frogs
- turtles
- freshwater mussels
- native water rats.
Connectivity
Support both:
- longitudinal connectivity with the Barwon–Darling River
- lateral connectivity between the river, wetlands and floodplains.
Increase in the frequency of freshes, bank-full and lowland floodplain flows.
Processes, water quality and resilience
Support key ecosystem functions, including:
- promote productivity
- maintain water quality in channels and pools
- maintain drought refuge habitat.
About environmental objectives
Environmental goals in the Condamine–Balonne Valley are based on:
- long-term environmental objectives in the Basin Plan
- state long-term water plans
- site management plans
- local ecological knowledge.
Environmental goals can change each year based on factors like:
- availability of water
- catchment conditions
- feasibility of operations
- demand for water.
We will keep updating these goals as part of our commitment to adaptive management.
Water planning
Water we plan to deliver, trade, and carry over in the Condamine–Balonne Valley this water year.
Latest water use
A list of current watering actions in the Condamine–Balonne Valley.