From mid-April through to mid-May 2023, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) provided water for the environment across northern Basin rivers to help improve water quality, keep streams and rivers connected, and to support native fish to move along waterways. This water built on river flows from recent rainfall and kept rivers flowing into the cooler months when water quality risks lessen. These flows also maintained connection along tributaries and with the Barwon-Darling (Baawan-Baaka).
The Northern Refreshused water for the environment innovatively and adaptively from the Gwydir and Namoi catchments to build on water simultaneously being protected along the Barwon-Darling (Baawan-Baaka) through the activation of the Commonwealth’s unregulated licences. Flows provided through NSW Planned Environmental Water and ‘translucent’ Environmental Water Allowance releases from NSW tributaries also contributed to the Northern Refresh.
The map below outlines the main features of the Northern Refresh.
For more information, please contact your nearest Local Engagement Officer:
- Greg Ringwood (Toowoomba, Qld) 0418 210 389
- Jason Wilson (Walgett, NSW) 0418 210 389
Northern Refresh - Flow Event Updates
Northern Refresh event update 1
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder is providing up to 8.5 gigalitres of water for the environment from late April through to mid-May. This water will comprise of up to 4.5 gigalitres from the Gwydir catchment and around 4 gigalitres in the Namoi River.
Northern Refresh event update 2
Between mid-April and mid-May, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder delivered 8.8 gigalitres of water for the environment from the Gwydir catchment and Namoi River as part of a Northern Refresh Flow. This water helped to improve water quality, connect rivers and streams and enable native fish survive and move in the northern Basin.
