AN ENVIRONMENTAL release of as much as 132,000 megalitres of water into the Macquarie River system from Lake Burrendong in the middle of one of the worst droughts in recorded history has been pilloried by Narromine Mayor Craig Davies and Trangie farmer David Kinsey.
Mr Kinsey said the release did not mimick the natural environment, but rather distorted it, and Councillor Davies said it was irresponsible.
Macquarie Food and Fibre chairman Michael Egan said the release might “not be the most wise” use of the federal government’s environmental water holding.
“They’re in control of their own water and as taxpayers it’s our right to try and ensure it’s used most efficiently, the marshes do need a dry cycle and they’re in pretty good nick at the moment,” he said.
“If they’re trying to push water through to the Barwon I think not a lot will make it.”
Mr Egan said the Macquarie River environmental water had been “seriously over recovered” and some of the environmental water should never have left the consumptive pool and should be returned.
WaterNSW spokesman Tony Webber said the authority was simply releasing a water order.
“There is currently a release of 66,000 megalitres (reduced on Monday from 85,000ML) that began on July 24 and it may be extended, at the licensee’s discretion, depending on whether it rains or not.”
Cr Davies suggested the release was a bad decision made by city bureaucrats.
“I’m really sick and tired of this, that water could be put to good use on crops – to grow food – instead of evaporating into the atmosphere.”
Mr Kinsey said the release could do more harm than good.
“What if it artificially generates a (bird) hatching event? Does the wildlife then starve because there’s no food?”
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder said, like many irrigators, it had been forced to scale back plans because of reduced carry over allocations.
It said the release had been planned with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and its community-based advisory group, which includes irrigators.
A spokesperson said the flow would “water key parts of the Macquarie Marshes and support native fish movement and breeding opportunities.
“While some parts of the Macquarie Marshes are adapted to short dry periods they can’t go indefinitely without water.
“Some of these areas have had no water and precious little rain for over six months.
“As part of a three-year plan, up to 165,000 megalitres of water for the environment was planned for delivery to the Macquarie River and Macquarie Marshes.”
But because of drought, only 70pc of water carried over into 2018-19 is available.
“This means a volume closer to 132,000ML of water for the environment may be delivered into the Macquarie River system up to December 2018,” the spokesperson said.
