Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group LtdRegistered

In 202324, the Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group managed 4,836ML of Environmental Water Trust water holdings. We partnered with private landholders, NGO s, sporting clubs, NSW DPI Fisheries, NSW DCCEEW and local councils to deliver 2,021ML of water into 17 wetlands from NSW and VIC, inundating approximately ~463 hectares. Additionally, 2,815 ML of EWT water contributed to larger watering programs in Victoria including the Gunbower Creek and Upper Broken catchment, in partnership with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to make the most of wet antecedent conditions. Watering aimed to support threatened species, River red gum and Black box communities, create wetland and instream vegetation habitats, support waterbird and frog recruitment and diversity and improve conditions for smallbodied native fish. The Plains Wanderer Project at Gayini has continued throughout the 202324 year. The program comprised of vegetation monitoring, plains wanderer detection, fox baiting and engagement with the local Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC) Rangers. The monitoring from this year suggests that there is a resident population of Plains Wanderers at Gayini. Evidence of the cryptic bird was abundant in 202324. Calls were heard and four adults (including a male and three females) were detected during Ranger led surveys. The MDWWG has made exceptional progress through the Ian Potter Foundation capacity building grant, which concluded in 202324. It helped us raise the awareness of wetlands and the importance of environmental water delivery in the farwest of NSW and Victoria. This project has, through the delivery of water and employment of expert personnel, resulted in an improvement to the health of black box, river red gum, and lignum vegetation communities, and has increased the amount of suitable habitat available for threatened species in the region, including the Southern bell frog and Murray hardyhead fish. The MDWWG has been advocating tirelessly for wetlands in 202324 to people from all walks of life with thanks to the Ian Potter Foundation capacity building grant! The MDWWG, Western Local Land Services and Western Landcare created the Western Warriors , an educational program where remote public schools were directly engaged in the far West of NSW. The full day program included cultural and environmental themes and was delivered to over 300 school aged students across seven schools. The program was received so well that we will run and expand this activity in 202425.