QUEENSLAND SENDS ALMOST FOUR SYDNEY HARBOURS OF WATER TO SOUTHERN MURRAY DARLING BASIN

Queensland Water Minister Craig Wallace today said almost four Sydney Harbours of water – over 2100 billion litres - have flowed over the Queensland border into the southern Murray Darling Basin since late last year.

“Due to good inland rain, Queensland is able to do its bit to replenish water in the southern Murray Darling Basin,” Mr Wallace said.

“Queensland is being a good water citizen by managing water flows through to NSW, including to internationally significant wetlands such as NSW’s Narran Lakes,” he said.

Mr Wallace said following recent rain events, gauging stations on or near the Queensland/NSW border confirmed nearly 2100 billion litres had passed the border through the state’s river systems.

This includes 974 billion litres in the Warrego river system, 21 billion litres in the Nebine/Mungallala system, 160 billion litres in the Lower Balonne, 35 billion litres in the Moonie and 960 billion litres in the Paroo.

In a win for the environment, over 40 billion litres mostly from Queensland’s Lower Balonne River system has flowed into NSW’s world-listed Narran Lakes wetlands, which have had no water for more than three years.

“I congratulate Queensland irrigators who have been vigilant in ensuring that everyone is doing the right thing and delivering vital water for environmental uses.”

“Current flows into NSW show Queensland is more than fair in its use of Murray Darling Basin water when water is available,” he said.

Queensland uses a very small proportion of Murray Darling water.

Although 25% of the total area of the Murray Darling Basin is in Queensland, Queensland last year took only 2.6% of water extractions from the basin. In contrast, NSW took 43.3% and Victoria took over 41.6%.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.