NSW Wetlands Crisis: Wildlife Rescue Urgent

Wildlife in New South Wales' critically dry wetlands faced an urgent rescue situation as water flows were halted. Legislation to allow these flows to resume has now passed the state parliament's upper house, offering a crucial step towards environmental recovery.

Minister for Water Rose Jackson highlighted the 'devastating' impact of ceasing water flows in the internationally significant Gwydir region. Scientists documented turtles being dug out of mud, and a grazier reported the deaths of various animals. The amendments aim to protect the state water agency from civil liability claims, ensuring operational water releases can proceed without legal concerns.

The region experienced its driest April on record, exacerbating the environmental crisis. The legislative changes, supported by the Greens and some crossbench MPs, are expected to allow flows to resume quickly once voted on by the legislative assembly. A former environmental water manager also called for an investigation into the department's past delays in environmental watering, which reportedly prioritized farming.

Passage of the bill in the upper house signifies a critical intervention for the Lower Gwydir wetlands. The Greens emphasized the urgency, noting it could take a month for water to reach the most affected areas. Public outcry following the rescue of dozens of turtles reportedly pressured the government into action.