Objectives of Commonwealth environmental water use in the Lachlan River system during 2015-16 Commonwealth environmental water use As at 30 June 2016, 36 021 ML of Commonwealth environmental water had been delivered to the Lower Lachlan River system across three watering actions (Figure 1). These actions were designed to contribute to supporting native riparian, wetland and floodplain vegetation diversity and condition; and to provide habitat to support survival, maintain condition of, and provide reproduction opportunities for native fish (e.g. Murray cod and Golden perch), waterbirds (e.g. straw necked ibis), and other aquatic vertebrate species (e.g. Murray River turtle). The three actions were: 24 058 ML of Commonwealth environmental water into Lachlan River, targeting the Great Cumbung Swamp. This action is expected to consolidate the benefits of inundation that occurred in 2013 and support the survival and growth of wetland vegetation and habitat values for waterbirds and other water dependent species. 1087 ML of Commonwealth environmental water to Merrimajeel Creek targeting Murrumbidgil Swamp. 1497 ML of Commonwealth environmental water to Merrimajeel creek to support waterbird habitat at the Blockbank 9378 ML of Commonwealth environmental water to the Lachlan River, targeting flow cued native fish outcomes, specifically Golden perch, but also to contribute to non-flow cued native fish outcomes for species such as Murray cod. The specific objectives for these watering actions were: Action Primary Objective Secondary Objective 1 To protect, maintain and improve riparian, To improve hydrological connectivity, contribute to wetland and floodplain vegetation diversity and ecosystem function, support vegetation condition condition (river red gum, lignum and aquatic macrophytes) and ecosystem resilience. 2 To contribute to hydrological connectivity in the To support the ongoing recovery and resilience of Booligal wetlands and Murrumbidgil Swamp if dry conditions continue, by protect the extent and condition of native providing drought refuge. riparian and vegetation communities, potentially maintain base flows into Booligal Swamp to support waterbird breeding to completion 3 To support habitat requirements to native fish Trial the augmentation of flows to generate a Golden and other water dependent vertebrates. and/or silver perch movement and spawning Provide opportunities for native fish movement, response. spawning and recruitment Protect and maintain the health of existing extent of riparian, floodplain and wetland native vegetation communities.
Objectives of Commonwealth environmental water use in the Lachlan River system during 2015-16 Commonwealth environmental water use As at 30 June 2016, 36 021 ML of Commonwealth environmental water had been delivered to the Lower Lachlan River system across three watering actions (Figure 1). These actions were designed to contribute to supporting native riparian, wetland and floodplain vegetation diversity and condition; and to provide habitat to support survival, maintain condition of, and provide reproduction opportunities for native fish (e.g. Murray cod and Golden perch), waterbirds (e.g. straw necked ibis), and other aquatic vertebrate species (e.g. Murray River turtle). The three actions were: 24 058 ML of Commonwealth environmental water into Lachlan River, targeting the Great Cumbung Swamp. This action is expected to consolidate the benefits of inundation that occurred in 2013 and support the survival and growth of wetland vegetation and habitat values for waterbirds and other water dependent species. 1087 ML of Commonwealth environmental water to Merrimajeel Creek targeting Murrumbidgil Swamp. 1497 ML of Commonwealth environmental water to Merrimajeel creek to support waterbird habitat at the Blockbank 9378 ML of Commonwealth environmental water to the Lachlan River, targeting flow cued native fish outcomes, specifically Golden perch, but also to contribute to non-flow cued native fish outcomes for species such as Murray cod. The specific objectives for these watering actions were: Action Primary Objective Secondary Objective 1 To protect, maintain and improve riparian, wetland and floodplain vegetation diversity and condition To improve hydrological connectivity, contribute to ecosystem function, support vegetation condition (river red gum, lignum and aquatic macrophytes) and ecosystem resilience. 2 To contribute to hydrological connectivity in the Booligal wetlands and protect the extent and condition of native riparian and vegetation communities, potentially maintain base flows into Booligal Swamp to support waterbird breeding to completion To support the ongoing recovery and resilience of Murrumbidgil Swamp if dry conditions continue, by providing drought refuge. 3 To support habitat requirements to native fish and other water dependent vertebrates. Provide opportunities for native fish movement, spawning and recruitment Trial the augmentation of flows to generate a Golden and/or silver perch movement and spawning response. Protect and maintain the health of existing extent of riparian, floodplain and wetland native vegetation communities.