Overall, the effects of water recovery in this catchment have been quite small, however Namoi communities have observed water recovery at a time of considerable change. Changes to the mining industry have affected Narrabri, and changes to population and employment have had an impact on Wee Waa. Wee Waa is an important community in this catchment, and will benefit from a reduction in the overall recovery target. The Authority was conscious of the impact of water recovery when setting the local recovery target of 20 GL. Effects on businesses and communities Narrabri, Gunnedah, and Boggabri: These towns have all faced changes in population and employment consistent with other regional communities. As the agricultural sector in these towns has declined, consistent with regional trends, the social and economic condition has been boosted by mining activity. Their position upstream means these towns have experienced very little water recovery. Wee Waa: The Wee Waa economy is dependent on irrigation, particularly cotton, and dryland agriculture. Most of the water available for irrigation in the Namoi is used in this community. Waa Waa's specialisation in cotton and a less diverse local economy affects its capacity to adapt to changes in water availability. Half of the water recovered to date has been via infrastructure development, providing benefits for landholders and indirectly to the community. Narrabri Effects on the environment The environmental outcomes in the Namoi under the proposed recovery target are similar to those likely under the current Basin Plan. The proposed water recovery target: ensures the native vegetation in areas near the river is healthy and sustained supports breeding opportunities for a range of native fish, frogs, turtles, and other invertebrates ensures river environments stay connected; and transport of sediment, nutrients and carbon continues, which is an essential ecosystem service. Under both the proposed water recovery target and current Basin Plan there is likely to be an improvement to overall river health. Further environmental improvements are also possible by negotiating temporary arrangements to buy or sell water with other entitlement holders. Contribution to the whole Flows from the Namoi contribute to downstream outcomes along the system and for the Barwon‒Darling, particularly in wetter years. Regulated flow releases in the Namoi provide opportunities to extend flows in the Barwon‒Darling. MACQUARIE
Overall, the effects of water recovery in this catchment have been quite small, however Namoi communities have observed water recovery at a time of considerable change. Changes to the mining industry have affected Narrabri, and changes to population and employment have had an impact on Wee Waa. Wee Waa is an important community in this catchment, and will benefit from a reduction in the overall recovery target. The Authority was conscious of the impact of water recovery when setting the local recovery target of 20 GL. Effects on businesses and communities Narrabri, Gunnedah, and Boggabri: These towns have all faced changes in population and employment consistent with other regional communities. As the agricultural sector in these towns has declined, consistent with regional trends, the social and economic condition has been boosted by mining activity. Their position upstream means these towns have experienced very little water recovery. Wee Waa: The Wee Waa economy is dependent on irrigation, particularly cotton, and dryland agriculture. Most of the water available for irrigation in the Namoi is used in this community. Waa Waa's specialisation in cotton and a less diverse local economy affects its capacity to adapt to changes in water availability. Half of the water recovered to date has been via infrastructure development, providing benefits for landholders and indirectly to the community. Narrabri Effects on the environment The environmental outcomes in the Namoi under the proposed recovery target are similar to those likely under the current Basin Plan. The proposed water recovery target: ensures the native vegetation in areas near the river is healthy and sustained supports breeding opportunities for a range of native fish, frogs, turtles, and other invertebrates ensures river environments stay connected; and transport of sediment, nutrients and carbon continues, which is an essential ecosystem service. Under both the proposed water recovery target and current Basin Plan there is likely to be an improvement to overall river health. Further environmental improvements are also possible by negotiating temporary arrangements to buy or sell water with other entitlement holders. Contribution to the whole Flows from the Namoi contribute to downstream outcomes along the system and for the Barwon‒Darling, particularly in wetter years. Regulated flow releases in the Namoi provide opportunities to extend flows in the Barwon‒Darling. MACQUARIE
Northern-basin-review-report-FINAL.docx