Residents Concerned About Increased Water Release from Menindee Lakes
The topic is the Murray-Darling Basin.
It is Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 7:34 am.
The Menindee Lakes are 32% full.
In short:
Water releases from the Menindee Lakes have increased.
People living near the river are worried.
What's next?
The NSW government will monitor water levels.
Residents are unhappy with the decision.
The water release will increase from 200 to 400 megalitres per day.
A resident said the decision is upsetting.
I was very surprised.
The water level in the lakes has fallen since October.
Residents are worried the lakes will dry up.
It would be very painful if the river dried up again.
Simon Banks manages water for the environment.
The decision was made to help fish downstream.
There were big fish kills in 2018, 2019, and 2023.
The increased water flow will help the fish.
A survey found many native fish in the area.
The surveys found 23 Murray cod and over 200 golden perch.
We are trying to help the whole system.
The water being released is for the environment.
The government bought back water rights.
Only a small amount of water is being removed.
It's like pulling a bit too hard.
Dr Banks said it's good to have water for the environment.
A farmer said she would prefer the water to stay in the lakes.
It's more important to keep water in the lakes for later.
The CEWH did not consider the community's perspective.
The decision does not make sense to residents.
The CEWH is being arrogant.
They don't understand what it's like to live with a dry river.
We're worried they're using too much of the drought reserve.
Simon Banks said managing the drought reserve is up to NSW.
A resident said there was not enough consultation.
The CEWH has been criticized for not working with the community.
Dr Banks said there was consultation.
We made the decision based on science.
We hope it will rain soon.
If it doesn't rain, the river might dry up.
The river level at Wilcannia is low.
A professor said the CEWH is in a difficult position.
You can't predict what will happen.
Using the water now might be a good decision, but it's also a risk.
It's also important to help the fish in the Lower Darling.
There is a strong El Niño event predicted.
The NSW government supports the decision to increase water releases.
The government will monitor the situation.
The CEWH will also monitor the weather.
If it gets dry, it will be a problem for the whole basin.
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