Project status
The NSW Government worked with communities to investigate opportunities to deliver improved environmental, cultural and broader community outcomes under the Better Baaka program.
The package of initiatives included in the program require funding to progress.
While we are not currently proceeding with all elements of the Better Baaka program at this time, we are committed to investigating future funding opportunities to deliver elements of the program supported by the community.
Proposed initiatives
Under the Better Baaka program, a range of new and existing measures were investigated to deliver outcomes supported by communities. Infrastructure improvements and operating rules were considered to make the Darling-Baaka system more flexible, so its rivers and floodplains could be maintained, and sustainable local communities, agriculture and industries supported.
A broader range of policy and rule options to improve connectivity across the Darling Baaka were also investigated through the Western Regional Water Strategy.
Together these programs sought to address a range of water issues important to local communities, such as water security, temporary water restrictions and the reconfiguration of upstream weirs.
Local communities were engaged on how to improve fish passage across 2,000 km of the system, through initiatives including the Northern Basin Toolkit Fish passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin project, which is currently progressing with delivery.
The program also focused on delivering important social and economic outcomes for local First Nations communities along the system, by enhancing tourism and education as well as through employment opportunities.
The proposed components/projects of the Better Baaka program included:
- Undertaking infrastructure works to allow Traditional Owners to participate in cultural watering activities in Cawndilla Creek. Work would create some physical separation between the lakes to improve management of the lower and upper lakes while ensuring almost permanent water in Cawndilla Creek and supporting First Nations employment and local tourism.
- Constructing a new fishway at Lake Wetherell and upgrading Weir 32 that could assist in improving fish passage, improving operational control and managing adverse water quality conditions.
- Including for example upgrading weirs at Pooncarie, Bourke and Collarenebri to provide greater town water security, increase fish passage and better manage Northern Basin flows.
- Considering a range of options including:
- reviewing long-term options for non-town weirs
- improving fish passage
- reinstating rock bar habitat.
- Local roads and employment package investigating improved access to, and the safety of, Main Weir Road, and improving amenities to help promote First Nations culture, kickstart tourism and provide employment opportunities for First Nations communities
- Upgrading Wilcannia Weir, installing a new fishway and allowing dual operation to increase town water security, improve fish passage, improve water quality and deliver First Nations employment and training opportunities.
- Work on developing a replacement weir in Wilcannia was paused after the Australian Government confirmed it is unable to commit further funding to the project at this time. Visit the project webpage for more information.
- Exploring strategic purchase options of water in the Northern Basin to improve connectivity between northern tributaries and the Barwon/Darling-Baaka systems and improve cultural and environmental outcomes.
- Undertaking a range of water infrastructure projects to improve water security and quality for local towns along the Darling-Baaka system, drought proof off-river water supply options and improving storage, while ensuring fish passage outcomes.
- view the Safe and Secure Program website.
- Identified through community engagement activities, this initiative aimed to improve ecosystem management practices, rehabilitation works along the river system, improve management of threatened species habitat and better management of grazing practices.
- Identified through community engagement activity, this initiative aimed to explore greater utilisation of the Great Darling Anabranch for water from Cawndilla Lake.
Information sessions
The Water Group hosted a series of webinars in November 2021 to introduce the Better Baaka program to stakeholders.
Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at water.enquiries@dcceew.nsw.gov.au