An “incomprehensible” disaster has struck NSW wetlands after the state water board abruptly stopped environmental flows in the north-west region, leading to the deaths of turtles, waterfowl, frogs and sheep.
Researchers at the University of New England (UNE) are desperately trying to save more than 300 turtles they say were left for dead at Gwydir Marsh near Moree after Water NSW cut off the influx following complaints from landowners.
Environmental flows refer to water that governments release from dams and tributaries into rivers and ecosystems to restore health.
Video shows scientists digging to reach a large female broad-shelled turtle trapped under mud in the drained Gingham Channel swamp.
Dozens of others are in the same predicament, and some have already died. Among the animals affected was an older female turtle that was carrying eggs and hoping to build a nest.
UNE conservation biologist Professor Deb Bower called the site a “disaster”.
“These deaths are incomprehensible given the dam holds environmental water. This may save the turtles, but Water NSW is simply not allowing them to be released,” she said.
The Gingham Channel supports four internationally important Ramsar sites in the Gwydir Wetlands area near Moree. The region’s wildlife relies on rain and flooding and environmental flows managed by the state and federal governments in support of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The flow into the area was due to continue until mid-to-late April but was abruptly stopped by Water NSW in early March, and Guardian Australia understands it was stopped following complaints from landowners about flooding on their properties. Water started flowing in early summer.
Bower said dead or dying turtles are just the most visible sign of broader ecological impacts.
She said it was “perverse” that her team was asked by the New South Wales government to rescue the surviving turtles when there was water stored at Copton Dam that could save them.
“We have rescued 40 turtles in the past four days, 39 of which ended up in Taronga.” [zoo] in Dubbo,” Bower said.
“We had to dig them out of the mud. When we were walking through the mud, we were thigh-deep in water.”
She added: “It’s ridiculous that the same state government is withholding water that could have saved these turtles and all other wildlife, and then paying to relocate these turtles to Taronga Zoo.”
Jonathan Geyer, a mower and conservationist who manages separate wetlands on nearby properties, told Guardian Australia that Water NSW’s sudden cessation of flows had killed many native animals that depended on the wetlands for survival.
He said this included chicks and eggs abandoned after native birds fled their nests, as well as “90 per cent of the frogs” in the wetland. Endangered migratory birds such as the Australian bittern and red snipe also fled.
“This is an incredible injustice to the environment and the Australian people,” he said.
Geyer’s family has farmed the area for generations and protected the wetlands for decades.
He told Guardian Australia he had not received any notice from the state Department of Environment or Water NSW about the decision to abruptly stop the flow of water. He said he knew something was up when he heard the crows and went out into the wetland one morning to find more than 100 sheep stuck in the mud. He said he had to euthanize 56 older ewes that were attacked by crows when they became stuck in the mud.
“The devastation is heartbreaking,” he said.
“I know what these wetlands looked like when they were alive, and they are incredibly beautiful.
“It’s shocking to know that they’re in that condition now and what they’ve lost.”
Kate Furman, a Green Party member of the NSW Legislative Council, filmed video footage at the Gingham Waterway site after visiting the area this week.
“An environmental catastrophe is now unfolding on government watch. These wetlands should be thriving at this time of year, supporting thousands of migratory birds, waterfowl, turtles and fish,” she says.
Furman said protecting ecological values like wetlands is “intentionally prioritized” in the state’s water laws.
“The Minister of Water must issue an urgent order to immediately restart the flow of environmental water, or hundreds of turtles will die,” she said.
NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson and Environment Minister Penny Sharp said they were aware of the situation.
“Water NSW has temporarily stopped releasing environmental water that floods private land,” she said.
“We are working to identify a pathway to resume these deliveries while managing our responsibilities as quickly as possible.”
She said urgent work was being done to relocate as many turtles as possible, with 39 turtles currently being cared for at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. She said they would be returned to the Gingham watering hole “after it is filled with water.”
“Water NSW continues to supply water to our rivers, including the Gwydir, by working with environmental water holders to maximize flows while keeping water within the river channel. The vast majority of environmental water releases remain unaffected,” she said.
WaterNSW has directed Guardian Australia to carry Mr Jackson’s statement.
#dont #understand #Birds #flee #hundreds #turtles #left #dead #government #cuts #water #NSW #wetlands