Macquarie River and Marshes

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During an optional field trip to the Macquarie Marshes following the forum, guests were welcomed to Country by Wayilwan Elder Uncle Tom Carney and enjoyed a performance in the Wayilwan language by the Warraan Widji Arts Centre’s Budjirriwan band. Video: Jane Howard, UNSW
Macquarie River and Marshes
Cultural Outcomes
May 21, 2026

2026 Flow-MER Northern Basin Forum

Flow-MER Project members, water managers, Aboriginal people, and other environmental experts came together for two days in March for the 2026 Flow-MER Northern Murray-Darling Basin Forum in Dubbo.

Jane Howard
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A large flock of ducks, mainly grey teal (Anas gracilis) with some pink-eared ducks (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) and Australasian shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis), at Louden's Lagoon in the Northern Nature Reserve Video: NSW DCCEEW
Macquarie River and Marshes
Waterbirds
May 21, 2026

Final Macquarie Marshes waterbird survey for 2025-2026

Final waterbird survey for 2025-26 recorded 31 waterbird species across 18 sites, including vulnerable brolgas and white-bellied sea-eagles. The most numerous species recorded were grey teal (Anas gracilis), with about 2,500 birds recorded.

Jane Howard
Dr Jennifer Spencer
Vanessa Cain
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The event gave our Flow-MER partners an opportunity to hear about the Project’s progress. Image: Jane Howard, UNSW
Macquarie River and Marshes
Communications and Engagement
January 30, 2026

Bringing research and landholders together in the Macquarie Marshes

Professor Richard Kingsford hosted local landholders in the Macquarie Marshes for a presentation and barbecue, creating an opportunity to share project updates and strengthen long-standing relationships central to the program’s success.

Jane Howard
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Dr Dylan van der Meulen (NSW DPIRD) implanting an acoustic tag into a golden perch in August 2024. During the less than three-minute transmitter implantation process, the fish are anesthetised to minimise any stress and water is recirculated over the fish’s gills in a purpose-built fish cradle . Image: NSW DPIRD
Macquarie River and Marshes
Native Fish
January 30, 2026

What tagging reveals about golden perch movement in the Macquarie River and Marshes

A major multi-year tracking project has revealed the scale and complexity of golden perch movement through the Wambuul–Macquarie River, its wetlands and floodplains, and the interconnected river systems of the northern Murray–Darling Basin.

Jane Howard
Jerom Stocks
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UNSW researchers William Hall and Dr Roxane Francis clipping turtle toenails for research. Image: Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH)
Macquarie River and Marshes
January 30, 2026

Turtle study on the move in Macquarie Marshes

New research in the Macquarie Marshes is tracking freshwater turtles to understand how they move in response to environmental water, helping inform where and when water is delivered to support wetland health.

Jane Howard
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During vegetation surveys, transect tape is used to mark out contiguous 1x1m quadrats (Image credit: Megan Powell).
Macquarie River and Marshes
Native Vegetation
November 24, 2025

First Flow-MER riparian zone vegetation survey in the Macquarie River and Marshes Area

In September, the Flow-MER vegetation team surveyed 15 riparian transects within the Macquarie River and Marshes Area.

Jane Howard
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Macquarie Marshes, Southern Lagoon, pictured during the August waterbird surveys (Photo credit: NSW DCCEEW)
Macquarie River and Marshes
Waterbirds
November 24, 2025

First Macquarie Marshes waterbird survey for the 2025-2026 water year

Flow-MER waterbird ground surveys were conducted at 12 Macquarie Marshes sites in August 2025, the first for the 2025-2026 water year. Many parts of the Marshes were inundated, particularly in the northern nature reserve, creating feeding habitat for waterbird species.

Jane Howard
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Image credits: Heather McGinness.
Macquarie River and Marshes
Waterbirds
May 26, 2023

Exciting waterbird tracking update!

A juvenile Intermediate Egret, tracked from Australia to Papua New Guinea, reveals new insights into migration patterns and stopover sites.

Dr Heather McGinness
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Artwork credit: Wiradjuri Artist Rebecca Salcole
Acknowledgement of Country

The Flow-MER Program team acknowledges the First Nations communities of the Murray–Darling Basin and pays respect to Elders past and present.

We acknowledge First Nations people as the Traditional Owners of the land, water and sky Country across the Basin and value the expertise, wisdom and enduring connections that have informed their care for Country over millennia.

We recognise the intrinsic connection of First Nations people to Country, and we value the enduring cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to the rivers, wetlands, and floodplains of the Basin. We are committed to working with First Nations people across the Murray–Darling Basin to build relationships in a meaningful and genuine way to support and empower them in reaching their aspirations.

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The information on this website is presented by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department) for the purposes of disseminating information to the public. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice.The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Portfolio Ministers for the Department or indicate a commitment to a particular course of action.

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