News

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.

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.

Narran Lakes fish surveys undertaken over the full flood cycle

Floods in 2024 and 2025 filled the Narran Lakes wetlands. In December 2025, the Lower Balonne Flow-MER team, led by Austral Research and Consulting, completed a third fish survey at Narran Lakes (Dharriwaa) which focused on the recession stage, when floodwaters began to recede.

Caring for Country, together

For more than 65,000 years, Aboriginal people have held a deep connection to land and water. This knowledge has been built through care, observation and cultural practice. But for generations, they have been excluded from decisions about managing Country.

Watering event in Toorale and vegetation condition on the Western Floodplain

A record 2025 flooding event at Toorale National Park, driven by Queensland floodwaters, significantly boosted plant species richness, cover, and diversity across all four monitored floodplain communities.

Learning about Pondi: A Pondi monitoring and electrofishing demonstration event for First Nations Elders and broader communities

Pondi (Murray cod) holds deep cultural significance for First Nations people of the Lower Murray and Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth Area, featuring prominently in the creation story of the Murray River itself and all fish.

Mosaic: Life on the Western Lakes

In south-western New South Wales, on Mutthi Mutthi country, the Murrumbidgee River reaches the Western Lakes. This is a mosaic of temporary and permanent wetlands, where environmental water is delivered to support vegetation and create habitats for water-dependent animals.

What’s brewing at Lake Brewster?

Recurring cyanobacteria blooms at Lake Brewster have raised water quality concerns for the Lachlan system. A two-year University of Canberra research project is underway to find out why, and the first year of results are in.

Darling-Warrego (Baaka-Warriku) – Where two rivers meet

Journey through the diverse landscapes of Toorale National Park and Conservation Area. Once part of the world’s largest sheep station on the lands of Kunja and Kurnu-Baakandji Peoples, Toorale now protects the iconic plants and animals that depend on these floodplains.

Stories of Connection: Broome - A story by David Leeds

Connection to Culture and Country by guli harvesting

The Gwydir River system is part of Gomeroi Country. Kerrie Saunders, a Gomeroi woman living in Moree, NSW, is passionate about harvesting native grains and using them to make traditional foods. One of these grains is guli, the native millet.

A strong start to the 2025–26 frog season in the Lowbidgee

At Murrundi Swamp, the team recorded 1,244 tadpoles, the highest number seen at a single site in recent years. This included 216 Southern bell frog tadpoles, a nationally listed threatened species.