THE flows down the Lower Darling River are expected to reach Pooncarie in Far West NSW this week, but the releases from the Menindee Lakes, NSW, have slowed after dropping back to 150 megalitres a day.
The flows began on July 29 at 1500mgL/day, but the NSW Department of Primary Industries said it would like to stretch the flows out to the end of the year.
“This release of good quality water (about 35 gigalitres) is sufficient to meet all essential requirements including towns, domestic, stock and irrigation for permanent plantings only,” a department spokesman said.
Nerida and Laurie Healy run two properties – Court Nareen and Wyarama – north of Pooncarie, with 9000 Dorper ewes and lambs as well as tablegrapes.
They hope to stop carting water for domestic use from 160 kilometres away.
“It’s good to see the water,” Mrs Healy said.
“It gives us hope we can get through another season. But it’s a nervous happiness as we wait to see if the water quality will improve.”
