Bourke Mayor calls for urgent river flow

A dry Darling River at Tilpa Bridge. Picture courtesy of Andrew McLean Photography

Bourke Shire Council has made an urgent appeal for an environmental flow for communities along the Barwon Darling River.

Mayor Barry Hollman said the time for action was becoming critical, and any flow released from a dam would take at least six weeks to reach Bourke.

Councillor Hollman said ongoing drought and vanishing water supplies along the Barwon Darling had heightened the urgent need for the environmental flow.

“I am aware of the need for the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s Office and the various state agencies involved in the coordination of any flow to undertake a risk assessment associated with the flow and the potential impact on the fish population,” he said.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.