Right now in wetlands near Moree, turtles are being pulled from the mud as the water disappears around them. It’s an environmental catastrophe.
The Gwydir wetlands are internationally protected but have almost dried up because the NSW Government stopped environmental water being sent down the river destined for the wetlands. All because a big cotton irrigator has threatened to sue for compensation if water gets on to his property. Unbelievable.
These wetlands should be teeming with life, supporting thousands of waterbirds, frogs and turtles breeding, and both the state and federal governments have legal obligations to protect them.
If water isn’t returned to the wetlands now hundreds of turtles will die.
The NSW Government can, and must, fix this today. Tell them to turn the water back on so it reaches the wetlands and to support the efforts of scientists on the ground rescuing the turtles.