Mr Humphries said these restrictions would apply to supplementary access in the NSW Border Rivers, the regulated Gwydir and Lower Namoi Rivers, and also to large water users along the Barwon-Darling River system. 

“Despite some useful rainfall over the Christmas and New Year period, water supplies for many Darling River communities remain at critically low levels,” Mr Humphries said.

“Due to the serious nature of this situation, access to supplementary water for licensed water users in the regulated sections of the Border, Gwydir, and Lower Namoi Rivers is now restricted.

“Access to water for Barwon-Darling water users with B and C class licences is also similarly restricted. 

“Conditions will continue to be closely monitored and when there is sufficient assured inflow along the Darling River these restrictions will be lifted. 

“These restrictions will help to ensure that any future flows in the northern rivers will reach a number of communities along the Darling and secure water supply for critical human needs.”

Mr Humphries said this was the first time restrictions had been put in place since the ‘Millennium Drought’ of 2006/2007.

“It is absolutely vital that the NSW Government considers all options to secure water supplies for Darling River communities and that is why the NSW Government has taken decisive action to put these temporary restrictions in place,” Mr Humphries said.

The NSW Office of Water will provide updated advice should further rainfall and river flows eventuate.