About 60 people throughout the northern basin took the opportunity to find out more about the Northern Fish Flow event that's currently making its way down the river system to help native fish survive the drought.
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Representatives from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO), NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) were on hand to answer questions at various information sessions held in Goondiwindi, Toomelah, Boggabilla, Mungindi, Boomi and Moree last week.
"We put the information session on so people have the opportunity to come and have a chat about what's happening," CEWO local engagement officer Jason Wilson said.
Up to 36 gigalitres of water is currently being released from Glenlyon and Copeton dams by the CEWO and the OEH, to assist native fish and river ecosystems during the drought. The flow is topping up waterholes along the Dumaresq, Macintyre, Gwdyir, Mehi and Barwon rivers.
Irrigators, interested community members and school children attended the information sessions, and Mr Wilson said most people were understanding of the situation.
"We've had a lot of acceptance and people grateful for the information provided," he said.
"And landholders have been really good. Zara [Lowien] from Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association has been fantastic and very receptive. Same as the Border Rivers Food and Fibre. Some of the irrigators came to the information sessions. They were all well informed."
All students from Boomi Public School attended the information session in Boomi on Friday, May 17 and Mr Wilson said their comments reinforced the reasons behind the environmental release.
"The kids said 'we love going fishing and catching cod and yellow belly' - those are the types of fish we're trying to protect," he said.
"They said they love camping on the junction of Boomi and Macintyre rivers.
"This just outlines the social benefits of the flow which is supporting people along the river. At Toomelah, there were people who have family in Walgett and they were pleased to see the water go past and do the job, hopefully getting to Walgett.
"It's still dry but just to have some flowing water makes people feel better."
The water from the Border Rivers is expected to reach Mungindi sometime this week. The flow from the Gwydir system is past Bullarah, west of Moree.
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"It's extremely dry which indicates why it's been a little slow," Mr Wilson said.
"It's wetting up those holes and filling gaps, but all going to plan.
"It should get to Walgett.
"The river from Collarenebri to Walgett hasn't flowed for over 300 days."
The NRAR has been monitoring the flow to ensure it makes its way down the river system and NRAR's representative Jim Spiers said everyone is doing the right thing.
"Everyone is very aware of the importance of environmental water for the river," he said.
