Latest news with #WaterNSW
ABC News
01-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Rising water in Menindee Lakes prompts increase in tourists and birds
As water levels steadily rise at Menindee Lakes, so too do the numbers of tourists and birdlife in the area. Floodwaters from Queensland have been flowing from the northern basin catchments into the lake system for several months. The lakes are dotted along the Darling River about 100 kilometres south-east of Broken Hill in far west New South Wales. River Lady Tours owner Rob Gregory said tourist numbers in the area had risen on the back of the influx of water. "Certainly a lot more people hanging around a bit longer, but our warmer weather has also hung on a bit longer too," Mr Gregory said. "Normally [by] Anzac Day, it's starting to get down cool but it's taking sort of four weeks and it's still quite pleasant. "[There are] a lot of different number plates [on vehicles in the area] … the occasional overseas tourist, as well." In an update in April, WaterNSW said modelling suggested 800 to 1,200 gigalitres of water from the northern basin tributaries could be received into the lakes by late May or early June. The lakes are sitting at 60 per cent capacity. Mr Gregory said so much water had come through the Menindee Lakes, he had to move his tour boat along Wetherell Lake to a spot where he could "access it a bit easier". "[Tourists] are seeing a few birds, water flows … around where we go, there is a bit of current there which is unusual to see in here because we're normally pretty placid," he said. "Lots of the dead trees, scarred trees, a few fish surfacing. "It's a good look." Mr Gregory said when the lakes were at maximum capacity, the 500 square kilometres of water in the middle of the desert made it "one special region". Tourists Bill and Jen Tom made their way to the Menindee Lakes on a five-week road trip. Ms Tom is a keen birdwatcher and Mr Tom made sure to bring his bagpipes with him, which he played by the lakes. "We live on the Murray at Cobram [Victoria], and it's nice to see the contrast in the [Darling and Murray] rivers," Mr Tom said. "I'm also interested in seeing what's happening here at the lakes. It's beautiful to see, there's so much water coming down." Menindee publican Deena Tangey said she had seen an uptick in the number of people around town, with people visiting from all around the country. She said the pub's lunch service had "probably doubled" in the past three months. "Meals have gone through the roof at lunchtimes," Ms Tangey said. "In the summer, you might do eight or nine tables … now we're doing anywhere from 15 and above." Ms Tangey said residents and tourists alike were having luck fishing — but as for where, she couldn't say. "The fish are on, everyone's catching fish, and they're catching quite a big perch," Ms Tangey said. "I don't know where because that's a big secret. 'In the water,' you get told."
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Millions of Aussies about to cop more wild weather
Australia is set for more wild weather this week - but of a different kind after torrential rain and flooding buffeted NSW. The Bureau of Meteorology says that a cold front is due to sweep into south-eastern Australia, bringing rain, destructive winds and even snow. With winter just a week away, meteorologist Jonathan How described it as the most powerful cold front of the year. The cold front is moving in from the Southern Ocean and is expected to make its mark on southern Australia on Sunday and Monday. The BOM says that residents in southern states can expect strong northerly winds and there is the risk of dust storms across the agricultural regions of South Australia and Victoria. On Sunday night, the cold front will reach Adelaide, bringing rain, strong winds and thunderstorms. Ten to 25mm of rain is expected in the South Australian capital on Monday, with showers easing by the middle of the week. The bureau has issued strong wind and gale warnings for large swathes of South Australia and Victoria for Sunday. The BOM also warns that winds over 90km/h are expected in the NSW Snowy Mountains and alpine regions. Conditions are expected to ease across south-eastern NSW on Sunday before northerly winds pick up again the following day. On Monday, the cold front will push across the rest of south eastern Australia. 'We see these very strong winds coming up from the south, with widespread damaging winds expected to across much of south east South Australia, Victoria, and also New South Wales,' Mr How said. Sydney is expected to be mostly sunny on Sunday, but rain is forecast to return next week. Tuesday is expected to be cold, with sub-10 degree minimums expected in Adelaide and Melbourne, with possible snow in the alps. DAM SPILLS Meanwhile, Sydney's Warragamba Dam has spilled after a week of heavy rain. WaterNSW said that Warragamba Dam - which services much of Sydney - reached 100 per cent capacity on Saturday afternoon. It said that inflows into the dam were slowing as rain clears, however it was now at capacity. 'Residents are reminded to remain alert to warnings,' WaterNSW said in a statement. 'If you are downstream of the dam, stay away from fast flowing or deep water near waterways and floodplains.' An outflow of 20 gigalitres is expected on Sunday. 78.7mm of rain has fallen across the Warragamba catchment over the last week, according to WaterNSW. Several other smaller dams across greater Sydney are already spilling including Woronora, Nepean, Cataract, Avon and Tallowa. Warragamba spilled three times last year, in April, May and June. CLEAN UP BEGINS The NSW SES says the clean-up is beginning, while they are looking to resupply residents that have been cut off due to rising waters during record floods across the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter regions. NSW SES acting assistant commissioner Allison Flaxman said they estimate 10,000 properties have been impacted by the floods. 'As the river levels begin to subside, NSW SES members and our partner agencies are today commencing the task of assessing properties which have been flood affected,' she said. The SES is warning residents to let damage assessments take place before anyone tries to return home. 'It's important we need to evaluate the extent of property and infrastructure damage to ensure your property is safe to return to,' Ms Flaxman said. At the same time she said the SES will continue to carry out re-supply operations of essential foods and medications to stranded residents. 'The NSW SES has carried out 200 resupply requests in the last two days,' she said. 'There are still many communities that remain isolated, with 50,000 people estimated to be impacted.'
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Aussies to cop more wild weather
Australia is set for more wild weather this week - but of a different kind after torrential rain and flooding buffeted NSW. The Bureau of Meteorology says that a cold front is due to sweep into south-eastern Australia, bringing rain, destructive winds and even snow. With winter just a week away, meteorologist Jonathan How described it as the most powerful cold front of the year. The cold front is moving in from the Southern Ocean and is expected to make its mark on southern Australia on Sunday and Monday. The BOM says that residents in southern states can expect strong northerly winds and there is the risk of dust storms across the agricultural regions of South Australia and Victoria. Strong winds are forecast for large parts of South Australia, Victoria and south eastern NSW over the next few days. Supplied/BOM. Credit: News Corp Australia On Sunday night, the cold front will reach Adelaide, bringing rain, strong winds and thunderstorms. Ten to 25mm of rain is expected in the South Australian capital on Monday, with showers easing by the middle of the week. The bureau has issued strong wind and gale warnings for large swathes of South Australia and Victoria for Sunday. The BOM also warns that winds over 90km/h are expected in the NSW Snowy Mountains and alpine regions. Conditions are expected to ease across south-eastern NSW on Sunday before northerly winds pick up again the following day. On Monday, the cold front will push across the rest of south eastern Australia. 'We see these very strong winds coming up from the south, with widespread damaging winds expected to across much of south east South Australia, Victoria, and also New South Wales,' Mr How said. Sydney is expected to be mostly sunny on Sunday, but rain is forecast to return next week. Tuesday is expected to be cold, with sub-10 degree minimums expected in Adelaide and Melbourne, with possible snow in the alps. Warragamba Dam spill during a spill last year. NCA NewsWire. Credit: News Corp Australia DAM SPILLS Meanwhile, Sydney's Warragamba Dam has spilled after a week of heavy rain. WaterNSW said that Warragamba Dam - which services much of Sydney - reached 100 per cent capacity on Saturday afternoon. It said that inflows into the dam were slowing as rain clears, however it was now at capacity. 'Residents are reminded to remain alert to warnings,' WaterNSW said in a statement. 'If you are downstream of the dam, stay away from fast flowing or deep water near waterways and floodplains.' An outflow of 20 gigalitres is expected on Sunday. 78.7mm of rain has fallen across the Warragamba catchment over the last week, according to WaterNSW. Several other smaller dams across greater Sydney are already spilling including Woronora, Nepean, Cataract, Avon and Tallowa. Warragamba spilled three times last year, in April, May and June. The clean up has begun in Taree. Scott Calvin/ NewsWire. Credit: News Corp Australia CLEAN UP BEGINS The NSW SES says the clean-up is beginning, while they are looking to resupply residents that have been cut off due to rising waters during record floods across the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter regions. NSW SES acting assistant commissioner Allison Flaxman said they estimate 10,000 properties have been impacted by the floods. 'As the river levels begin to subside, NSW SES members and our partner agencies are today commencing the task of assessing properties which have been flood affected,' she said. The SES is warning residents to let damage assessments take place before anyone tries to return home. 'It's important we need to evaluate the extent of property and infrastructure damage to ensure your property is safe to return to,' Ms Flaxman said. At the same time she said the SES will continue to carry out re-supply operations of essential foods and medications to stranded residents. 'The NSW SES has carried out 200 resupply requests in the last two days,' she said. 'There are still many communities that remain isolated, with 50,000 people estimated to be impacted.'
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Trains delayed, roads closed and ferries cancelled across Sydney as flooding leads to transport chaos
Heavy rainfall across Sydney has caused chaos on roads and railways as authorities warn of delays for those descending on the city for the opening of the Vivid lights festival. More than 200mm of rain fell in Richmond, about 90mm in Camden, more than 50mm in Katoomba and at least 75mm at Sydney airport in the 24 hours to 9am on Friday. Parts of the Illawarra, including Clover Hill, received more than 200mm of rain, causing localised flooding on the coast. Sydney and the Blue Mountains were expecting a further dump of up to 100mm over the next 24 hours. Warragamba dam was at 97% capacity and could spill on Friday or Saturday, Water NSW said. Days after a downed power line crashed Sydney's rail system for almost 48 hours, the network was again plagued by disruptions, with stretches of two lines not running. On Friday afternoon, trains were not running on the Airport and South line between Revesby and Turrella 'due to flooding', nor on the Central Coast line between Newcastle and Morisset after a landslip and flooding. Limited buses were replacing train services, with passengers advised to seek alternative travel or delay non-essential movements. Trains were also delayed or changed to shuttle services on the Leppington, Liverpool and Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra, Hunter, Southern Highlands and South Coast lines. There were cancellations across Sydney's ferry network, including on the Parramatta River. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Transport for NSW warned that flood waters had caused 'several major closures' on roads on the mid-north coast, Hunter and in parts of Sydney. Sydney's Vivid festival was scheduled to open on Friday evening. The Transport for NSW coordinator general, Howard Collins, said: 'If you are heading in tonight to see Vivid Sydney, please allow plenty of extra travel time and check your transport apps before heading out.' Additional reporting Australian Associated Press
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Fears as Warragamba Dam nears capacity in NSW flood event
Sydneysiders are being warned to remain alert as Warragamba Dam nears capacity, after earlier fears the dam would spill following relentless rains. The capital is expected to cop an estimated 90mm of rainfall through Friday, as the system that has caused devastating - and deadly - flooding across NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter regions moves further south. More than 118mm of rain was recorded at Sydney Olympic Park in the 24 hours up to 9am on Friday, with 108mm at Belrose and 104mm in Parramatta. Warragamba Dam - which is Australia's largest concrete dam and services much of Sydney - had reached 97 per cent as of late Friday morning, with the catchment recording 55mm of rain in the 24 hours up to 9am Friday and 76.3mm in the past week. WaterNSW had warned on Thursday - while the dam was at 96 per cent - that it was at risk of overflowing and spilling by Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning. 'The exact timing and volume of a spill will depend on catchment rainfall and the resulting inflow into the dam,' a statement read. 'Under the more likely forecast scenario, the dam would begin to spill later Friday or into Saturday morning.' NSW Premier Chris Minns told ABC Radio Sydney on Friday morning that no evacuation alerts had been issued in the Hawkesbury region, though conditions could still change. 'The truth is 40 per cent of floodwaters don't come over the top of Warragamba Dam, they come through the Colo, South Creek, Nepean and other river systems on the north of that river end,' he said. The most recent update from WaterNSW, released later on Friday morning, said there was now less chance the dam would spill over. 'A spill at Warragamba Dam is now less likely after overnight rain over the catchment came in below the highest forecasts,' the statement read. 'WaterNSW will continue to monitor dam inflows and rainfall throughout the day and will keep the community updated on any expected impacts on Warragamba Dam.' The dam was predicted to overflow after NSW residents were hit with a three-day barrage of rains in June last year. The rains are not quite over yet for those in Sydney and NSW, with the Bureau of Meteorology's Dean Narramore saying on Friday morning that severe warnings had been issued for regions from the Illawarra to the Snowy Mountains. Some areas were tipped to receive six-hourly totals of up to 100mm. The SES has warned of heavy rainfall extending further south to the Southern Tablelands and inland South Coast, which will affect Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat for the rest of Friday.
