Landholders along Bullatale Creek say a major State Government water project has pushed the once healthy waterway into crisis, with drying waterholes, fish deaths and rising farm costs now affecting properties throughout the district.
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The works, part of the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, involve replacing the creek’s old regulator with a new version designed to improve fish passage.
While the project is intended to deliver environmental benefits across the Basin, locals say the timing and management of the construction phase have caused severe and avoidable impacts.
Bullatale Creek Water Trust chairman Andrew Burge said the situation had become “frustrating to say the least”, with the creek deteriorating rapidly while the trust’s concerns went unanswered.
“We’ve had dozens of fish dying, waterholes drying, and our advice has been ignored,” Mr Burge said.
“To not respond effectively is disgraceful. That doesn’t cut it.”
He said problems began when construction started in October, despite the trust requesting the work not be carried out over summer or early autumn when irrigation water is also required.
A coffer dam was installed without the trust being notified, blocking flows needed for stock, domestic supply and environmental health.
“To see the creek dying like it is, is appalling, and it could have been avoided,” he said.
Mr Burge said Bullatale Creek had long been considered one of the healthiest waterways in the region, home to platypus, blackfish, turtles, Murray Cod, and a variety of other native flaura and fauna.
Farmers along the creek are now facing rising costs as they attempt to keep stock watered and fed.
“The cost to us is becoming considerable,” he said.
“Many people couldn’t even get house water.
“Stock management has been a major challenge too… we are going through hay reserves as stock are concentrated where water is available.”
He said concerns escalated when government approved pumping options proved inadequate.
“The first pump, despite the creek’s 80‑kilometre length, was only an eight‑inch pump.”
This is the second major setback for the creek in as many years.
In 2024, the NSW Government prevented the trust from desilting the short inlet channel where sand had built up against two supply pipes.
“To see this amazing creek again in an even worse state, is a real jab in the heart,” Mr Burge said.
“We are left dealing with the impacts at our own cost.”
He said the trust had struggled to get clear information from project managers, despite a legal agreement being in place.
“They’re not honouring their side of the agreement.”
A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said construction of the new regulator had impacted water supply to three properties in the lower reaches of Bullatale Creek.
They said DCCEEW has an agreement in place with the trust outlining the details of the works and notification requirements.
“As agreed with the property owners and the Trust, a 30ML pump was installed to ensure water flows through the creek while the existing regulator is shut off.
“This system has delivered over 1,200ML to date, reaching 65km of the 87km long creek,” the spokesperson said.
“However, dry conditions are causing a further reduction in progress of flow down the creek, which is why DCCEEW is currently in the process of sourcing a larger 50ML pump to rectify the downstream shortfall as soon as possible.”
The department said the trust was provided 10 days’ notice before the coffer dam was installed, and that detailed environmental assessment and ongoing consultation with landholders and the trust had been undertaken.
The upgrade forms part of the Millewa Forest Project under the SDLAM Acceleration Program, which aims to deliver critical environmental water into the forest and ensure long‑term ecological benefits.
Mr Burge said the Bullatale Creek project shows how large‑scale policy can have unintended consequences on the ground.
“Local knowledge was not valued, had it been so, we would not be in this position.”
“This creek carries water from the Murray to the Edward,” he said.
“It’s vital. And right now, it’s being pushed to breaking point.”
The trust is calling for urgent intervention, improved communication and immediate steps to restore flows before further environmental and economic damage occurs and any remaining fish die.