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The Basin is home to a wide variety of waterbirds and woodland birds, some of which live in the Basin all year round and some of which are migratory.

The health of native fish in the Murray−Darling Basin is a vital legacy that we leave for future generations. Releasing water for the environment helps to restore native fish populations so all of us can benefit from healthy rivers.

In 2019, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority undertook a detailed survey of the River Murray through the Barmah–Millewa Reach to investigate the reduction in regulated flow capacity through the Reach. This revealed the presence of a large quantity of sand on the bed of the river, referred to as a ‘sand slug’, which was not expected. In response to this, the MDBA has undertaken a series of investigations to understand the extent and source of the sand, the rate it is moving at and options to manage it.

A review of the relationships between flow and waterbird ecology in the Condamine-Balonne and Barwon-Darling River systems.

The Narran Lakes waterbird research improves our understanding of how flooding in the Narran Lakes affects waterbird breeding events.

Murray cod, trout cod and Macquarie perch populations in the Basin are all improving from increased flows and better habitats.

Capitalising on the wettest conditions for years to support native fish, waterbirds, native vegetation and river flows in the Basin are a key focus for watering priorities in 2017–18.

Supporting native animals such as the silver perch, waterbird habitat and wetland vegetation are a key focus for watering activities in 2016–17.

The Barmah–Millewa Forest bush bird surveys in 2016-17 identified a total of 61 woodland bird species in the survey plots. Species were recorded from both the survey plots and the adjoining habitat. There were 1221 individual birds recorded from across twenty sites in the Barmah–Millewa Forest.

Trading water from above the Barmah Choke to below the choke will continue to be restricted into the 2016–17 water year.