Macquarie+Marshes

A brief description of the location of Macquarie marshes:
The Macquarie marshes is a large area of wetlands which covers around 220, 000 hectares in north west New South Wales, it is one of the largest semi-permanent wetlands in the south east of Australia. It starts in the south of Marebone weir, which is situated 50km north of Warren, they extend further north 100km until all channels unite and form one wetlands near Carinda.

Geographic Characteristics: Natural:climate,Brewarrina The average temperature ranges The area's highest recorded temperature is 48.9° C. Its lowest recorded temperature is -4.2° C. Information recorded by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology [|weather station at Brewarrina Hospital]

The area's highest recorded rainfall is 145mm in one day. Information recorded by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology
 * Average rainfall ranges**

HUMAN:The population in the Macquarie Marshes in 2001 was 211 people. By 2006 the population in Macquarie Marshes has grown to 273 people which shows an increase of about 62 people over the five years.Buildings in the area include houses, farming areas, one pub, playground, hospital which contains a medical centre. Industries in the Macquarie Marshes include the wedding industry, cotton industry and cattle farming industry to name a few.

WHATS THERE??? In the macquarie Marshes there are cotton farms, cattle farming, housing and vegetaion.

Significant issues/ conflicts in the Macquarie Marshes:

 * Should the water supply be increased for the marsh region?
 * Who should manage the river water: locals or governments?
 * when water is a valuable resource, how can nature 'pay' for its share?
 * what steps should be taken to ensure that ramsar obligations are met?
 * what steps can be taken to ensure that agricultural producers' need to be met?
 * how can other competing needs be met?

identify the groups involved:
The groups involved for the issues are the local government and the federal government because the local government doesnt want water to be taken from the Macquaries Marshes to be used for irrigation and water supplies towards the inner regions/ coastal regions of Australia because they feel it will have a massive impact on the enviroment and habitat in this area.The economist want water in the area to be distributed out evenly because as the water moves downstream it leaves the upper stream people stranded and with less water to use for agriculture and farming etc. There is a major conflict between the yarra valley wines and coal mining in the region with both a major impact on the economy but yarra valley wine claims they do not recieve enough water to survive in the long term and they say it is because the mining is taken most of the water.

identify the rankings in the conflict:

 * The major issue in the area is the debate about where more water is needed downstream or upstream because upstream claims they dont recieve enough water and would like more share.
 * The second issue faced is between yarra valey wines and mining and which one deserves more water this is usually solved by which one puts more money into the economy.
 * local government and federal government are having an arguement over who recieves the water farmers or the city?

What are the policies/ strategies available in the Macquaire Marshes:
Macquarie Marshes nature reserve plan of management: this plan recognises that the nature reserve is,however only a small part of the Macquarie Marshes and that ensuring adequate management, particularly with respect to water allocation, for the whole area of the wetland is and important wildlife management strategy.