Happy weir back in the swim again
The dry gulch that was Barwon River at Brewarrina has been revitalised after recent rains with locals making most of the overflowing weir.
NSW
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The dry gulch that was Barwon River at Brewarrina has been revitalised after recent rains with locals making most of the overflowing weir.
After the worst drought in living memory, the town in the state’s northwest is rejoicing at the turnaround.
Teenagers caught fish with their bare hands in the river while others played under curtains of water cascading over the weir.
Brewarrina Shire Council Mayor Phillip O’Connor told The Daily Telegraph it is a relief to see the water flowing and locals having some fun.
“It is a magnificent sight to see the river running again. A lot of the shire has missed out on the water but it is a relief seeing it come downstream,” he said.
“The drought has been pretty hectic, we’ve just tried to get on with it the best we can, making use of all the state and federal government support to keep people in jobs and keep it all going.
“During the drought the river was an ugly sight. Just this ugly green muck caught on a dry riverbank.”
Brewarrina is the site of heritage-listed Aboriginal fish traps.
Among the groups of teenagers and children, keen fishermen kept a watchful eye out for the Murray cod in the free-flowing river.
Mr O’Connor, a former president of the local fishing club, said: “There is plenty of good eating in that water.”
BEFORE THE DROUGHT