NSW drought: The devastating reality of conditions in the Murray-Darling

GALLERY: These are the extraordinary images of a persistently desolating drought ravaging the New South Wales Murray-Darling basin. Photographer Jenny Evans brings to light how the local communities are affected by drought and clean water shortages

Sheep are fed on the Lelievre property on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

1/19Sheep are fed on the Lelievre property on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Chrissy and Bill Ashby walk along the banks of the Darling River near their property Trevallyn Station on January 16, 2019 in Tilpa, Australia. Chrissy elaborates on being able to deal with the extreme heat, the drought, the dust but is deeply concerned about getting justice in regards to the poor state of the river. Its a fight for life for us, for you and future generations. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

2/19Chrissy and Bill Ashby walk along the banks of the Darling River near their property Trevallyn Station on January 16, 2019 in Tilpa, Australia. Chrissy elaborates on being able to deal with the extreme heat, the drought, the dust but is deeply concerned about getting justice in regards to the poor state of the river. Its a fight for life for us, for you and future generations. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Talita Cohen, 4, poses for a portrait in a bath filled with tap water from the Darling River on January 17, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

3/19Talita Cohen, 4, poses for a portrait in a bath filled with tap water from the Darling River on January 17, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Chrissy and Bill Ashby pose for a portrait on the banks of the Darling River near their property Trevallyn Station on January 16, 2019 in Tilpa, Australia. Chrissy elaborates on being able to deal with the extreme heat, the drought, the dust but is deeply concerned about getting justice in regards to the poor state of the river. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

4/19Chrissy and Bill Ashby pose for a portrait on the banks of the Darling River near their property Trevallyn Station on January 16, 2019 in Tilpa, Australia. Chrissy elaborates on being able to deal with the extreme heat, the drought, the dust but is deeply concerned about getting justice in regards to the poor state of the river. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Stuart Lelievre is met by wife Gabbie and son Nicholas, 15, as he delivers food to his sheep in a cement mixer on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart, Gabby and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

5/19Stuart Lelievre is met by wife Gabbie and son Nicholas, 15, as he delivers food to his sheep in a cement mixer on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart, Gabby and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Stuart Lelievre lays on his small patch of grass on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Lelievre likens his patch of lawn to a safe house. After working in extreme heat and dust all day it is crucial for the family's well being to be able to come home and relax in a nice space. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

6/19Stuart Lelievre lays on his small patch of grass on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Lelievre likens his patch of lawn to a safe house. After working in extreme heat and dust all day it is crucial for the family's well being to be able to come home and relax in a nice space. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

7/19Sheep are fed on the Lelievre property on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Talita Cohen, 4 and brother Casey, 2, pose for a portrait in a bath filled with tap water from the Darling River on January 17, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

8/19Talita Cohen, 4 and brother Casey, 2, pose for a portrait in a bath filled with tap water from the Darling River on January 17, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

9/19Sheep are fed on the Lelievre property on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Gabbie Lelievre and her 15 year old son Nicholas prepare to feed their sheep on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabby and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

10/19Gabbie Lelievre and her 15 year old son Nicholas prepare to feed their sheep on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabby and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

A dog puts his head in the water in 47 degree heat on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

11/19A dog puts his head in the water in 47 degree heat on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Jasmin Kew relaxes in a blow up pool full of muddy tap water from the Darling River in 47 degree heat outside of Shindy's Inn on January 17, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

12/19Jasmin Kew relaxes in a blow up pool full of muddy tap water from the Darling River in 47 degree heat outside of Shindy's Inn on January 17, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

13/19Talita Cohen, 4, poses for a portrait in a bath filled with tap water from the Darling River on January 17, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

14/19Sheep are fed on the Lelievre property on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

A general view of Chrissy and Bill Ashby's swimming pool at their property on January 16, 2019 in Tilpa, Australia. Chrissy elaborates on being able to deal with the extreme heat, the drought, the dust but is deeply concerned about getting justice in regards to the poor state of the river. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

15/19A general view of Chrissy and Bill Ashby's swimming pool at their property on January 16, 2019 in Tilpa, Australia. Chrissy elaborates on being able to deal with the extreme heat, the drought, the dust but is deeply concerned about getting justice in regards to the poor state of the river. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Nicholas Lelievre, 15 prepares to feed the family sheep on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

16/19Nicholas Lelievre, 15 prepares to feed the family sheep on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

A general view of Dunlop Station's weir on January 14, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

17/19A general view of Dunlop Station's weir on January 14, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

18/19Chrissy and Bill Ashby pose for a portrait on the banks of the Darling River near their property Trevallyn Station on January 16, 2019 in Tilpa, Australia. Chrissy elaborates on being able to deal with the extreme heat, the drought, the dust but is deeply concerned about getting justice in regards to the poor state of the river. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Nicholas Lelievre 15, prepares to feed the family's sheep before dawn on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

19/19Nicholas Lelievre 15, prepares to feed the family's sheep before dawn on January 16, 2019 in Louth, Australia. Stuart Lelievre, wife Gabbie and their boys, feed all of their sheep due to dire drought conditions. The feeding is time consuming and a financial burden and they are dealing with issues of physical and emotional exhaustion as a result. Apart from the ongoing drought, Gabbie is outraged that her boys don't have access to clean water for showers. She likens it to a third world country. Local communities in the Darling River area are facing drought and clean water shortages as debate grows over the alleged mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin. Recent mass kills of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Darling river have raised serious questions about the way WaterNSW is managing the lakes system, and calls for a royal commission. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/photos/nsw-drought-the-devastating-reality-of-conditions-in-the-murraydarling/image-gallery/ed0c2052ca4cf98c2b269ad550edda97

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