Forest visitors advised to be wary of flooding in Millewa, Gulpa Island, Moira & Werai State Forests

Forestry Corporation advises visitors to the Millewa, Gulpa Island, Moira and Werai State Forests to be wary of forest flooding due to recent heavy rain.

“The increased volume of water cannot be held in storage and must be diverted into the Millewa Forest areas in accord with the annual operating plan for the Barmah-Millewa Significant Ecological Asset,” Forestry Corporation Deniliquin operations officer Gary Rodda said.

The Murray Darling Basin Commission has advised that around 30 000 megalitres will be reaching the Millewa and Werai groups of forests within four to six days.

Following consultation between Forestry Corporation, the Victorian Department of Sustainability and the Environment and the Murray Darling Basin Commission, it is planned that all regulators on the NSW side of the Murray River will be opened from Friday 2 September.

Mr Rodda said the opening of the regulators on the Murray and Edward Rivers and the resultant increased flows downstream of Stevens Weir would result in areas of Moira, Werai, Millewa and Gulpa Island forests being flooded and he advised forest users to exercise extreme care.

Forest access during the Victorian and NSW school holiday period may also be affected. All persons planning to visit these forests during the holiday period should contact Forestry Corporation at Deniliquin on (03) 5881 2266 before their visit.

Camping opportunities will continue to be available in the Millewa Forest along the Murray River near Picnic Point, along the Edward River near the Tocumwal Bridge, and along Gulpa Creek. However, Werai Forest is likely to remain inaccessible for the next two weeks at least.

Media contact: Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.