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Water NSW criticised for ‘appalling’ decision after hundreds of turtles left to die in wetlands

NSW abruptly stopped flows to the Gwydir wetlands region near Moree in March. Environmental flows refer to water

Governments failed to deliver $160m of river improvements including for now-parched NSW wetlands, report finds

water flow. Scrutiny of the program comes [after serious criticism](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/21/water-nsw-criticised-for-appalling-decision-after-hundreds-of-turtles-left-to-die-in-wetlands) was directed at the NSW government this week over a WaterNSW decision to abruptly stop environmental flows to the Gwydir wetlands

Water flows to parched NSW wetlands could be turned back on within weeks as drought fears loom

NSW environment and water department. WaterNSW stopped flows to the Gwydir region in March after concerns were raised about flooding of private land. Scientists were [filmed digging turtles out of mud](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/18/incomprehensible-birds-flee-and-hundreds-of-turtles-left-to-die-after-government-cuts-water-to-nsw-wetlands)