NSW green light to irrigators to harvest rainfall angers downstream residents

Menindee's Graeme McCrabb, who raised awareness of mass fish kills, says he is heartbroken by the state government's decision

The New South Wales government has given the green light to irrigation farmers in the north-west of the state to harvest the recent rainfall, pleasing some but causing anger in towns such as Menindee and Wilcannia and on the lower Darling where the river has not flowed for a year.

The lifting of the embargo for three days will be welcomed particularly by cotton farmers who have lobbied the NSW water minister, Melinda Pavey, warning that unless they are able to harvest the water their infrastructure will be damaged.