12 March 2026
Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) has worked closely with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to deliver a targeted environmental flow into Cudgel Creek, helping to support local platypus habitat and improve creek health.
The one‑off environmental flow was approved by DCCEEW and delivered last week by MI, following advocacy from local Leeton resident Mick McNamara, who has been monitoring platypus activity in the creek for a number of years.
Mr McNamara contacted DCCEEW after observing low water levels in Cudgel Creek and raised concerns about the potential impact on platypus, one of Australia’s most elusive native mammals.
MI supported the delivery of the approved flow working collaboratively with DCCEEW to ensure environmental outcomes can be balanced alongside operational requirements.
“Environmental flows like this play an important role in maintaining healthy waterways, and we are keen to work closely with DCCEEW and other stakeholders to identify and support similar environmental watering opportunities elsewhere across our network,” MI CEO Philip Holliday said.
“We value opportunities to work with government agencies and the community to support local ecosystems where possible.”
Mr McNamara has welcomed the delivery of the flow and is now advocating for a longer‑term solution, encouraging DCCEEW to consider ongoing environmental flows to help sustain platypus populations in Cudgel Creek into the future.
Platypus rely on permanent water, stable banks and healthy aquatic ecosystems to survive.
Maintaining adequate flows can help protect their habitat, improve water quality and support broader environmental health across the creek system.