Macquarie River rafts

Following previous flood events in NSW, debris rafts have formed along a stretch of the Macquarie River, between Warren (Top) Weir and Marebone Weir in Warren.

The debris rafts are comprised of organic and human-derived materials.

The Environmental Services Functional Area (the EPA is the lead agency) has been working with supporting government agencies and the community as part of a coordinated environmental recovery effort.

The NSW Government held two drop-in sessions in 2023 in Warren to discuss management options for the rafts.  The sessions provided feedback and insights into community concerns and the potential risks associated with rafts and proposed approaches to managing the rafts.

Following inspections in December 2023, a recommendation was made to extend the scope of the project from partial removal of two rafts to removal of human-made debris from the Macquarie River rafts between Warren (Top) Weir and Marebone Weir, including from the river shoreline. Identifiable woody weed debris, like willow, will also be removed from rafts.

The EPA has appointed a contractor to complete the works which commenced on 8 April 2024. All works are being conducted in a manner that is safe to human health and the environment.

Where native woody debris is over 300mm in diameter or 3m in length it is not being removed entirely from the river (in line with Department of Primary Industry’s snag guidelines) but is being tethered to the bank to assist with bank stabilisation and preserving aquatic habitats.

Water monitoring upstream and downstream of rafts is being conducted during the works and immediately after the work.

Map of raft locations as at June 2023