To the Speaker and Members of the NSW Legislative Assembly, we the undersigned, request that the NSW Parliament stop plans to cut off the Menindee Lakes from the Darling-Baaka River and instead reform water management to ensure less extraction in the Northern Basin of the Murray Darling Basin, so that more water flows down the Darling-Baaka River and into Menindee Lakes.

We also request that the NSW Parliament investigate having the Menindee Lakes listed as a RAMSAR site to give it status as an important area for migratory birds.

Plans to reconfigure the Menindee Lakes system to reduce water in the system by up to 80% will have a catastrophic impact on the ecological value of the system, detrimental affects on the community of the far west of NSW, and impinge on the cultural practices and sacred sites of the Barkindji.

The Menindee Lakes is an important fish breeding nursery for the Murray Darling Basin. It is a critical habitat for a huge variety of birds and other animals. 

The Menindee Lakes is an important tourist and recreational asset for the community and economy of the far west of NSW.

Mass fish kills, dry river beds, poor water quality and a lack of water all underline the need to revive the Darling-Baaka River. De-commissioning Menindee Lakes will not revive the river, and may lead to more extraction and floodplain harvesting upstream.  The fundamental problem of the over-extraction of water in the Northern Basin must be addressed to revive the Darling-Baaka River and the communities and environment along its course.

We urge the members of the NSW Parliament to reject plans for reconfigure the Menindee Lakes.