Paroo River
Encyclopedia
The Paroo River is a river in Eastern Australia and is often considered to be major tributary of the Darling River
in eastern Australia
, although its flow generally dissipates before it reaches the Darling. It is the last remaining free-flowing river in the northern part of the Murray-Darling Basin
.
The river has begins in the gorge country of western Queensland
, meanders south and spreads into the vast floodplains of New South Wales
, eventually reaching the Paroo overflow lakes. Its overall length is about 600 km.
and the Australian Painted Snipe
. They lie within the Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area
, identified as such by BirdLife International
because of its importance, when conditions are suitable, for large numbers of waterbirds.
On 20 September 2007, the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull
, announced that the Australian government was adding the Paroo River Wetlands to those listed under the Ramsar Convention
as wetlands of international importance, making them Australia's 65th Ramsar site.
Darling River
The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, measuring from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at Wentworth, New South Wales. Including its longest contiguous tributaries it is long, making it the longest river system in Australia.The...
in eastern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, although its flow generally dissipates before it reaches the Darling. It is the last remaining free-flowing river in the northern part of the Murray-Darling Basin
Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling basin is a large geographical area in the interior of southeastern Australia, whose name is derived from its two major rivers, the Murray River and the Darling River. It drains one-seventh of the Australian land mass, and is currently by far the most significant agricultural...
.
The river has begins in the gorge country of western Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, meanders south and spreads into the vast floodplains of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, eventually reaching the Paroo overflow lakes. Its overall length is about 600 km.
Wetlands
The Paroo River wetlands in north-western New South Wales are important for threatened species such as the Freckled DuckFreckled Duck
The Freckled Duck is a moderately large, broad-bodied duck native to southern Australia. The duck is protected by law...
and the Australian Painted Snipe
Australian Painted Snipe
The Australian Painted Snipe is a medium-sized, long-billed, distinctively patterned wader.-Taxonomy:The distinctiveness of the Australian Painted-snipe was recognised by John Gould in 1838 when he described and named it Rostratula australis. However, it was subsequently lumped with the Greater...
. They lie within the Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area
Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area
The Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area is a 7874 km2 site comprising the floodplain and the associated wetlands of the Paroo River in north-western New South Wales and south-western Queensland, Australia...
, identified as such by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
because of its importance, when conditions are suitable, for large numbers of waterbirds.
On 20 September 2007, the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Bligh Turnbull is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2004, and was Leader of the Opposition and parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party from 16 September 2008 to 1 December 2009.Turnbull has represented the Division...
, announced that the Australian government was adding the Paroo River Wetlands to those listed under the Ramsar Convention
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...
as wetlands of international importance, making them Australia's 65th Ramsar site.