For the first time in more than 10 years, a creek stretching 100km across far west New South Wales is full of water.
Talyawalka Creek runs from Wilcannia to Menindee, adjacent to the Darling-Barka River.
Floodwaters from heavy falls in northern NSW and south-eastern Queensland last year have gradually moved downstream, causing the creek to flow again — much to the delight of locals.
"Very exciting ... it flowed in '98 and it flowed again in 2011-12," said Darren Collins from Viewmont Station near Menindee.
While it's a moderate inconvenience for Mr Collins to move his 7,000 head of sheep, with a third of his property cut off by water, it's an ideal problem to have in the arid region.
Wildlife thriving
Other locals like Kate McBride, who grew up on the banks of the Darling-Barka, can't believe the contrast from 2019, when the river was almost completely dry.
"It's amazing what a bit of water over that grey country along the Darling-Barka can do," she said.
Some areas missed out
According to Ms McBride, there is still a lot of healing to be done in areas downstream of Menindee which have not received water on their floodplains.
This is due in part to current legislation by Water New South Wales, preventing them from releasing more than 18,000 megalitres of water per day from the Menindee Lakes – as it would endanger homes.
"We need to remember that our environment's had a really tough few years," Ms McBride said.
"[The creeks] haven't had a drink for over a decade, and it's going to take a lot more water to actually bring them back to life.
