Chowilla Floodplain and Lindsay–Wallpolla Islands

River red gums on the bank of Horseshoe Lagoon

River red gums on the bank of Horseshoe Lagoon
Photo: Sandra Volk

One of the most significant floodplain ecosystems in semi-arid Australia

The Chowilla Floodplain covers 17,700 hectares across three states: South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. It is remote from many of the impacts of irrigation and other development, and so much of its natural character has been preserved.

The Lindsay, Wallpolla and Mulcra Islands and their floodplains cover almost 20,000 hectares. They support many threatened plants and animals and a number of native fish species.

The Living Murray icon site ecological objectives

Ecological objectives have been set for Chowilla Floodplain and Lindsay, Wallpolla and Mulcra islands. The objectives for the Chowilla Floodplain are to maintain high biodiversity values, as indicated by the maintenance of:

high-value wetlands
the current area of river red gum forest
at least 20% of the original area of black box vegetation.

The vision for Lindsay–Wallpolla (including Mulcra) Islands is to maintain and restore a mosaic of healthy floodplain communities which will ensure that native species survive and flourish throughout the site. Ecological objectives for this component of the icon site are to:

increase the diversity, extent and abundance of wetland vegetation
increase abundance, diversity and extent of distribution of native fish
provide habitat for a range of waterbirds, including migratory species and colonial nesters.

New environmental water management plans are being developed, which will replace the 2006–07 environmental management plan for Chowilla Floodplain and Lindsay–Wallpolla Islands (including Mulcra).