Water flows to parched NSW wetlands could be turned back on within weeks as drought fears loom

Dried-up wetlands in the Gwydir region where broad-shelled turtles were left to die after Water NSW abruptly stopped environmental flows to the area Photograph: Supplied.

Water flows to parched New South Wales wetlands where an urgent rescue mission to save dying wildlife unfolded are a step closer to resuming after legislation passed the state parliament’s upper house.

The water minister, Rose Jackson, told the parliament on Thursday night the impact of a halt to environmental flows in the internationally significant Gwydir region had been “devastating” as she introduced legislative amendments she said would allow flows to resume.