Lake Eyre’s biggest flood in nearly 50 years | 7.30

[Music] it's one of Australia's most spectacular sights the rare greening of our red central deserts it's a miracle of nature and nothing short of a miracle that in this thirsty country these rivers are still largely free to run their course [Music] we as Australians need to really really appreciate what we have in the way of natural heritage the lakeya basin is one of the largest dryland river systems on the planet [Music] it covers one-sixth of Australia across four states and territories and is fed by three major river systems the Georgina Diamantina and Cooper the shining jewel more than 1000 kilometers downstream is the vast usually dry salt pans of lake air also known by its indigenous name Kutty Tunde unlike the murray-darling basin this system is not regulated there's no major irrigation diversions or dams no water security but the region's 60,000 residents fight to keep it that way and 7:30 took a trip through the basin to find out why [Music] William Creek is a tiny bustling tourist hub 60 kilometers from Lake Eyre it's pretty much owned and run by Trevor right it's a multi schooled business where you start off doing tire repairs you're the public into the hotel you're in charge of the water supply and occasionally you get the player apprentice is fantastic Trevor visited the Lake Eyre basin 30 years ago and was hooked I just find it totally engaging I think it's unique I really passionate about people coming out and seeing it and today he's taking 7:30 for a spin over the lake and up through the basin to see the bird life come on top of the game and actually have the whole brigetta right itself totally freshener it's been years since Trevor has seen so much water here this is one of the world's most variable river systems so protecting flows when they come is paramount with the Laker base without having our first stop is calorie an organic cattle station on Warburton Creek in South Australia the creek is usually bone-dry but is now a fully fledged river with a yachting regatta thanks to the Queensland floods it means the world to us it's a complete reversal we would have sold out our cattle by now on a fairly severe destock plan and now we've got a resource plan thing you know it's complete changes game changes absolutely crazier Craig Oldfield couldn't be happier just like magic add water and a green grass Kaori has supported the old fields for eight decades but after years of on-again off-again drought the future of the families living here had been looking dodgy I know we're right for to you and we can make this work but this is how most of the country out here still looks the flood covered only one-fifth of calories 5000 square kilometers some of the neighbors without river frontage didn't get even a trickle Dave bill has brought his daughter's hood to calorie for a spell I've been a very hot summer and that really really knocked our cattle around between 50 and 60 and we had that prevent going weeks these people have got a flat and they've been very generous to help us it's a lifeline for the Belles and otherwise have to send their cattle to slaughter Craig says the idea of harvesting flood water to help survive the dry times is enticing but not worth jeopardizing the system the natural cycle of the system is probably enough for me at this point a bit more often would be nice but you late there we go next door to carry is kalamoon a wildlife sanctuary a haven for nearly 250 species of mammals birds and reptiles the biggest thing is keeping young Farrell's in check mark McClaren manages the sanctuary for the Australian wildlife Conservancy which is working to restore the ecosystem and natural waterways you know it's really good to see this going paddling in the desert is always going to be special this is a fullest of ever seen it but it's not just the size of the flood which has allowed this ephemeral lake on Callum owner to feel this lake is a perfect example of what happens when lakeya bass and rivers are allowed to run their course in previous floods it hasn't filled because water was diverted to protect a road but with that barrier now gone the results well you can see for yourself without this system and the process is that it has in place now it won't be just the birds of kalamoon and be affected it would be the birds from all over Australia so they can't come here to breed really going to go [Music] the Laker Basin has always been an important breeding ground for water birds and fish but has become more vital with the murray-darling z' decline the lesson here is you need these rivers to run free run unregulated and the way they are so Dom this looks amazing it is as this water dries back this because millions of millions more don Rowlands is the chief Ranger for mandatory National Park in the Simpson Desert west of birdsville while the basins rivers are healthy now he says there's no room for complacency absolutely not in the people that live up and down these rivers we're there to support whatever we need to do to keep the rivers like they have floods are welcomed in the Lake Eyre basin but life's not all beer and skittles when they arrive and towns are cut off for weeks [Music] when we visit bhaduri it's an island in a sea stretching to the horizon courtesy of the rain dumped upstream by cyclone Trevor public and Jim Smith is used to flying in food and alcohol in a normal big flat like that where we usually cut off for three months he gets a government subsidy to bring in essential items which surprisingly doesn't include booze they say it's not an essential item but I think those people haven't been in bhaduri when we've run out there are no visitors in bhaduri when we leave but that will soon change as the water makes its way towards the lake as the tourists follow the birds in and the cycle of life boom and bust starts again we're bloody lucky because we've got this system that works well as fantastic for the environment it's great for people at the same time and it causes a unique event to occur a proves that can be done properly and there's some fantastic outcomes [Music] hi I'm Leigh sales thanks for watching this story if you'd like to watch more of 730 stories they are on the left of your screen and tap on the button below to subscribe and get the latest from ABC news

Channel: ABC News In-depth

Views: 774,040

Keywords: Australia, Lake Eyre, lake eyre filling up 2019, lake eyre filling 2019, lake eyre basin, flood, floods in australia, flooding, flooding rains, desert, wildlife, birds, breeding, nature, nature media, Murray Darling, murray darling basin, Queensland, South Australia, environment, drought, cyclone, abc, abc news, special flood, flood water, water birds, fauna, flora, vegetation, natural phenomenon

Id: NWy0P3b_c5s

Length: 9min 27sec (567 seconds)

Published: Thu May 09 2019