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NSW Algal Information

Barwon Regional Algal Coordinating Committee

The Barwon RACC coordinates responses to, and monitoring of, algal events in water bodies within the Namoi, Gwydir and Macintyre catchments.

The agency managing the algal affected water body is responsible for monitoring algal levels, preparing emergency plans, issuing algal warnings and communicating to water users. When an algal bloom affects a waterbody that is managed by more than one agency, the response to the bloom is coordinated by the RACC.

The Barwon RACC is composed of representatives from state and local government and the community. The lead agency, providing chair and secretariat roles is the NSW Department of Water and Energy. Other agencies include the NSW Public Health Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, Total Catchment Management and the District Emergency Management Officer of the NSW Police Service.

The Barwon RACC coordinates a weekly blue-green algae report for the region during the summer months. Information on blue–green algal blooms in recreational waters is also distributed regularly through the region’s media.

Current Algal Blooms in the Barwon Region

Algal alert - 1 August 2008 (PDF 29.4KB)
Algal alert - 11 April 2008 (PDF 30KB)