Federal bureaucrats have released 22 billion litres of water into swampland while NSW towns struggle through water restrictions.

Wyangala Dam’s low storage level has been plunged 20 per cent after the independent Commonwealth Environment Water Holder instructed water be released to help the parched river system.

Alan Jones says this move is unacceptable.

“This water could actually provide for four NSW towns which are completely out of water… and here we are protecting a swamp.

“Do you know what the public are saying? They’re ropeable, Matt! They’re ropeable.”

But federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan tells Alan they need to ensure balance.

“We’ve got to make sure it’s not all about one thing.

“We’ve got to protect the environment but we’ve got to obviously look after those doing it tough right now too.”

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Image: Getty/Willowpix