Pip Rasenberg, who owns part of the wetlands, is overjoyed to see them full. It’s a sight she wasn’t sure she’d ever see again after a controversial drain was approved in June.

“Sadly everyone in the upper south-east thinks machines can do everything; if they were full last year perhaps things would be different,” Ms Rasenberg said.

The Bald Hill drain was the last of the complex drain system in the south east which drains the high water table, reducing the salinity of the water and improving its quality for farming. It is also part of a scheme to re-establish the natural flows through the south-east flood plains to the Coorong.

The drains have changed the south-east from what was once more than half swampland in wet season to a farming haven, but with the water draining out to sea only 6 per cent of the natural wetlands are intact.

Construction of the Bald Hill drain is due to start next month, and Ms Rasenberg is fearful this could mean the end for the wetlands.

She is concerned that part of the drain, meant to be a floodway, is now a deep drain which would further lower the water table.

“It’s soul-destroying,” she said. “This is the most beautiful time with all of the birds and frogs and the tortoises are going crazy. It’s a travesty that the water will now be drained away.”

Ms Rasenberg has been close to giving up her fight to get water for the wetlands, one of the last pristine spaces in the south-east, but now has renewed enthusiasm.

She says water which is currently flowing out to sea could be diverted to flow into the wetlands, securing more fresh water, and is putting faith in a promise made to her by Environment Minister Jay Weatherill.

"In July I confirmed that the Government would commence construction of the Bald Hill drain and floodways to redirect fresh water from the lower south-east," Mr Weatherill said.

“The Bald Hill drain and floodways will be designed to optimise the delivery of fresh water to the wetlands before it makes its way naturally to the Coorong.”

Mr Weatherill said further options to redirect surface water to the upper south-east wetlands were being explored.