Criteria for assessing 2010-11 environmental watering actions
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
In undertaking its activities, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) is required to act consistently with the requirements of the Water Act 2007 (Cwlth) (the Act). The relevant functions are outlined in s. 105. This includes a requirement that the environmental water holdings be managed in accordance with the environmental watering plan of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). Close consultation is occurring with the MDBA to ensure that use of Commonwealth water is consistent with the emerging objectives of the environmental watering plan that is currently being developed.
A long-term framework for the prioritisation of environmental water allocations has been prepared in consultation with delivery partners, interested stakeholders and experts, and the Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Committee.
The framework includes ecological objectives that will change under the different water availability scenarios (extreme dry, dry, median, wet). Proposed watering actions will need to be supported by available evidence, and be consistent with current water availability scenarios and the framework.
Commonwealth environmental water is being acquired to supplement existing flows. Proposals for use of the water will not be agreed to if this use substitutes for other water uses, including historical system operations (e.g. provision of water for conveyance, stock and domestic, or planned environmental water).
Through adaptive management processes, the CEWH will consider any opportunities for a more informed and diverse range of water uses as knowledge and modelling. All 2010-11 proposals will be assessed against the criteria listed here.
1. The ecological significance of the asset(s)
Issues to be considered:
- the presence of threatened species and ecological communities, and listed migratory species, and
- ecological and conservation values of the asset(s), including those recognised by international agreements.
2. The expected ecological outcomes from the proposed watering action
Issues to be considered:
- how well defined and realistic the objectives are for the proposed watering action
- the consistency of these objectives with the overall CEWH ecological objectives for the current forecast water availability scenario
- the current health of the asset(s)
- the improvement in health of the asset(s) expected from the watering action
- the Basin-wide significance of the ecological response from the watering action
- any secondary environmental effects expected to result from the watering action (e.g. connected system benefits), and
- the change in the health of the asset(s) expected if environmental water is not provided.
3. The potential risks of the proposed watering action at the site and at connected locations
Issues to be considered will include:
- how thoroughly the potential risks have been assessed for the proposed watering
- the adequacy of measures proposed to minimise these risks, and
- the likelihood and consequence of variance from the expected ecological outcome (including negative impacts on biota and water quality).
4. The long-term sustainability of the asset(s) including appropriate management arrangements
Issues to be considered will include:
- the adequacy of long-term management and delivery arrangements
- the existence of complementary natural resource management activities supporting the long-term management arrangements, including those that improve water quality, and
- the effectiveness of monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements for the watering activity including clear links to the defined objectives.
5. The cost-effectiveness and operational feasibility of undertaking the watering
Issues to be considered will include:
- the amount of Commonwealth water and resources needed, including relative to the contribution of the state and delivery partner the arrangements for the delivery of water to the asset(s), including the potential for transmission losses and the adequate accounting of flows
- opportunity to supplement natural flows or other water releases, and
- the operational feasibility of undertaking the watering action (e.g. channel capacity, infrastructure constraints, etc).