Criteria for assessing options for Commonwealth environmental water use
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
The use of Commonwealth environmental water must be consistent with the requirements of the Water Act 2007 (relevant functions are outlined in sec 105). This includes a requirement that the environmental water holdings be managed in accordance with the environmental watering plan (part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan).
A Framework for determining Commonwealth environmental water use has been prepared in consultation with delivery partners, interested stakeholders/experts and with our Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Panel.
The framework sets out:
- the role and obligations of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, as established by the Water Act 2007 and Basin Plan
- the overall objectives and scope of Commonwealth water use, including how the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office will contribute to the Basin Plan's environmental watering objectives
- how watering options are developed and assessed based on a set of criteria and in accordance with the Basin Plan's 'Principles to be applied in environmental watering'
- how watering actions are implemented and monitored.
Proposed watering actions will need to be supported by evidence and be consistent with the approach set out in the framework. We will apply adaptive management to continually improve the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental water use and we will consider any opportunity to diversify our range of water uses as knowledge and modelling improves.
Commonwealth environmental water is being acquired to supplement existing flows. Proposals for use of the water will not be agreed if this use substitutes for other water, including historical system operations (e.g. provision of water for conveyance, stock and domestic, or planned environmental water).
Proposals are assessed against the following criteria:
1. The ecological values of the targeted asset(s)
Issues considered include:
- 1.1 the presence of threatened species and ecological communities, and listed migratory species; and
- 1.2 the ecological and conservation values of the asset(s) including those recognised by international agreements.
2. The expected outcomes from the proposed watering action
Issues considered include:
- 2.1 the extent to which the watering action will contribute to the achievement of Basin annual environmental watering priorities;
- 2.2 how well defined and realistic the expected ecological outcomes are for the proposed watering action;
- 2.3 the consistency of the watering action and expected outcomes with the relevant water resource availability scenario;
- 2.4 the current health of the asset(s);
- 2.5 the improvement in health of the asset(s) as well as connected system benefits, expected from the watering action;
- 2.6 the change in the health of the asset(s) expected if environmental water is not provided including with regard to the long-term environmental water requirements of the asset(s) relative to recent hydrological conditions; and
- 2.7 the potential ancillary social, cultural and economic benefits from undertaking the watering action.
3. The potential risks of the proposed watering action
Issues considered include:
- 3.1 how thoroughly the potential risks have been assessed for the proposed watering, including with regard to the Basin Plan's water quality and salinity targets for managing water flows;
- 3.2 the adequacy of measures proposed to minimise these risks; and
- 3.3 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 considered include:
- 4.1 the feasibility of delivering environmental water to the targeted asset(s) over the long-term;
- 4.2 the adequacy of long-term management and delivery arrangements;
- 4.3 the existence of complementary natural resource management activities supporting the long-term management arrangements, including those that improve water quality; and
- 4.4 the effectiveness of monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements for the watering activity including clear links to the defined expected outcomes.
5. The cost, both in water and other resources, and operational feasibility of undertaking the proposed watering action
Issues considered include:
- 5.1 the amount of Commonwealth water and resources needed, including relative to the contribution of the State and delivery partner to (i) the watering action and (ii) subsequent monitoring of actions and outcomes;
- 5.2 the arrangements for the delivery of water to the targetedasset(s), including the potential for transmission losses and the adequate accounting of flows;
- 5.3 opportunity to supplement natural flows or coordinate with other water releases (including consumptive and other environmental water); and
- 5.4 the operational feasibility of undertaking the watering action (e.g. channel capacity, infrastructure constraints, third party impacts etc.).