Annual Water Use Options 2012-13: Mid-Murray River - Fact sheet
Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
September 2012
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Mid-Murray region annual water use options 2012-13
This factsheet provides an overview of Mid-Murray region water use options for 2012-13. More detail about these options is on Annual Water Use Options 2012-13: Mid-Murray region.
The mid-Murray region covers the area downstream of Hume Dam in Victoria to the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers at Wentworth in NSW. It also includes the Edward-Wakool River system located in southern NSW.
Water availability for the mid-Murray region in 2012-13
The mid-Murray region, together with the lower Murray River valley, Northern Victorian Rivers and Murrumbidgee River catchment, form the southern connected basin. These systems are not managed in isolation from each other due to their high degree of connectivity. Complementary water use options are developed in these catchments to achieve multiple benefits across the southern connected basin.
Up to 1,030 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water will be available for use across the southern connected basin during 2012-13. Information about the overall management of the Commonwealth environmental water holdings including options for carry over and trade, can be found in the Portfolio management statement at Portfolio Management Statement 2012-13: Mid-Murray Region
Why is environmental water required in the mid-Murray region?
The mid-Murray River region requires environmental water to protect and restore its rivers, wetlands, and floodplains. Environmental water provides more natural flow patterns to the Murray-Darling Basin river system, this in turn contributes to the wellbeing of regional communities who depend on sustainable water management to support healthy rivers, strong communities and productive economies.
The region includes wetlands of international importance (for example, Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes, Kerang Wetlands, and Gunbower Forests) and Australia's largest river red gum forest (Barmah- Millewa Forest). The region also provides breeding sites for waterbirds including ibis and egrets, as well as habitat for many types of migratory birds. Native fish, including Golden perch, Trout cod and Flat-headed galaxias, and other animals such as insects, frogs, reptiles and the Murray crayfish also depend on a healthy mid-Murray River region for their survival. River red gum forests, lignum swamps and black box woodlands are also important plant communities in this region.
Commonwealth environmental watering in 2012- 13 also aims to build on the benefits of watering from previous years. Details about Commonwealth environmental watering events and outcomes from previous years can be found in our Annual reports and Outcomes reports at: publication section.
What do we want to achieve in 2012-13?
While the last two years have seen high flows through the mid-Murray, there are important uses for Commonwealth environmental water in this region in 2012-13. The aim of Commonwealth environmental water use this year is to support the breeding and survival of native plants and animals. It also will contribute to improving the health of the waterways, floodplains and wetlands in which these plants and animals live and their ability to cope with major changes in environmental conditions such as droughts or floods.
The location of this region supports achieving the best possible range of environmental benefits across multiple sites through close work with staff from state agencies, industry and landowners taking into account issues such as operational constraints and local environmental conditions.
Some options for environmental water use in the mid-Murray valley
Examples of proposed watering options in the mid- Murray region include providing flows in:
- the Edward-Wakool River system to promote breeding and survival of native fish.
- the Jimaringle-Cockran-Gwynnes Creek system to improve water quality, habitat, and the health of fringing native plants.
- Hattah Lakes is to improve the health of wetland and river red gum communities, and maintain habitat for native fish.
How were the environmental water use options developed?
A range of annual water use options has been developed for each catchment where the Commonwealth holds environmental water. All options have been developed based on advice from stakeholders including the Commonwealth's Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Panel, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, the NSW Murray Lower Darling Environmental Water Advisory Group, Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries NSW), Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Murray Catchment Management Authority, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Mallee Catchment Management Authority and the Murray- Darling Basin Authority.
Each water use option contributes to meeting the overall environmental objectives of the Proposed Basin Plan - A revised draft, released on 28 May 2012. The options do not represent a commitment for water use. Decisions on Commonwealth environmental water use will be made throughout the year after an assessment of the seasonal, operational and management conditions at the time. Water use planning and operations will also be updated once the Basin Plan is made.
How can you be involved?
Local groups, state governments and others are working with us to manage Commonwealth environmental water by giving advice on where it can be best used, and helping to deliver the water and monitor outcomes. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office welcomes information from the community on how environmental water can best be managed including further suggestions on the water use options.
To contact us
please call 1800 218 478
or send an email to: ewater@environment.gov.au.
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For further information on the management and use of Commonwealth environmental water please visit publication section
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