MURRAY-DARLING BASIN COMMISSION – FEBRUARY E-LETTER NO 27

Welcome to the Murray-DarlingBasin monthly e-letter with reports of happenings across the Basin. Contributions are welcome. Please send items (no more than 150 words) to the editor at leone@netspeed.com.auAn online html version is available at: http://www.mdbc.gov.au/commcentre/elist/eletter/eletter_menu.htmlPlease feel free to pass this e-letter along to anybody who might be interested.  To subscribe online go to http://www.mdbc.gov.au/commcentre/elist/form.htm

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(See also The Living Murray website at http://www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au)

In this issue:

• Rain brings long awaited relief to Upper Darling
• Water releases from Dartmouth Dam reduced
• Australia celebrates World Wetlands Day
• List of Australian Ramsar wetland sites rises to 64
• MDBC CE to open ‘momentum building’ water summit
• Entries in $30,000 salinity solution close Friday 5 march
• Excitement as more species climb new fish ladder
• MDBC native fish rehabilitation programs under way
• Major works make River Murray Structures safer
• MDBC/IAA photo competition promotes good water use
• Australia Day honour for MDBC CE
• Hand-ons approach for catchment modelling course
• New 'citizen science toolbox' links rural communities
• How to teach environmental skills

   

RAIN BRINGS LONG AWAITED RELIEF TO UPPER DARLING
After years of drought in many areas of the Darling River System heavy rainfall has produced significant rises in stream flows across much of the catchment, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing flood warnings in some areas.River Murray Waterreports that preliminary indications from the NSW Department of Infrastructure and Natural Resources are that the increased flows in transit are relatively low compared with the capacity of MenindeeLakes.The flows will not be enough to raise the storage volume to a level where MDBC resources would again become available (when the storage next exceeds 640 GL).  However, the increased storage anticipated in MenindeeLakes will provide some relief to local and regional communities which draw supplies from the lakes.

Further details will be provided in coming weeks as more information becomes available.

Preliminary predictions by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Darling River at Bourke indicate a forecast peak level near minor flood level (9.0 m gauge height, or about 32 000 ML/day) on about 19 February.  At most locations in the Darling system, the river peaks have been, or are expected to be, short lived, and consequently the flood water volumes are relatively small.

In anticipation of increased inflows to MenindeeLakes over coming weeks, the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources recently re-commenced release from MenindeeLakes to the lower Darling aimed at improving water quality.

Flow downstream of MenindeeLakes at Weir 32 is currently about 200 ML/day, and is being kept under review by NSW until control of release next reverts to MDBC when storage next exceeds 640 GL.

For more informationwww.dipnr.nsw.gov.au or to www.mdbc.gov.au/river_murray/river_info/river_info.html

WATER RELEASES FROM DARTMOUTH DAM CEASE
River Murray Water announced that transfer of water from Dartmouth Reservoir to Hume Reservoir had become unnecessary in mid-January and flow was retuned to minimum rates.Good inflows to Hume Reservoir over December and January, and reduced irrigation demands due to rainfall and cooler conditions, resulted in storage in Hume Reservoir falling slower than expected.Storage in Hume reservoir in mid-January was 1670 GL (or 55% of capacity) compared to the same time last year when the volume in storage was 176 GL (or 6% of capacity). In addition, NSW State Water has advised that NSW irrigation usage over the rest of this season will be less than earlier forecasts.

This meant that the volume in Hume Reservoir, combined with natural inflows and releases from the Snowy Mountains Scheme over the coming months, would most likely be enough to supply downstream requirements for the rest of this season.

However, if extremely dry conditions prevail over the rest of the season, it may become necessary to resume transfers of water to Hume Reservoir to prevent levels falling too low. However, that likelihood is low.

For more information go to http://www.mdbc.gov.au/news_room/media_releases.html

AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES WORLD WETLANDS DAY
World Wetlands Day on 2 February will be celebrated around Australia with activities as diverse as seminars, nature walks and festivals.The theme this year “water for wetlands — water for life”.World Wetlands Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.

First celebrated in 1997, the Day gives government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups the opportunity to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

For a complete roundup of activities around Australia go to http://www.deh.gov.au/water/wetlands/day/index.html#calendar
 

NUMBER OF AUSTRALIAN RAMSAR WETLAND SITES RISES TO 64
The number of Australian wetland sites of international Importance under the Ramsar Convention grew to 64 in 2003, according to an editorial in the latest “Wetlands Australia” newsletter published by the Natural Heritage Trust.The latest addition to the list was the NSW Central Murray State Forests Ramsar site.The site includes the Millewa and Koondrook-PerricootaForests which mirror the BarmahForest and Gunbower Forest Ramsar sites on the Victorian side of the River Murray.

These sites form the largest complex of tree-dominated floodplain wetlands in Southern Australia.

The MDBC has a strong interest in the Basin’s wetlands as a large number of Australia’s nationally important wetlands lie within the Basin.In November last year, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council announced that The Living Murray initiative’s “first step” decision will focus on achieving significant environmental benefits for the following six key ecological sites:

• Barmah - MillewaForest;
• Gunbower and Perricoota-KoondrookForests;
• The HattahLakes;
• Chowilla Floodplain (including Lindsay-Wallpolla);
• The Murray Mouth, Coorong and LowerLakes; and
• The River Murray channel.

The Commission’s current efforts, together with those of the Basin’s communities, natural resource management and research agencies all contribute to the more sustainable management of these crucial assets.

For more informationon “Wetlands Australia - National Wetlands Update 2004” phone (02) 6274 1111

MDBC CE TO OPEN ‘MOMENTUM BUILDING’ WATER SUMMIT
Murray-Darling Basin Commission Chief Executive Don Blackmore will open the Australian Water Summit to be held on 25-27 February in Melbourne.Organisers say the Summit will build on the momentum for water reform to be implemented across Australia.They say the drive and commitment shown by many political and non-political leaders in this process will see Australia become a world leader in sustainable water management.

In August 2003, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed there was a pressing need to refresh its 1994 water reform agenda to increase the productivity and efficiency of water use, to sustain rural and urban communities and to ensure the health of river and groundwater systems.

Organisers say the Summithas been developed with the help of key industry advisors to make it comprehensive and relevant to government, water companies, regional water authorities, large water users, research organisations and key stakeholders across the water industry.

Highlights will cover:

• an update of the COAG reform process and the Victorian Green Paper;
• what trading will mean for the water industry, financiers and large water users;
• where investment can be made to get the best results for water conservation;
• debate on regulation of the industry with Australia’s head regulators at an exclusive Round Table;
• an overview of new technologies for reuse from leaders of Australia’s water companies;
• evaluation of concerns about risk management, public health and water quality;
• insights into the future of Australia’s water supply from Australia’s climate experts;
• new ways to approach demand management and policing/monitoring of water use; and
• discussion on the merits of alternate water supply options for Australia.

• treatment technologies and project delivery systems for water reuse projects; “Sink or swim”;
• stakeholder communication; and
• preparing for a price and service review.

For more information contact Jay Nair on (02) 9923 5082 or email jnair@iir.com.au or visit the website at www.iir.com.au/conferences/

ENTRIES IN $30,000 SALINITY SOLUTION CLOSE FRIDAY 5 MARCH
Entries close on Friday 5 March for the for the challenge to win the 2004 Engineers Australia National Salinity Prize of $30,000 to be awarded in May 2004.The award has the support and sponsorship of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality

The award is open to individuals, community-based groups or companies, who have already developed and implemented an innovative technology or methodology or have a working prototype to address an aspect of the current salinity problem.

Aspects include the impacts on productive farmland, river water quality, terrestrial ecosystems, cultural heritage and the built infrastructure.

Entries must have provable outcomes for widespread applications and must include an identifiable engineering component that may include good practice design and innovation.  There is one open category for all the entrants.

Full details for entering the prize are available at the Engineers Australia website www.ieaust.org.au .

Further Information contact John Bright  Phone: 0407 234 490    Email: jbright@ieaust.org.au

EXCITEMENT AS MORE SPECIES CLIMB NEW FISH LADDER
Scientists counted more than 1,500 fish moving up the innovative fish ladder recently installed at Lock 8 on the River Murray near the South Australian border during its first week of operation.The fishways will help declining or threatened native fish populations resume their natural migration patterns upstream to breed or feed.“The exciting thing was that nine different species of fish were using the fishway, and seven of these were native fish including Golden perch, Bony bream, and Australian smelt,” said Jim Barrett, MDBC’s Native Fish Strategy manager.

The Lock 8 fishway is the first fishway to be built as part of the Native Fish Strategy established by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council to provide 2,300 kilometres of fish passage from the sea to Hume Dam over five years at a cost of $25 million.

“Many native fish need to move widely through the river systems of the Basin,” Mr Barrett said.  “Some species such as Golden perch can migrate over thousands of kilometres. Man-made barriers such as dams have greatly affected survival and distribution of native fish species in the Basin.”

Scientists from four states will be involved in monitoring the fishway over a number of seasons and years to get a clear picture of its success in rehabilitating native fish populations.

For more information contact: Jim Barrett on (02) 6279 0154, (jim.barrett@mdbc.gov.au) or visit the websiteat www.mdbc.gov.au/news_room/media_releases.html

MDBC NATIVE FISH REHABILITATION PROGRAMS UNDER WAY
The MDBC’s Native Fish Strategy  has several rehabilitation programs under way across the Basin and others are imminent or proposed.These programs include:

• provision of environmental flows;
• riparian revegetation;
• fishway construction and the removal of some barriers to fish migration;
• alleviation of coldwater pollution below dams;
• diversion of saline water;
• re-snagging; and
• investigation into management of alien species such as carp.

• the decline of native fish populations in the Basin has been caused by about eight threatening processes, not just one;
• according to an expert panel report, in order to achieve the Strategy’s overall goal (rehabilitation of native fish populations to 60% of pre-European condition), at least several key management interventions need to occur simultaneously – in other words,  rehabilitation programs need to be undertaken in an integrated and holistic manner;
• rehabilitation should be based on an ecosystem management, with emphasis on ecological communities rather than single species; and
• the Demonstration Reaches concept is a positive way to engage the public and learn from practical examples of rehabilitation.

MAJOR WORKS MAKE RIVER MURRAY STRUCTURES SAFER
Safer weir and navigation lock structures along the River Murray  - that’s the aim of  major construction and modification works being carried out by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission together with SA Water Corporation and  State Water NSW.The modifications include new fishways at weirs 1 to 11 and 15 from Blanchetown to Euston and major construction work on the weirs themselves.The structures were built between 1922 and 1935 to manage the river’s water resources, to provide navigation conditions for paddle steamers and other vessels and to provide water for irrigation and town supply during periods of low flows.

Today, the locks and weirs play an important role in water supply, tourism and recreation in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The locks and weirs continue to be maintained and operated to serve the recreational and commercial boating industry.

Over the years, parts of the weirs such as concrete stoplogs, crane, lock gates, hydraulics and controls for lock gates have been replaced in an ongoing maintenance program.

The new upgrades will bring significant occupational, health and safety benefits for lock operators and improve the structural integrity of the weirs.

The modifications will improve the flexibility of operating the weirs. For example, during periods of high water flow, it will be possible to remove and replace the weirs’ so-called “navigable pass” using the existing lock cranes and will eliminate the need for human divers.

The new upgrades will allow operators to meet the needs of environmental flow requirements and will generally cut maintenance costs.

Local economies will benefit through the supply of construction materials and jobs created during the construction period.

For more information and regularly updated brochures on the progress of the works go to
www.mdbc.gov.au/river_murray/running_the_river/projects/lock_weir_upgrade_menu.html

MDBC/IAA PHOTO COMPETITION PROMOTES GOOD WATER USE
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the Irrigation Association of Australia are sponsoring a competition to encourage creative, quality photography of irrigation and water in the Australian environment.Entries should help promote the sustainable use of water.Awards are in three categories:

• people and irrigation;
• the environment/landscape and irrigation; and
• efficient irrigation water use.

For more information contact Jolyon Burnett, phone 02 9476 0142, email Jolyon.burnett@irrigation.org.au

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOUR FOR MDBC CE
MDBC Chief Executive Don Blackmore was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours list.He received the AM for “services to the environment especially through the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and through the development of sustainable water management practices.”Mr Blackmore recently announced his retirement and will stand down from his position in late March.

He has been with MDBC for more than 20-years, 14 of which were spent at the helm of the Basin’s peak natural resource management agency.

Currently Deputy Chair of the Co-operative Research Centre for Plant Based Solutions to Dryland Salinity and Chairman of the Research Committee, Mr Blackmore was also a Commissioner on the World Commission for Dams, the organisation with a mandate to review development effectiveness of large dams and criteria for future investment in dams.

Mr Blackmore was also Deputy Chair of the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation from 1990 to 1999, became a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia in 1995 and a Fellow of the Academy of Engineering and Technological Sciences in 1998.

In May 2000 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) by La Trobe University.

For more information contact:Lawrie Kirk, Manager Communications, Murray-Darling Basin Commission Email:lawrie.kirk@mdbc.gov.au

HANDS-ON APPROACH FOR CATCHMENT MODELLING COURSE
The Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology will present a range of “hands-on” modelling software workshops at the CatchmentModellingSchool to be held in Melbourne 9-20 FebruaryThe courses will train participants to use some of the latest hydrologic and related models.The school comprises 35 workshops including:

• Catchment modelling frameworks
• Climate variability models
• Environmental flows
• Rainfall-runoff modelling
• River engineering
• Urban hydrology
• River system and water allocation modelling
• Water quality modelling
• Modelling support tools

NEW CITIZEN SCIENCE TOOLBOX LINKS RURAL COMMUNITIES
Do you need to communicate with important stakeholders, showcase a product, engage the community or develop an action plan?

A new free, online service designed by an organisation specialising in decision-making tools will help you design your strategies.

The Coastal CRC’s new website called the “Citizen Science Toolbox” is a free resource of principles and strategies which helps communities, individuals, scientists and researches to tailor their communication and engagement strategies to fit unique issues and stakeholders.

The service begins by allowing visitors to choose the purpose of their strategy or campaign, their budget, the number of people they want to target, their time frame and other considerations.  It then suggests a list of optional activities, events and strategies.

The designers say the service aims to enhance meaningful stakeholder involvement in decision-making. It’s aimed at communities, scientists and decision-makers.

The Toolbox includes:

• more than 60 community involvement tools, from public meetings to consensus conferences;
• case studies of the uses of various tools and the reflections of stakeholders who participated;
• an annotated bibliography of over 500 citizen science references; and
• theoretical discussions of citizen science issues.

LEARNING HOW TO TEACH ENVIRONMENTAL SKILLS
The third annual free Schools for the Environment Forum will teach skills to incorporate environmental education into the classroom and the importance of incorporating it into the curriculum.Presented by Greening Australia,  the forum will be held on 18 February at MelbourneUniversity’s, Copland Theatre.Participants will be able to network with peers, providers and experts in environmental education and hear about new government directions in sustainable environmental education.

Each participant will get an education kit, revised for 2004 with eight complete learning modules. The kit also includes a new activity calendar with tips and ideas for school biodiversity projects.

Participants will also be able to learn how to win a share of $45,000 of funding for their school’s revegetation project in 2004.

For more information email training@gavic.org.au or visit the website at www.greeningaustralia.org.au.

ends