Murray-Darling Basin Commission – April 2004 E-letter No 29

Welcome to the Murray-Darling Basin  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.au

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

In this issue:

• MDB MINISTERS CLEAR PATH FOR LIVING MURRAY  IMPLEMENTATION
• UPDATE ON SALINITY RISES IN THE MURRAY
• MDBC HOSTS FIRST INDIGENOUS BASIN WIDE GATHERING
• $80 MILLION UPGRADE FOR HUME DAM
• NEW MDBC PUBLICATION EXPLAINS HOW RIVER MURRAY IS ‘MANAGED'
• NEW MDBC REPORT LISTS BEST LAND  MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
• IRRIGATION AUSTRALIA  2004 HIGHLIGHTS WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY
• URBAN VOLUNTEERS TO GUARD AGAINST MURRAY WATERWAYS ROT
• UN WATER CONFERENCE SUMMARIES NOW ONLINE
• YOUTH GOES DIGITAL IN DEBATE OVER MURRAY 'S FUTURE
• TACKLING THE BASIN'S URBAN WATER USERS' ISSUES
• FIRST QUEENSLAND YOUTH RIVER AND LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE
• CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE
• NEW WEBSITE EXPLORES BIOSALINITY SOLUTIONS

In a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day meeting in Sydney, the Council agreed that the Australian, State and ACT governments should identify approaches and priorities to “facilitate the expeditious implementation of the Living Murray Initiative” by 31 May.

This included an approach enabling the early initiation of projects creditable under the National Water Initiative.

The Council also reinforced the importance of providing communities with information on the First Step (announced last November) and agreed to develop a Community Consultation and Communication Strategy.

To advance the First Step of The Living Murray, the Council asked the Murray-Darling Basin Commission to:

• investigate and further progress development of infrastructure projects at a cost to the Commission of $1.2 million
• initiate a cooperative approach with the Snowy Joint Government Enterprise;
• actively develop alliances for provision of information pertaining to the National Water Initiative; and
• progress cross-border cooperation at the significant ecological assets to enable smooth implementation of the works and refinement of the ecological objectives and outcomes for each site.

The Council also:

• considered the potential impact of changes to land use and water availability on the flow and quality in Murray-Darling Rivers in future years;
• approved the Commission's budget for 2004-05 of $103.9 million;
• asked the Commission to start preparing a new three-year strategic plan to refine its priorities for knowledge generation and focus expenditure on agreed Basin wide issues; and
• approved the construction of the Loxton Salt Interception Scheme in South Australia to achieve a total estimated benefit of 16.5 EC units at Morgan under the Basin Salinity Management Strategy, at a total estimated construction cost of $21.4m

State and Federal media releases are available at:

• www.affa.gov.au/ministers/truss/releases/04/04072wt.html
• www.dpc.vic.gov.au/__4a256811001d78bf.nsf/WebByMinister?OpenView&Start=1&Count=300&Expand=31&RestrictToCategory=2004#31
• www.ministers.sa.gov.au/Minister/Mediaframe.asp?MinisterID=10
• dipnr.nsw.gov.au/mediarel/mr_toc_curr_mo.html

In a media release, River Murray Water (RMW) General Manager David Dreverman said effective mixing with fresh lake water had decreased the salinity levels forecast for downriver.

“Recent monitoring by South Australian authorities shows that the saline water has now spread from the southern end of the lake towards the west and north due to the effects of a clockwise circular water motion within the lake. Consequently, good mixing is taking place and the higher salinity water is steadily diluting,” Mr Dreverman said. “Latest readings indicate levels below 420 EC across the entire lake”.

South Australian Minister for the River Murray John Hill said: “This has been a very successful operation from the South Australian Government's point of view. We have been fortunate that this was a small volume of water which could be managed effectively through cooperation between South Australia, New South Wales and River Murray Water”.

Mr Dreverman said a small volume of higher salinity water had earlier passed over Lock 9 when its flow was near minimum.

“This water is now located about 6 km upstream of Lock 8 and is moving slowly.” Peak salinity levels are diminishing through mixing effects as this water passes downstream.

Mr Dreverman said the peak salinity reading at Lock 9 was about 800 EC, whilst the peak at Lock 8 is expected to be less than 700 EC in a few days time. Forecast salinity rises in the Murray in South Australia after mixing with the outflow from Lake Victoria have now been reviewed based on this latest salinity data.

Mr Dreverman said river salinity was not expected to rise above about 520 EC at Renmark and 750 EC at Morgan.

SA agencies and RMW would continue to closely monitor progress on this ‘salt event' and further announcements would be made.

For more information read the complete release at www.mdbc.gov.au/news_room/media_releases.html
 

MDBC hosts first Indigenous Basin Wide Gathering

The three day gathering is expected to attract up to 30 Indigenous Nations.

The MDBC has organised the event as part of its the Murray-Darling Basin Indigenous Action Plan which aims to establish meaningful partnerships between Indigenous peoples within the Basin.

The Plan will be built on a framework that recognizes the cultural diversity of Indigenous peoples within the Basin and the need for self-representation by Indigenous Nations, in natural resource management forums.

The Basin Wide Gathering will allow each part of the Indigenous Action Plan to gain the informed consent of Indigenous people.

It will facilitate the establishment of an agreed set of principles, processes and actions between Indigenous peoples and the MDBC on the way forward for the final phase of the MDB Indigenous Action Plan.

For further information, please contact Karen Demmery on 6279 0124 or karen.demmery@mdbc.gov.au or the MDBC's Integrated Catchment Management unit on 6279 0100.

$80 million upgrade for Hume Dam

The upgrade was officially unveiled on 18 March at a ceremony attended by representatives from local and state governments, local communities, agencies and firms involved in the works, as well as irrigators and landholders.

Cec Grant, an elder with the traditional owners of the land — the Wiradjuri people — performed a traditional welcome for the 120 guests.

The Australian Agriculture Minister, the Hon Warren Truss, who is also Chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council (MDBMC), officially opened the ceremony.

Remedial work to improve the safety of Hume Dam began in 1995, but assumed greater impetus in 1996 after a small amount of movement was detected in the dam wall.

The work involved widening and strengthening the base of Embankment 1 and building additional drainage systems downstream.  A flexible, 40-metre deep concrete wall was installed upstream to create a secondary seal.

The structural integrity of Embankments 1 and 2 was also boosted, and now meets the latest international safety standards for earthquake design.

The project made use of the latest construction and design expertise, with the result that the dam is now regarded as a showcase of international engineering excellence.

“In fact, the innovative nature of the work, particularly given the scale of the project, is one of its hallmarks,” Mr Truss said.  “I commend everyone involved in bringing it to a successful conclusion, particularly the dedicated efforts of engineers, catchment organisations, governments and local communities.”

For more information go towww.daff.gov.au/ministers/truss/releases/04/04060wt.html

New MDBC publication explains how River Murray is ‘managed'

The new brochure “Managing the Murray” also describes how River Murray Water engineers work closely each day with State authorities to regulate the river's flow and ensure reliable water supplies to farmers and urban dwellers along its entire length.

In its natural state, the River Murray was an unpredictable water source.  Severe droughts could reduce it to a chain of salt waterholes and sea water near its mouth could infiltrate up to 250 km upstream.

The River Murray Commission was formed in 1917 (superceded by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in 1988) to manage and share water resources of the River Murray between NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

The brochure also outlines measures being taken to redress some of the imbalances caused by river regulation and explains the importance of new “fishways” to help native fish and the significance of so called “environmental flows” to the health of the river system.

The brochure is aimed at a wide audience and is suitable for anyone interested in Australia's iconic River Murray.  It is ideal for teachers and students at all levels.

Copies of the brochure are available from the MDBC. Phone: 02 6279 0141,  fax: 02 6248 8053,  email: info@mdbc.gov.au
For more information on River Murray operations, contact River Murray Water on 02 6279 0100.
 

New MDBC Landmark report lists best land management practices

Now the MDBC has collected their practices and techniques and published them in “Current Recommended practice – A directory for Broadacre Dryland Agriculture”.

The publication is intended as a reference for:

• professionals in the field;
•  agricultural extension officers;
• rural educators;
• representatives of producer organisations and commodity councils;
• community groups;
• research constultants;
• and state agriculture and natural resource managers.

The directory describes current land management practices in areas as varied as agroforestry, animal condition management, business and financial planning, chemical contamination avoidance, crop rotation, soil conservation, tactical grazing and many others.

The publication however stresses that while these practices are recommended, applying any particular practice in any particular time and place would need more information and detailed consideration.

The publication is available from MDBC at phone: 02 6279 0141,  fax: 02 6248 8053,  email: info@mdbc.gov.au
For more information on the directory contact Sharon Davis on 02 6279 0100.
For more information on the Landmark project go to the website www.mdbc.gov.au/landmark/ or contact Charlotte Keller at charlotte.keller@mdbc.gov.au

Irrigation Australia 2004 highlights water use efficiency and sustainability

Oganisers say that the event, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre 11 - 13 May 2004 will also highlight how the industry has provided practical solutions to the continuing challenges facing irrigation.

Keynote speakers will provide overviews of environmental issues, commercial opportunities and practical realities.

Organisers say a highlight of the conference will be a presentation by Professor Jennifer McKay who will provide a ‘scorecard' on water reform and reveal which States and jurisdictions that are making the most progress towards efficient and sustainable water use.

John Brennan from the Western Australian Water Corporation - the state's water utility - will speak about their innovative program working with the garden industry to introduce an accreditation system to recognise commitment to water efficiency.

Brisbane-based Paul Donatiu, from the World Wide Fund for Nature and an organisation called FutureWater Australia, will co-present with New South Wales irrigator and farmer John Hamparsum on FutureWater Australia and its aims of bringing together inland communities to create a joint vision for water management.

Other streams of the conference will cover Irrigation and the Environment, the regulatory environment, issues of "best practice"; and irrigation futures.

The conference includes a number of half-day workshops for irrigators and industry sectors covering irrigation resellers, contractors, designers and specifiers, as well as irrigators of municipal landscapes, turf, grapes, vegetables,  orchards and pasture.

The conference's exhibition will feature over 350 brands and dozens of new exhibitors and international exhibitors from countries such as USA, Italy,France, Israel,China, India,Saudi Arabia, Spain and Australia.

For more information on the conference or half day workshop program go to www.irrigation.org.au or contact Robby Clark on phone 02 8268 4444, email rjclark@etf.com.au

Urban volunteers to guard against Murray waterways rot

Students, teachers, community and environmental groups, workers and practically anybody interested in the health of our waterway environments are welcome to become this year's gardians.

Developed by KESAB, Patawalonga and Torrens Waterwatch and run by River Murray Waterwatch, the Gutter Guardians program takes place over the whole month of May.

Volunteers will help sweep gutters and remove stormwater waste to help keep our catchment environment healthy.  They will also help raise awareness of how to prevent pollutants from entering the creeks, wetlands and the River.

Because stormwater flowing into creeks and rivers is largely untreated, leaf litter and organic waste become serious pollutants. They use up oxygen as they decompose and they can even choke the flow in creeks or streams.

Local Councils support the program and will display street sweeping machinery. They will also dispose of the waste matter collected by volunteers.

Volunteers will also survey residents, parents and other members of the community on their knowledge of stormwater issues and their perceptions of the effects of leaf litter on aquatic environments.

They also will collect information about the amounts and types of waste entering the stormwater system from roadside gutters in their local area.  Last year, for example volunteer collected information showed that the bulk of the waste was leaves and organic matter, although soil came a close second.

To take part in the program, you need to register by early May by contacting Pippa Kerby (SA lower Murray areas) on 08 8532 3573, email:  pkerby@rivermurray.sa.gov.au or Rebecca Arnold (Riverland areas) on 08 8595 2670, email: UpMurrWW@mi.tafe.sa.edu.au.

For more information about the program or to view information obtained in the last few years, visit the Catchment Board's website at www.rivermurray.sa.gov.au/major/gutter.html

UN Water Conference summaries now online

The conference, “Towards a National Water Policy Framework: Vision to Implementation' attracted more than 100 delegates from the water industry. They shared views on a range of issues relating to a national water policy.

A series of MS Powerpoint slides presented at the conference are also available online.

To view the material go to www.mdbc.gov.au/whatson/news/wateruse/new_UN_water_con.html

A resource on the health of Victorian catchments referred to during the conference can be found at: http://www.vcmc.vic.gov.au/Web/CatchmentConditionReports.htm

A copy of the program can be found at www.icms.com.au/unaawater03/

Youth goes digital in debate over Murray's future

Basin Bytes: Echuca– an alternative look beyond the paddle-steaming image of Echuca – is the first outcome of a $1.13 million partnership involving the NationalMuseum of Australia, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the University of Tasmania.

Similar projects will be launched soon in Wentworth and then in other communities from Queensland to Victoria along the largest river system of Australia.

The 70 images of Basin Bytes were launched on March 31 at the Campaspe Shire Council in Echuca and simultaneously on the website of the NationalMuseum of Australia inCanberra.

“The NationalMuseum is keen to see how our information technologies and connections to rural communities can help stimulate debate over the Basin's future,” said the Museum's Web Project Manager Andrew Remely.

“Our technologies have enabled rural people to participate in all stages of curating an exhibition – gathering digital images, cataloguing and captioning online, and using the web to show and build their exhibition.”

Armed with digital cameras, nine young people led by Echuca artist Paul Gamble sought the stories, places and people that show a different side to what was once Australia's largest inland port.

“One young man became so attached to his camera it never left his pocket – he was always ready for that perfect shot,” said Paul Gamble. “Intensive research was undertaken on both local history and family origins.  They learnt who they were and where they live and showed a great deal of maturity and social awareness in documenting what they discovered.”

The partnership communication project – Committing to Place – is funded by the Australian Research Council. The NationalMuseum is working with other Basin communities to further  build this web-based gallery of stories and images around cultural and natural resource issues of their area.

To view the online exhibitiongo to  www.nma.gov.au/basinbytes

For interviews, images or more information please contact Public Affairs Director Martin Portus on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 or m.portus@nma.gov.au

Tackling the Basin's urban water users' issues

And one community group in South Australia works with Government, other community groups, non-government organisations, individuals and businesses to tackle issues which concern urban users.

Since at least 1998, the River Murray Urban Users Committee has been working in partnership with Government agencies, other community groups, non-government organisations, individuals and businesses in the River Murray Urban Users Region.

It organises a wide range of activities to raise awareness in schools and in the wider community, about the importance of the Murray-Darling Basin and River Murray and encourages action to improve the health of the river system.

It maintains a comprehensive website with lots of useful environmental  and community information. The site valuable educational materials for teachers and students at various levels. It has a particularly useful online newsletter reporting the latest community activities, events and pointers to other information resources.

The Committee is one of eleven local action planning groups focusing on natural resource management issues in the Murray-DarlingBasin in South Australia.

For more information go the website www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au The newsletter is available at www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/Newsletters/mar2004/Mar_NewsLetterphp
 

First QueenslandYouth River and Landscape Conference

Under the promotion of “Footprints in the Landscape – Treading Lightly”  the two-day event will involve school students from years 5 to 12.

The event follows on from the highly successful International River Health Conference for Youth held in Mildura Victoria every two years.   The Mildura conference has twice been a finalist in the Eureka Prize Australian Science Awards, is a winner of the State Landcare Award and will feature on ABC's Australian Story this month (April).

“More than a conference, students connect with industry mentors including scientists and community leaders in natural resource management to study topics of their choice such as floodplain management, water quality, cultural heritage connections with the environment and blue-green algae,” says conference convenor Aaron Wood.

“The students will develop local environmental management projects in their region and then come together at the conference to teach each other about what they have learnt.

“So it is kids presenting to kids and providing a platform for our next generation and future leaders to become involved in natural resource management,” he said.

“The conference works within school curricula and helps teachers promote environmental management. Some schools encourage drama, maths and history students to take part in the conference making it a whole school experience.

“The last regional conference held in Broken Hill in late 2003 received tremendous support and praise from students, teachers and the local community.”

It is anticipated that federal and state politicians and leading celebrities will attend the Conference which will include an official conference dinner, and musical and other entertainment to make it a life long memorable experience and encourage young people to be continue their involvement in natural resource management.

The conference is funded by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee, Condamine Alliance, Condamine Catchment Management Association, South West Natural Resource Management Inc and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC).

For more information visit the website at www.riverhealth.com

Catchment management student research grants now available

Though small, the Ernest Jackson Memorial national student grants which are in their 18th year, are keenly sought after.  Full time students can apply for a grant of up to $2000 to assist them in undertaking research in aspects of catchment management.

Ernest Jackson worked for the better understanding of the relationships between land and water for over 50 years and was one of the first people to call this relationship Integrated Catchment Management. He had worked for both the Department of Agriculture and the then StateRivers and Water Supply Commission (in Victoria) as an information and education officer for nearly 20 years prior to his retirement in 1966.

Previous projects which have been funded  include:

• the role of snags in the biology of streams and rivers;
• systems and scales in sustainable development: views on  catchment management and landcare districts;
• channel morphology in relation to hydrological and  geomorphic characteristics;
• modeling of nutrient dynamics in rivers and streams

The grants do not support capital expenditure and  preference may be given to members or student members of the River Basin Management  Society.

Honour's students are particularly encouraged to apply given the previous timing (second or third quarter of the year) of  previous rounds which has sometimes been a mismatch for their project cycles.

Applications should be should be made using the grants application form which is available from the Society's website at www.rbms.com.au/grants.html

Five copies should be submitted and they are due on 30 April 2004.

For more information contact Dr Colin Leigh, Convenor,  RBMS Research Committee  PO Box 113, Forest Hill VIC 3131, email: cleigh@parks.vic.gov.au
 

New website explores biosalinity solutions

Set up by the Biosalinity Awareness Project which claims to be an independent, non-profit organisation, the site is a rich information resource.

It includes extensive listings of useful salt-tolerant plants, current halophyte research and development, and germplasm/seed sources and links to relevant books, articles, news, and interviews.

The information aims to help farmers to experiment, encourage entrepreneurial ventures and boost collaborative efforts among concerned individuals and groups.

The Project organisers say their site is based on the premise that we are quickly depleting and contaminating the natural resources that are necessary to sustain plant-based life on earth.

• The main objectives of the Project are to:

increase public awareness of the impact of freshwater scarcity and elevated levels of salinity in our environment, specifically on issues related to food and water security, biomass production, and species survival;
• disseminate scientific research and promote innovations that (1) accelerate the adoptation of halophytes and other salt-tolerant crop varieties in the field, and (2) may prove useful in developing sustainable biosaline technologies for the future; and
• encourage capital investment from both the public and private sector for seed collection, breeding programs, and field trials with the aim of establishing appropriate-scale biosaline production systems for commercial and/or conservation purposes.