Murray-Darling Basin Commission –
January 2005 E-letter No 38

Welcome to the Murray-Darling Basin monthly e-letter with reports of happenings across the Basin.

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

In this issue:

1. MDBC report into land use change finalised
2. Second opportunity for river communities to benefit
3. The Living Murray Business Plan released
4. 3rd Australian Water Summit to cover ‘all policy aspects'
5. Minor flooding for Darling, no impact on Murray
6. Forum to probe future of biodiversity and agriculture
7. Land & Water Australia Senior Research Fellowships
8. Activities to mark 175th anniversary of Sturt journey
9. Over $4.5 million for community NRM projects announced
10. Website explains South Australian NRM investment strategies
11. Envirofund funding applications open
12. Christmas greetings from all of us at MDBC

MDBC report into land use change finalised
A report which trials a new and more cost effective way of estimating land and water use across the Murray-Darling Basin was released on 20 December by Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik.

The report, “Quantifying and valuing land use change for integrated catchment management evaluation in the Murray-Darling Basin between 1996/97 and 2000/01” by CSIRO is now available on their website.

Funded by the MDBC and CSIRO, the study trials an improved method of combining Bureau of Rural Science's remote sensing data and Australian Bureau of Statistics data estimating land and water use, according to Dr Craik.

“The report is the first stage in a larger project which aims to provide Basin-scale pictures of agricultural land and water use which can be easily and relatively cheaply updated,” Dr Craik said.

“It provides our first comprehensive Basin picture of land and water use for agriculture.  Both 1996/97 and 2000/01 were years of average rainfall in the Basin which means we are seeing differences unlikely to be the result of climatic variation”.

The report found that:

• between the 1996/97 and 2000/01 there was a large scale conversion of dryland pasture areas from sheep to beef following the improvement in beef cattle prices and  also an expansion in oilseeds; and
• between 1996/97 and 2000/01 the irrigated area in the Basin increased from 1.5 million hectares to 1.8 million hectares.  Significant new areas opened up to irrigation between those two years with the southern parts of the Basin producing dairy products, cereals, grapes and fruit and the northern parts producing cotton.

“It is likely that some of the increase in irrigation area is being met by increased groundwater diversions as well as increased irrigation efficiency, which allows producers to grow more area of crop per megalitre of water,” Dr Craik explained.

“Our next stage in this project will be a verification of those findings”.

A summary of the report and a copy of the full report (10meg download) are available at http://www.clw.csiro.au/publications/consultancy/

For media inquiries call Sam Leone, Phone: 02 62790157 BH, Mobile  (0407) 006332, Email: sam.leone@mdbc.gov.au
 
 

Second opportunity for river communities to benefit
On December 17 the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council announced the second opportunity for communities to submit ideas on possible water recovery projects under The Living Murray.

Catchment management authorities, industry, irrigation and community groups are again being asked to propose cost-effective infrastructure improvement projects that can be further investigated and developed for future recovery of water for the environment, according to Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik.

“MDBC is calling for organisations to identify feasibility studies for possible future water recovery projects that they believe should be undertaken in the southern part of the Basin that will each result in an average annual increase of flows in the rivers of at least two gigalitres but cost $2000/ML or less to deliver,” Dr Craik said.

“Types of infrastructure improvement projects that would deliver water savings include installation of pipelines, lining of sections of irrigation channels, and installation of more precise flow measurement systems.

“We expect that the funding of the feasibility study for each project will generally be about $100,000 or less, but special cases would be considered” she said.

Developed in consultation with state agencies, successful projects this round would be additional to four already approved feasibility projects from the first call for proposals in August under the Living Murray's $1.2m Development of Infrastructure Projects Program.  About $640,000 of funding remains in this program for this round of projects.

“It's very important for Basin communities to grasp these opportunities to develop proposals for future investment in their regions,” Dr Craik said.
Organisations considering submitting a second round proposal should download the prospectus, background leaflet and short application from the MDBC website. Proposals will be accepted until 12 noon on February 17, 2005.

For previously funded projects and to view the prospectus and application forms: www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au/implementing/water_recovery.html

Further information on The Living Murray initiative:www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au
 

The Living Murray Business Plan released
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) has released The Living Murray Business Plan providing detail on how the “First Step” decision will be achieved.

Agreed at the last Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in November, the Business Plan explains how the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Murray-Darling Basin, including the $500 million commitment under COAG by the New South Wales, Victorian, South Australian, ACT and Australian governments, will be implemented.

The plan outlines arrangements for how water will be recovered, managed, accounted for and delivered to the six Living Murray ecologically significant sites.

Announcing the release on 14 December, MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik said although the Business Plan had been agreed, its activation is dependent on a resolution of issues related to the National Water Initiative (NWI).

“Despite the delay preliminary work is underway to enable the Business Plan to be activated quickly once resolution of NWI issues is achieved,” Dr Craik said.

 The Business Plan includes the Living Murray Environmental Watering Plan 2004-05 – Interim Arrangements covering 12 months while more detailed plans are developed. It also includes procedure for developing Environmental Management Plans for each of the Living Murray significant ecological assets, according to Dr Craik.

 “The Ministerial Council agreed to four water recovery proposals from Victoria and New South Wales. These proposals will recover 240 GL at a cost of $179 million – nearly half the water to be recovered for the Living Murray First Step, at about 35 % of the budget agreed by COAG,” Dr Craik said.

 “Implementing these proposals is also dependent on resolution of NWI issues,” she said.

 “The Ministerial Council is also aware of progress within the important $150 million eight-year Environmental Works and Measures Program which will complement water recovery projects through arrangements to make best use of water available for the environment”.

Dr Craik said work had also started on another four feasibility assessments of infrastructure projects that may ultimately result in more than 60 GL of additional water being recovered for the environment.

 “Both of these initiatives are now integral components of the Business Plan,” Dr Craik said.

The MDBC and the Ministerial Council's Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will hold community forums at regional centres along the River Murray in early 2005 to explain the Business Plan.

 “I want to encourage all interested individuals and organisations to get hold of the Business Plan which is available on the MDBC web site or by calling 1800 687 044,” Dr Craik said.

To view/download the Business Plan go to:
www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au/whats_new/business_plan_menu.html
 

Minor flooding for Darling, no impact on Murray
Despite widespread and significant rain across much of the Basin there was little streamflow response in catchments of the River Murray, River Murray Water General Manager Mr David Dreverman said in a statement on 17 December.

However, with significant streamflow rises in much of the Darling River System, the Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings of minor to moderate flooding for the Gwydir, Namoi, Barwon and Darling Rivers.

“The Bureau has advised that the Darling flood peak is expected to reach Bourke by about 10 January.

“Preliminary indications from the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) are that the additional inflow to Menindee Lakes from this event will be at least 100 GL, however, revised estimates will be provided in coming weeks as more information becomes available.”

Significant reductions in irrigation demand resulted after the rain, particularly areas supplied by Mulwala Canal, Yarrawonga Main Channel and National Channel.

In response to this and minor increases in the Kiewa and Ovens Rivers, release from Hume Reservoir has been reduced from 11,000 to 7 000 ML/day. Release from Yarrawonga Weir was increased to a peak of 12 800 ML/day following the rain of last week.

Read the complete statement at:  http://www.mdbc.gov.au/river_murray/river_info/weekly_report/current_wr.pdf

For more information contact David Dreverman on (02) 6267 0100
 

3rd Australian Water Summit to cover water policy and management
The 3rd Australian Water Summit promises to cover all aspects of water policy and management.

Organisers say the event, to be held between 28 February and 2 March, will explore the Council of Australian Governments agreement and outcome of the recently signed National Water Initiative.

It will also look at the key areas of water pricing, regulation, trading and environmental management. It will provide interactive sessions on state government water management initiatives, including technology, infrastructure and supply/demand scenarios.

Organisers say the Australian Water Summit is an established and respected industry forum, which last year attracted over 150 water experts from both the public and private sectors.

“This 3rd Annual summit will provide you with a unique opportunity to network, share experiences, overcome common issues and keep abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the water industry.”

Highlights include:

• Update on the CoAG agreement and the National Water Initiative;
• Water pricing & regulation;
• Water trading & entitlements;
• Population pressure & climate variation-an insight into Australia's future;
• Demand management & water conservation strategies;
• New technologies in water reuse & recycling;
• Securing future water supply through infrastructure development; and
• Environmental concerns and initiatives.

• Peter McVean, Chief Executive Officer, Veolia Water Australia;
• Graeme Head, Managing Director, Sydney Catchment Authority;
• Dr Paul Sinclair, Healthy Rivers Co-ordinator, Environment Victoria ;
• Mike Young, Director Policy & Economic Research Unit, CSIRO;
• Rod Hayes, Chief Executive, Gladstone Area Water Board;
• Geoff Henstock, General Manager, Pricing & Regulatory Affairs, SA Water;
• Paul Kelly, Director, Water Division, WA Economic Regulation Authority; and
• Mike Smith, Director, National Water Initiative, SA Department of Water, Land  and Biodiversity Conservation.

Forum to probe future of biodiversity and agriculture
The 2nd Riverina Biodiversity Forum to be held on 9-11 February will explore issues related to biodiversity and agriculture into the future.

Meeting at the Griffith Regional Theatre in NSW,  participants will discuss a wide range of issues including the key topics:

• reconciling biodiversity with irrigated agriculture;
• working with Land Managers and the Community; and
• the big issues for the future eg climate change.

The goal for this forum is to bring scientists, land managers, planners and farmers together to discuss key biodiversity issues, share discoveries and to confront many of the major challenges that lie ahead.

In advance of the forum a discussion paper will be distributed raising issues in relation to current and future challenges for reconciling biodiversity and highly modified (agricultural) landscapes and impact of looming issues such as climate change.

The Forum includes visits to local farms, biodiversity study sites, CRC project sites, National Parks and other relevant areas.

For more information contact: Janelle McGufficke, Ricegrowers Association of Australia Inc. (02)6953 0598 e-mail: jmcgufficke@rga.org.au
 

Land & Water Australia Senior Research Fellowship Winners announced
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry the Hon. Warren Truss recently presented the inaugural Land &Water Australia Senior Research Fellowships.

The winners for 2004-05 are:

• Dr Neil Barr - Dr Neil Barr is the leader of the Rural, Social Research Team with the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria;
• Dr Richard Evans- Principal Hydrogeologist employed by Sinclair Knight Merz Consultants; and
• Professor Sam Lake - is a Professor of Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University.

Land & Water Australia say the Senior Research Fellowships are “an exciting new initiative that will work at the intersection of two of the Australian Government's key science priorities: innovation and scientific excellence; and improved management of Australia's natural resources, particularly water.”

During the peak of a researcher's career their most precious commodity is time. Many of our best scientific brains spend too much of their time on activities other than research — administration, managing people, writing research proposals, wrestling with budgets and so on.

In a new approach to funding science, these Fellowships are expressly designed to 'free up' the time of a select few of our leading researchers each year, to give them some time and space from the constraints of every day work.

The intent is to sponsor reflective, synthesis research by people at the top of their fields — in mid-career, rather than in retirement.

The result of this effort will be practical outcomes that advance the way Australians think about, interact with and manage our natural resources. Each of the Fellows will produce an outline of  their thinking, findings and recommendations.

For more information go to the website at www.lwa.gov.au/news.asp?news=81&title=policy
 

Activities to mark 175th anniversary of Sturt's epic Murray-Darling journey
A weekend of activities over January 22 and 23 will celebrate Captain Charles Sturt's historic 1830 arrival at the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers.

The celebrations will begin in Merbein and travel down the Murray, just like Sturt, to historic Wentworth.

The 23rd marks the 175th anniversary to the day Sturt arrived at the junction of the mighty Murray and Darling Rivers at Wentworth.

The Merbein Historical Society has planned a re-enactment of Sturt's epic voyage, with a land fall at the Chaffey landing below Mildara Winery to be followed by lunch at 12.30pm.

Activities have been organised by a consortium of community groups including the P.S. Ruby, the Wentworth and Merbein Historical Societies, several service clubs and the Wentworth Mainstreet Events Committee.

The Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) has also pledged strong support and representatives will participate in many of the activities.

MDBC Communication Manager Lawrie Kirk said the MDBC was pleased to support this important community event.

“A 2005 field studies program which will bring senior art students from the Australian National University to Wentworth, will be launched at the celebrations in January,” Mr Kirk said.

Activities will include:

• a Murray-Darling “visual spectacular” - a continuous showing at the Wentworth Town Hall of film clips, narration, aerial photography, art work, an animation of the fish ways and other material relating to the environmental, historical and technical aspects of the Murray and Darling Rivers;
• a display of art work from the MDBC "Special Forever" project on the Murray Darling, an art competition and historical photos;
• an exhibition by Marg Whyte at the Captain Sturt Hotel;
• an evening of film at the Wentworth Town Hall;
• a “boat in for breakfast” in which a  fleet of small boats departs the Junction for the Wharf and a hot or cold breakfast choice.

Sunday will see “The Great Aussie Tinny Races” with a range of events – U17s, women, mixed, veterans, open. Limited to legal tinnies and legal capacity of boat, no motors, hand held paddles only.

Clock here for the brochure (PDF file):

For more information contact Jill French on jill@jillfrench.com.au
 

Over $4.5 million for community NRM projects announced
Local Action Planning Groups across the South Australian Murray-Darling are to share more than $4.5 million for natural resources management projects.

The River Murray Catchment Water Management Board recently announced a series of community grants derived from the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality initiated by the Australian Government and the Board's own levy.

The grants will be used by community groups to run projects on issues such as the Lower Lakes shore erosion, introduction of perennial plants to salinity recharge areas, fencing of waterways, biodiversity conservation, wetland monitoring, water use efficiency projects and for the skill building and access to best management practise advice for the region's landholders and wider community.

For more informaiton go to: www.rivermurray.sa.gov.au/about/funding.html

Communities working together for NRM reform
With the introduction of the new Natural Resource Management Act into South Australian legislation, communities from across the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin have come together to identify the ways they can best be supported in natural resource management.

Two meetings, incorporating all Local Action Planning groups across the region have been held in Murray Bridge and Waikerie to work out how resources can be most effectively used across the region and where sub regional boundaries should lie.

For more information contact Kate Priess on mdblcc@lm.net.au
 

New website explains South Australian NRM investment strategies
A new website is helping people learn more about the investment strategies that underpin the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Integrated Natural Resources Management Group.

The Group was formed by the South Australian Government to lead and coordinate the efforts of the various groups involved in natural resource management within the region.

The Group's main aim is to prepare an Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan and accompanying Investment Strategies for the region.

The plan draws together the strategies, actions, knowledge and resources of multiple groups to achieve integrated natural resource management across the whole region.

The investment strategies underpin the Plan and represent a bridge between key issues, strategies and targets in the plan and on-ground programs to implement the plan.

The new website includes information on all aspects of the strategies at different phases of planning and implementation.

For more information go to the new website at http://www.rivermurray.sa.gov.au/inrm/
 

Envirofund funding applications open
Applications for funding under the Australian Government's Envirofund (Round 6) close on Friday 18th February.

Community groups and individuals can apply for grants of up to $30,000 (GST inclusive) to carry out on-ground and other actions to target local problems.

Grants of up to $50,000 (GST inclusive) will be considered where the magnitude, complexity or public benefit of the project is such that additional funding would be beneficial.

Envirofund is the local action component of the Australian Government's $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust. It helps communities undertake local projects aimed at conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable resource use.

For more information go to the website at http://www.nht.gov.au/envirofund
 

Christmas greetings from all of us at MDBC
The Executive and staff of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission extend a warm thanks to all partner organisations and individuals throughout the Basin and beyond who have worked with us over the past year and wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

ends