Murray-Darling Basin Commission – October 2005, E-letter No 47
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In this issue:
MDB Ministers restate commitment to Living Murray Initiative
The Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in Brisbane on 30 September considered progress on the Living Murray Initiative and restated its commitment to the delivery of the Living Murray First Step.
Recognising the challenges facing Council in recovering water, they have agreed to explore the use of market instruments to complement existing infrastructure projects.
The Council directed the Commission to develop options for the Council to consider at its April 2006 meeting. This should also include consideration for options for water purchasing.
The Council also considered the impact of the broader risks to shared water resources and reiterated the importance of addressing those risks. The Commission is developing options to address those risks (ground water and climate change etc) to shared water resources.
The Council directed the Commission to establish a compatible basin wide water accounting processes which provide open and transparent measurement of all water sharing arrangements including surplus flows.
Concerned about increasing evidence of dying redgum populations, the Council also agreed to spend an extra $1.5m to water redgums at 60 sites along the River Murray in New South Wales , Victoria and South Australia between October 2005 and June 2006.
On other matters, the Council endorsed the Commission's new Five-Year Strategic Plan and Program Review and directed that the Commission's 2006/07 Budget be developed off an indicative expenditure base of $92m.
To read the full communiqué and its attachments go to www.mdbc.gov.au/news_room/communique/mc-30september05.htm
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Australia celebrates National Water Week
Water and catchment authorities, Australian, State and local government agencies, industry and community groups will support a range of activities across the continent to celebrate National Water Week from 16 to 22 October.
National Water Week will be launched in Melbourne by the Governor of Victoria, the Hon John Landy, AC, MBE, the Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Mrs Elaine Carbines, MLC, and the National Water Week Spokesperson, Tammy van Wisse.
The launch, which will be held at the Immigration Melbourne Museum on Sunday 16 October, will include presentation of prizes to the finalists of the National Water Week Competition.
National Water Week is held in October across Australia each year and is hosted by each State and Territory. It involves the community in protecting and conserving our precious water resources.
The Week, which was first held in 1993, is designed to help members of the community of all ages and walks of life to understand and take action to protect and conserve our precious water resources and habitats.
During National Water Week Australians are encouraged to protect, conserve and get involved in water resource management.
Organisers say they want to make communities aware that, as a valuable resource, water comprises marine, estuarine, freshwater (rivers and lakes) and groundwater sources in both coastal and inland areas. Quality and quantity are two closely linked dimensions that make up water.
For more information on National Water Week events and how you can participate , go to the web site at www.savewater.com.au
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Stressed River Red Gums near Mildura get vital drink
Drought stressed River Red Gums and floodplain vegetation at Lock 8 near Wentworth and Mildura got a vital watering when the upstream weir pool level was increased in late September.
“Rainfall in the upper catchment in late August increased the flow along the lower sections of the River Murray, allowing NSW and Victorian agencies and River Murray Water (RMW) to maximise environmental benefits by raising the level at Lock 8 to ‘boost' the river levels as much as possible,” according to Acting RMW General Manager, Tony Morse.
“This is an example of using the Locks and weirs to provide water for the environment without reducing water availability to existing users,” Mr Morse said.
The river level upstream of Lock 8 was increased gradually so that by 23 September it was about 20 cm above the full supply level (24.60m AHD). The Lock 8 weir pool level could then be raised to 50cm above full supply level by about 1 October, depending on the results of monitoring from the initial pool level raising, he explained.
Mr Morse said further increases in the level of the Lock 8 weir pool might occur during October and the duration of the weir pool raising, and therefore the watering of the River Red Gums, would depend on the availability of surplus flows or existing environmental water allocations.
“These actions are aligned with the objectives of The Living Murray and are consistent with initiatives recently announced by the South Australian Minister for the River Murray, Minister Karlene Maywald, in relation to raising the upstream pool level of Locks 1, 4, 5 and 6,” Mr Morse said.
“Landowners, river diverters, boat operators and other river users are advised to take changes in river levels into account when planning activities and that further announcements will be made if significant changes to this operating plan are required,” he said.
For more information contact Tony Morse on 02 6279 0100
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Euston Weir refilled
The Euston Weir pool was refilled to the full supply level (47.60m AHD) in mid-September to allow major works to continue at Weir and Lock 10 at Wentworth.
River Murray Water (RMW) Acting General Manager Tony Morse said that, as a result of rainfall in the upper catchment during late August, there was an increased flow along the River Murray so that the anticipated peak flow at Wentworth would impact on works in progress at Lock 10 to modify the navigable pass and construct a new fishway.
“The Euston Weir pool was drawn down to 30 cm below full supply level in mid August and the refilling of this weir pool was aimed at slightly reducing the higher flow before it reached Wentworth to ensure minimal disruption to the works being undertaken at that site,” he said.
According to Mr Morse there was an expected reduction to the peak flow of the River Murray downstream of Euston Weir from about 18 000 ML/day down to 17 000 ML/day (˜ 8-10 cm reduction in river height).
He said information from the River Murray Wetland Database indicated this small reduction in flow would not result in significantly less watering of the floodplain between Euston and Wentworth due to the relatively confined nature of that river reach.
“However, RMW are aware of the drought stressed floodplains along the lower parts of the River Murray and are working closely with NSW, Victorian and South Australian Government agencies to ‘boost' river levels as much as possible after this flow peak passes Wentworth Weir to assist in watering stressed River Red Gums and other floodplain vegetation.
The action may involve surcharging the weir pools downstream of Wentworth to push additional water onto the Lower Murray floodplain, including parts of Wallpolla Island , Lindsay Island and Chowilla floodplains, which combine to form one of the Living Murray significant ecological assets. RMW will provide more information on these potential actions.
Mr Morse advised river diverters, boat operators and other river users to take the changes in river levels into account when planning activities. This operation is subject to change at short notice if there are significant changes to tributary inflows as compared to current predictions.
For more information contact Tony Morse on 02 6279 0100
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Patchy rainfall across Basin in late September
Rainfall across the Basin during the last week of September was patchy, with the highest falls occurring in central NSW and along the River Murray in South Australia .
In its weekly report, River Murray Water said heavy rainfall was recorded across the Ovens, Kiewa, Mitta Mitta and Murray catchments.
This rainfall was expected to generate significant inflow to the upper storages over the ensuing week.
The Bureau of Meteorology has released a moderate flood warning for the River Murray upstream of Hume Reservoir and a minor flood warning for the Mitta Mitta River upstream of Dartmouth
Water releases from Dartmouth Dam remained at the minimum level of 200 ML/day and inflows to the storage in late September averaged 5 000 ML/day.
Prior to this most recent rain, there was about a 20% chance of filling Hume Reservoir this season and an extremely low possibility of filling Dartmouth Reservoir. This will be reviewed once the magnitude of this latest inflow is known.
For more information , read the full report at www.mdbc.gov.au/river_murray/river_info/river_info.html
Mick Malthouse to launch the River Health Conference
AFL Collinwood Coach Michael Malthouse will be in Mildura on Monday October 17th to launch the 2005 MDBC International River Health Conference.
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission is a major sponsor the event.
A brilliant footballer and highly-awarded Coach, Michael is also a strong environmental advocate and even campaigned to save the Jarrah Forrest's of Western Australia .
Organiser Aaron Wood says the conference now includes an “impressive celebrity line up with Big Brother winners the Logan Twins presenting on their Landcare involvement, Neighbours actress Stephanie McIntosh, Dancing with the Stars ' Paul Mercurio, Channel Seven weather man Rob Gel, The Age's Claire Miller and Melissa Fyfe, local celebrity chef Stefano de Pieri ( A Gondola on the Murray ) and Australian Idol 's Ricki-Lee, who is rumored to be releasing her debut album that same week.
In partnership with Telstra Country Wide, the Conference will be broadcast live on the web. It will feature innovative workshops, celebrity guest speakers, art exhibitions, cultural performances and entertainment.
According to Mr Wood, more than 380 participants had to be turned away but they would be able to observe the conference via the live web links
“It is fantastic that schools and interested community members can now view the kids workshops through the internet," he said.
For more information or to view thelive link go to www.riverhealth.com or contact Daniela Loren, media liaison, Mobile : 0407 200 960 email: danimarchetta@hotmail.com
Revegetating native plants in SA's Riverland
A new program in the South Australia 's western Riverland area is helping landholders and schools to access local native plants for revegetation activities.
While the project includes people of all ages of the community, Riverland West Local Action Planning Officer, Emma Egel, has engaged local senior citizens to help run the LAP nursery and to propagate native species at home.
These plants are then planted out around the Waikerie area with the assistance of the schools, proving that revegetation is an activity for all ages to enjoy.
For more information contact Emma Egel at rwlap@riverland.net.au
NRM Investment strategy meetings continue across SA
The next Community Reference group on the Investment Strategy for Natural Resources Management across the South Australia Murray-Darling Basin will meet on 10 October at the Murray Bridge Community Club.
The meeting will build on a series of similar gatherings held throughout SA in September. The meetings are part of efforts to start the ball rolling on the next Investment Strategy.
Organisers say previous success in attracting large amounts of Australian Government dollars into the region has created on ground change to protect and enhance our local environment and agricultural systems.
The newest Investment Strategy is set to build on this success and involve the community in topical areas such as Biodiversity and Land Management, Salinity Water Quality and Water Use Efficiency, capacity Building, Environmental Flow and Coastal Marine Systems and Monitoring and Evaluation.
To become involved further or find out more about the upcoming development of the regional investment Strategy, contact or to attend the next Investment Strategy Stakeholders meeting, contact Samantha Rayner mdbinvest@lm.net.au
$10.3m released for Central West Catchment land, water & vegetation
The Central West Catchment Management Authority (CW CMA) in NSW recently released $10.3 million to allow land managers and community groups to get involved in on ground projects.
The funds are targeted towards projects that will help improve biodiversity, water quality, native vegetation, soils and reduce salinity.
CW CMA General Manager, Tim Ferraro said, “The catchment landholders were quick to be involved in the two previous CW CMA funding rounds that distributed over $2.4 million in funding for approximately 270 on ground projects that will improve natural resources.
“These projects involve the establishment of native trees and shrubs, the protection and enhancement of remnant vegetation, erosion control measures and improved grazing management activities including fencing, perennial pasture establishment and reticulated water supplies.
“The CW CMA is encouraging interested landholders, community groups and Local Government to get involved in natural resource improvement projects that support sustainable agriculture and environmental recovery.
“This is a great opportunity to have your natural resource project supported and funded.
“Catchment advisors located throughout the catchment are available to discuss your idea, assist you in developing your project plan and will visit your property or project site to support and walk you through this simple process.” Mr Ferraro said.
The Central West CMA is a newly established organisation that is responsible for the management of natural resources within the Central West. The NSW and Australian Governments have made funding available to improve and restore our precious natural resources.
“We have been holding a number of “Meet and Greets” and Travelling Field day events with the aim for staff to meet interested landholders and community members in a casual setting and to view project sites. These events have been successful in providing an opportunity for community members and staff to discuss catchment issues, view funded projects that have adopted new land use practices and to discuss opportunities for working together.
For further information on incentive funding and other natural resource activities, contact one of the CW CMA Offices on Orange: 6393 4382, Bathurst: 6339 4905, Wellington: 6840 7800, Dubbo: 6841 7438, Gilgandra: 6847 2923, Nyngan: 6832 1303, Trangie: 6880 8028, Mudgee: 6372 4044, or visit the website on: www.cw.cma.nsw.gov.au
Namoi Catchment plans for the 22 nd Century
The Namoi Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is preparing to launch its community consultation phase to finalise the Namoi Catchment Action Plan.
Bruce Brown, General Manager of the Namoi CMA said “the Catchment Action Plan is the policy framework which will guide natural resource management in the Namoi Valley over the next ten years.
“The Catchment Action Plan revises the Blueprint developed by the Catchment Management Board in 2003, in order to bring it up to date with current legislation and new information.
“Not only will the Plan address catchment and management targets for the four key regional ‘resources' - biodiversity, water, land and community, it also covers social and economic aspects to achieve viable and productive communities.
“It might sound ‘futuristic' to be talking about the 22 nd Century but the activities and strategies we put in place now may not show a real impact for many decades to come,” Mr Brown said.
“Notwithstanding this, failure to plan on natural resource management issues now could mean that a future disaster looms large.”
Namoi CMA has worked in partnership with government agencies, industry groups and scientists to develop a Draft Catchment Action Plan and now it is up to everyone in the Catchment to have their say.
“The consultation phase which we are about to embark on in October provides an excellent opportunity for the landholders, industry groups and the community to have real input into the issues to be addressed and activities to be undertaken. This is all about planning for the future, today,” Mr Brown said.
For more information contact Anne Ferguson on (02) 6742 9202 or 0429-048 867 or anne.ferguson@cma.nsw.gov.au
Namoi CMA seeks landholders to improve pastures and soils
The Namoi Catchment Management Authority is seeking project proposals from landholders, Landcare and community groups, individuals and local councils for on ground works.
Brenda Shepherd, the Authority's Catchment Officer says funds are available to improve biodiversity, riverine ecosystems, river salinity, salinity, soil health and sustainable landscapes.
In a recent example, Brenda worked with a Manilla couple, Angus and Tiffany Faulks and Angus' parents, Stuart and Gay, to prepare a project plan. She helped them with fast tracking the application for incentive funding to carry out the works.
She said the Faulks are making a great contribution to improving natural resource issues with the assistance of the Namoi Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
Their properties, Leaholme and Arranmore on the Boggabri Road , will undergo a complete restructuring of paddock layout to reduce paddock size and improve general stock movement. This will help to improve soil structure and prevent soil erosion.
The works will involve installing 42km of electric fencing, 13 watering points in three grazing cells and improving native perennial pastures using fertilisers.
According to Angus, “there are about 400 ha which will be taken back to natural perennial pasture after years of cropping, with the other 242 ha dedicated to improving pasture which is recovering from years of set stocking and overgrazing.
“The main objective of this project is to increase our profitability by improving soil health and pastures and to reach 70 per cent groundcover, 100 per cent of the time,” Angus said.
For more information on how the Namoi CMA can assist with property plans and incentive funds to carry out works on your property please call Brenda Shepherd on 6764 5953.
Forget Kakadu, go to Gunbower Forest
The Northern Territory may have tourist-touting Kakadu but there are people who say the Gunbower Forest in a flood year can be just as alluring, according to a feature media release from Victoria 's North Central Catchment Management Authority.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority is managing the 'Flooding Enhancement of Gunbower Forest' project in partnership with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and Goulburn-Murray Water.
The project is designed to protect and enhance the ecological communities within the forest by providing an artificial flooding regime based on pre and post river regulation flooding patterns.
Thousands of birds, animals and tiny wetland creatures and plants make this 20,000 hectare forest that stretches along the southern bank of the Murray River from Torrumbarry to Koondrook their home.
But according to forest fan, birdwatcher and day-tripper Norma Sheridan, even some locals who live at nearby Cohuna don't appreciate what's on their doorstep.
Norma, 71, who grew up on a farm near the forest, left the area and returned as a 34-year-old, began to spend more time there after her husband died nine years ago. The tragic loss of her son also compelled her to seek solace in the tranquillity of the huge Redgum haven and its protected wetlands. But her love affair with the forest began earlier as a birdwatcher.
An archivist with the Cohuna Historical Society, her knowledge of birds has made her a sought-after data collector for scientists and forest managers.
“We used to come out here as children with our parents and when I came back to Cohuna I started bird watching and rediscovered the Gunbower Forest ,” Norma said.
Another local, Norm Wilson, 76, is Norma's bird watching mentor. Norm, a farmer's son who left school at 13 to cut trees for charcoal in the forest during the early 40s, reckons he has walked every inch of it.
Today Norm spends every spare moment in the forest. He loves fishing and shooting though declares he only shoots what he eats. His ute is permanently equipped, with boat atop and fishing rod and bait in the back. When floodwaters drown the tracks, Norm can navigate his way through the forest just as easily.
Stan Archard, an irrigation industry pioneer who has built up a multi-million dollar business in Cohuna designing irrigation schemes, is helping devise ways to keep the forest artificially flooded.
“There is a new era in the Gunbower Forest ,” he declares.
“Without artificial flooding we would be in trouble because the (natural) floods are getting less and less and if global warming occurs as they say it will, the forest might get even less water. Without it, our forests wouldn't be as good as they are.”
To read the full feature go to www.nccma.vic.gov.au/newsDetail.asp?ID=99
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Exchange Incentive Fund Call s for proposals
Land & Water Australia 's Native Vegetation & Biodiversity R&D Program together with Greening Australia, have announced a call for proposals for the Exchange Incentive Fund.
The fund is a small grants fund managed in a partnership between Land & Water Australia 's Native Vegetation & Biodiversity R&D Program and Greening Australia's Exchange service supported by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust.
Grants of around $10,000 for projects are available, although applications for more, or less, than this amount will be considered, to a maximum of $20,000.
Applications close 5 pm 28 October 2005 .
For more information about the Exchange Incentive Fund and how to apply, go to www.lwa.gov.au/news.asp?news=99&title=policy
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