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Murray-Darling Basin Commission
– December 2006, E-letter No 61
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 sam.leone@mdbc.gov.au Online html versions are available at: mdbc.gov.au/communications/s-scribe/eletter_menu Please feel free to pass this e-letter along to anybody who might be interested. To subscribe online go to http://mdbc.gov.au/communications/s-scribe To be removed from the mailing list, please reply to this message with “unsubscribe” in the subject heading. This newsletter currently has 1150 subscribers. (See also The Living Murray
website at www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au)
Despite some widespread rain and a few scattered showers in southern areas in mid-November, the Murray-Darling Basin remains dry according to River Murray Water (RMW). Writing in the RMW’s Weekly Report, General Manager Mr David Dreverman said the showers were not enough to produce any additional runoff into the River Murray system, leading to a fall in the unregulated inflows to Hume and Dartmouth Reservoirs. An increase in temperatures during the period caused a rise in irrigation demands and transmission losses along the river system. Mr Dreverman said the Bureau of Meteorology had reported a strengthening of El Niño conditions bringing warmer than average temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean and a tendency to drier than average conditions across eastern Australia. These are expected to persist for much of the summer. However the Bureau has stated that a switch towards wetter conditions has been observed in the January or February of some previous El Niño events. Warm temperatures in the Indian Ocean could bias the climate towards wetter than average conditions across eastern Australia, which would help to alleviate the impact of the current El Niño. The Bureau’s outlook shows the chances of accumulating at least average rainfall during December to February are close to 50 per cent for much of Australia. Mr Dreverman said water releases from Dartmouth Reservoir were increased in mid-November to help meet demands on Hume Reservoir over the coming months. Storage in Dartmouth fell 68 GL this week to 1 517 GL (39% capacity), while increased water demands on Hume saw it fall 38 GL to 242 GL (8% capacity). Flow downstream of Torrumbarry Weir averaged about 6 000 ML/day, with National Channel diversions remaining at approximately 2 200 ML/day this week. Inflow from the Murrumbidgee River averaged 1 400 ML/day at Balranald as part of the Murrumbidgee Intervalley Trade Account requested by RMW to help meet irrigation demands over the coming months. For more information and the latest River Murray Weekly Report go to www.mdbc.gov.au/rmw/river_information_centre How
MDBC has kept you informed of worsening drought
Some of the communication has included:
MDBC senior managers also have been quick to absorb and act on any relevant new drought information from other agencies such as the Bureau of Meteorology and, just a few weeks ago, from Snowy Hydro. On 12 October, the Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik, briefed the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee (see above) on the severity of the drought and on water issues generally. The MDBC will continue to quickly and comprehensively inform all stakeholders and communities throughout the Basin and beyond of any new drought and water availability information as it becomes available. For more information please visit our website at www.mdbc.gov.au MDBC
CE briefs Senate Committee on drought’s grim news
The transcript of her appearance has just been made publicly available on the Senate website at www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S9720.pdf. “If the situation that we are in continues, we look as if we are going to be effectively emptying our storages by the end of the irrigation year—that is April-May (2007),” Dr Craik said. “Up until then we are still going to have some operational difficulties running the dams at such a low level. “But the real issue is that at the end of the irrigation year—that is April-May, because the irrigation year starts on 1 July—there will not be anything in storage. That means that next year what we will have to rely on in the Murray is about 1,000 gigalitres from Snowy, as we always do, spread throughout the year. “Whatever else we get, we may be relying on inflows to provide whatever water we have for diversions because there is a certain amount of loss in evaporation, a certain amount of loss in getting the water to South Australia, which takes off about 700 to 1,000 gigalitres, as I understand it. “So we may be relying on in-flows only for diversions. If in-flows are as bad as in 2002-03—the previous worst drought year before this one—then we might have 1,000 or 1,500 gigalitres in total in diversions.” Asked if there was an issue with the quality of the water, Dr Craik said, “The less water we have, the worse the quality is likely to get, particularly when you get to the bottom of dams.” Dr Craik said the MDBC was looking at doing some work on Hume Dam because it was possible that the lower water levels and higher temperatures could encourage the growth of blue-green algae. “We do have a regular water quality monitoring program in the Murray. This is an issue of great concern. Usually the way you get rid of those things is to put in more water, getting the water to move. We are a bit stuck for options,” she said. For a copy of the complete transcript go to www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S9720.pdf Community
Advisory Committee calls for continued drought support
The CAC is a formally appointed group of 21 people with a wide range of expertise and networks throughout the Basin. They advise the Ministerial Council, from a community viewpoint, on critical natural resource management issues including indigenous issues within the Basin. In a communiqué following their last meeting in November, members said: “We recognise that the drought has affected peoples’ capacity to undertake changes to the way they manage natural resources because of their need to focus on the immediate situation. “However, the drought has highlighted that there are a number of resource issues that must be addressed as a matter of urgency, including the need for a strategic reserve of water for essential supplies.” The CAC supports the decision of the Prime Minister and Premiers to:
“This is conditional on no market distortion, no compulsory acquisition, and compliance with the National Water Initiative. During this period, environmental water must be used sympathetically to gain maximum benefit and to minimise hardship. The long term aim must continue to be the health and welfare of our communities by protecting the productive capacity of rural industries and our natural heritage.” For more information contact Linda Kelly, Executive Officer on (02)62790532 or email linda.kelly@mdbc.gov.au Conference
to explore National Water Initiative
Organised by Land & Water Australia, the National Water Commission, the Australian National University and Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, the conference is entitled “Delivering the National Water Initiative: understanding the social and industry dimensions.” Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Hon Peter McGauran is opening the conference. Organisers say the conference provides a dialogue between research, industry and policy to address these challenges. It will help the implementation of the National Water Initiative by;
The conference is based on themes identified at an expert workshop in May 2005 and published in the Land and Water Australia publication “Water Perspectives”. For more information call (02) 6161 9024 or go to www.abcon.biz/Files/NWI_Conference_Brochure.pdf MDBC
Riverhealth Conference countdown kicks off
More than 90 primary and secondary school students and teachers from across the ACT watched while Murray-Darling Basin Commission Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik toasted the kick-off. The Canberra conference is scheduled to open celebrations for National Water Week in October 2007. Dr Craik said the current drought and challenges such as climate change emphasised the need for organisations like the MDBC to look at new ways to manage water and educate people, including Australia’s youth, on how to best use natural resources. She said students like those who will attend next year’s conference would have to live with the decisions now being made on these issues so it was critical that knowledge was transferred from this generation to the next. “The MDBC has a responsibility to educate young people on natural resource management and also to encourage them to pursue careers in these areas because these jobs will become increasingly important and available,” Dr Craik said. Conference organiser and winner of the Special Award Category for Outstanding Service to the Environment at this year’s UN Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards, Arron Wood, said the conference provided hands on, student-centred learning to bring about a cultural change and to raise awareness of the importance of environment education and the value of the “kids teaching kids” model of education. Mr Wood said students would leave the conference with advocacy skills, more knowledge about environmental issues within other communities and importantly, with more resilience, optimism and a sense of future. Also participating in the “countdown” was CSIRO Water for Healthy Country’s Dr Sarah Ryan and eWater Cooperative Research Centre Director Professor Gary Jones, whose organisations are also supporting the conference in 2007. The 2007 MDBC International River Health Conference will run from October 14 to 17 in 2007 and will build on what has become Australia’s premier environmental event for students. The event is proudly supported by the Murray Darling Basin Commission; National Water Commission; Questacon; University of Canberra; ACT Government; eWater CRC; Water for Rivers; Hotel Heritage; Landcare Australia Limited; Canberra Convention Bureau; and the National Capital Educational Tourism Project. For more information contact Arron Wood on 03 9329 3736 or arron@fire-starter.com.au Second
audit of Basin rivers’ health begins
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission’s (MDBC) Independent Sustainable Rivers Audit Group met to review the data collected by the jurisdictions in 2005/06 and to make preliminary observations. The Murray-Darling Basin is a network of streams and rivers stretching from the Condamine in south east Queensland to the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia. What happens in one part of the Basin impacts on other parts and it is essential to understand large scale changes to effectively manage the Basin's river resources. The Sustainable Rivers Audit is designed to measure the health of the rivers at this large Basin scale. The Audit uses scientific
indicators of health to determine the current status of the Basin's rivers
and any potential trends. Groups of indicators or “themes” include fish,
macroinvertebrates and hydrology.
The second annual implementation
report will be presented to the MDBC and the
For more information on the Sustainable Rivers Audit go to www.mdbc.gov.au/SRA New
executive director for Land & Water Australia
Dr Robinson replaces Andrew Campbell, who is leaving after seven years as Executive Director to start up a consultancy business. L&WA Chairman Mrs Bobbie Brazil said Dr Robinson had considerable experience in managing research and communication in the natural resource management field. In his most recent role as the CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting he was responsible for all aspects of leading and managing the CRC over its final two years. She said the major focus for Dr Robinson in the role was maximising the uptake of research results from the centre prior to its formal wind-up in June this year. Dr Robinson is a forester who completed his PhD in 1999 with CSIRO and the University of Melbourne, examining the sustainability of using wastes to fertilise plantation forests. His career has involved management roles within CSIRO's Division of Forestry and Forest Products and with Forest Research in New Zealand. Dr Robinson also worked with the Heartlands Initiative (a large, multi-agency, research and land-use change project working with landholders in southern NSW and northern Victoria). For more information contact Kaaren Latham on (02) 8204 3852, or go to http://www.lwa.gov.au/ Barkindji
people graduate with land management skills
The participants are members of the Wilyakali Aboriginal Corporation who operate “Poolamacca Station”, 70km north of Broken Hill. The Corporation received funding for the training course through the National Landcare Program, which is administered by the Western Catchment Management Authority (CMA). Chair of the Western CMA, Rory Treweeke, said that, over the past eight months, the group studied the elements needed to run a successful grazing enterprise, using both classroom and on-ground field exercises. “The course has given the local Barkindji people the skills and confidence to effectively manage their property,” Mr Treweeke said. The course covered all aspects of grazing business operations from land condition and management including rangeland, water soil, vegetation and landscape issues to pasture and stock management. It also included enterprise development and financial management and a human resources workshop that allowed participants to identify areas for future skills development and training. “The course has been designed specifically for Indigenous people to ensure it is delivered in a culturally sensitive way and is aligned with national training competencies,” Mr Treweeke said. For more information contact Maree Barnes, on (02) 6883 3058 Funds
roll out across Namoi Catchment
Namoi CMA has reviewed its procedures and has taken into consideration the prolonged drought and has decided that incentive funding will be available to all landholders in all parts of the Catchment. Previously, incentive funding was targeted to specific priority sub-catchments. Glenn Bailey, Catchment Coordinator with Namoi CMA said “this change is a significant benefit to a lot of landholders around Manilla and Barraba and landholders west of Narrabri towards Walgett. “Landholders in these areas will now be able to apply for funding to make improvements to soil health on the farm while providing benefits to the Catchment. “Funds from Namoi CMA are available for projects that result in changes to land management. The on-farm changes can be in program areas such as nature conservation, native revegetation, creek management, soil health and conservation and salinity management,” Mr Bailey said. Namoi CMA prefers projects that have components in a number of program areas, but realises, that in these dry times, landholders may only be able to make minor changes in one program area alone. “Namoi CMA is quite happy to accept any type of application at any time and we try and cut down on the ‘red tape’ so it is easy for landholders to apply.” For more information contact Anne Ferguson on (02) 6742 9202 or anne.ferguson@cma.nsw.gov.au Mapping
salinity & groundwater in NSW’s central west
The area under study stretches from Rawsonville Bridge (between Dubbo and Narromine) to Carinda, in a 40 - 80km wide corridor following the Macquarie River. The project is being conducted in a partnership between the Central West Catchment Management Authority and the Australian Government - Department of the Environment and Heritage, and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, through the Bureau of Rural Sciences. Aerial mapping is a key part of the project and will involve low-flying light aircraft equipped with electromagnetic (AEM) sensors to provide data on geology, groundwater and salt stores in the landscape. This information is important for future investment in and management of land and water resources in the lower Central West catchment. For more information go to http://www.cw.cma.nsw.gov.au/ Murrumbidgee
salinity projects ‘deliver the goods’
The projects are a joint venture between the Murrumbidgee CMA and Landcare. “Salinity has long been identified as a major issue in the Murrumbidgee catchment. As a result, the Murrumbidgee CMA and Landcare have undertaken targeted salinity and water quality projects to reduce the amount of salt and sediment flowing down the Murrumbidgee,” Mr Lee O’Brien said. The successful projects, operating in the sub-catchments of Kyeamba, Jugiong, Yass and Muttama, have seen the revegetation and protection of 370 hectares of high recharge country, planting of 130 hectares of salt tolerant pastures planted, installation of 13 erosion control structures and construction of 18 off-stream stock watering points. “Although we will not see the full reduction of salt and sediment for several years, modelling indicates that in Kyeamba Creek alone salt will be reduced by 2600 tonnes per year,” said Mr O’Brien. “The achievements of the projects highlight the positive environmental outcomes produced by partnerships between the Murrumbidgee CMA and the local community.” With the projects now entering phase two, Mr O’Brien is confident they will continue to deliver positive outcomes for the future health of the catchment For more information go to www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au/ Carpe
Diem! Anglers
‘seize the Day’ (and the carp)
Organised by Mallee Waterwatch, with Sunraysia Marine the major sponsor, the event was held at Mildura Rowing Club with a prize pool worth more than $1500. Mallee Catchment Management Authority Chief Executive Officer Jenny Collins said the day helped raise awareness about local water issues while removing some of the carp pest species from the Murray River. “The day is about raising awareness of river health issues including the damage cause by pest fish such as carp”. The day included a range of activities highlighting water issues such as protecting native fish and monitoring and improving water quality. Showbags, a jumping castle, electrofishing display, casting competition, face painting and a carp “cook up” and wine tasting kept participants entertained throughout the day. (And carpe diem? No connection, really…just Julius Caesar’s Latin dictum to “Seize the day!”) For more information contact David Scammell on (03) 5051 4374 or go to www.malleecma.vic.gov.au. Season’s
greetings from all of us at MDBC
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