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Murray-Darling Basin Commission
– June 2007, E-letter No 67
Welcome to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission 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 An online html version is available at www.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 www.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 1340 subscribers.
Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM recently said that Dartmouth and the Ovens Catchments had experienced their best runoffs since December 2005. “So in the last 17 months we've actually broken out of the pattern of every month being a record low month of inflows,” Dr Craik said. “In May, we got about 103 gigalitres in the Murray of inflows. The long-term average is 600, but the previous minimum for May was 75 gigalitres. “However, there is still a long way to go before the system returns to normal and water allocations at the beginning of the irrigation season in July are still likely to be zero.” “We can hope for more rain in the next few weeks and we’re confident that we have enough water to provide urban and critical stock and domestic needs for the coming year in the system. “But what we still need a lot more rain for irrigation and for the environment,” Dr Craik said. For the most up to date information on the state of the Murray system, inflows, storages and levels download the latest MDBC Weekly Report at www.mdbc.gov.au/subs/river-info/weekly-report/current_wr.pdf Basin ministers
concerned at effects of severe drought
In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting on 25 May in Adelaide they agreed to work cooperatively to minimise its effects wherever possible. The ministers also expressed deep concern at the record low inflows into the Murray System over the past year, coupled with the likely record low storage levels. Ministers confirmed that opening water allocations in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin are likely to be zero unless there are significant rains and inflows over the next couple of weeks. They discussed the potential longterm impacts of very low water availability on agriculture and directed the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) to make water available, if possible, in a way that is equitable, efficient and ensures sustainable use. The first priority for wate use is to ensure basic human consumption and to meet stock and domestic needs. The Council said development of policies and programs were under way to tackle risks to the shared water resources of the Basin, especially as the current drought may be a forerunner of likely climate change impact. The MDBC is working with partner governments to improve knowledge and understanding of how risks might impact on the Basin’s shared water resources. They are identifying actions that can reduce the level of risk or lessen their potential impact and they are identifying other potential risks. On water trading, the Council announced that it would enable permanent tagged water trading under the MDB Agreement from 1 July 2007 allowing NSW, Victoria and South Australia to conduct interstate tagged entitlement transfers. Tagging is a method in which the water that becomes allocated to an entitlement issued in one state can be physically taken in another. In essence, the state boundary is removed. Tagging means that water carries the characteristics and reliability at source. Victoria and South Australia will be able to continue interstate exchange rate entitlement transfers where agreed. In other decisions, the Council:
New Community
Advisory Committee chairman announced
Council Chair and Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull, announced his appointment in late May. The CAC is a formally appointed group of 23 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 across the Basin. “I’m very pleased to welcome Mr O’Brien to this position,” Mr Turnbull said. “As chair of this peak advisory group he will have an important role in ensuring a sustainable future for the Murray-Darling Basin.” Mr O'Brien and his wife Hetty run a sheep and cropping farmat Henty in NSW. Mr O’Brien has a strong background in sustainable agriculture and integrated resource management. He is Chairman of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority and a member of the Australian Landcare Council and his local Landcare group (Alma Par/Pleasant Hills). Mr Turnbull thanked the outgoing CAC Chairman, Mr Myles Treseder, for his “valued contribution to the Committee and the Murray-Darling Basin Initiative”. Mr Turnbull said the Australian Government was committed to managing the Basin in conjunction with those communities and industries that rely on the Murray-Darling Basin for their livelihood. For more information on the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s Community Advisory Committee go to www.mdbc.gov.au/about/community_advisory_committee Record low
diversions from Murray System
The “Cap” limits water diversions on 22 individual river valleys throughout the Basin. It has been operating in NSW, Victoria and South Australia since July 1997. During the period covered by the latest report, arrangements in Queensland and ACT were still being negotiated. The Cap on diversions places an upper limit on the volumes of water that can be diverted from rivers within the Basin for irrigation developments, industrial purposes, urban water supplies and other uses. The States are responsible for implementing the Cap in their jurisdictions and the MDBC is ultimately responsible for the success of the Cap through auditing and reporting. The latest annual review was released by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in Adelaide on 25 May. The 2005/06 audit identifies progress in each of the states and ACT in establishing and/or operating the Cap. The key issues were:
Discussions with Commonwealth/State/Territory officers highlighted the shortage across all the science/engineering and related professions associated with water resource management. The report recommends that a strategy be developed in partnership with other stakeholders to attract more skilled resources into the water sector for the short and long term. The report found that diversions in South Australia were all within the annual Cap targets and Victoria’s were below annual climate and trade-adjusted Cap targets. Diversion in New South Wales in 2005/06 were 4987 GL compared with 3666 GL in 2004/05. Diversions in the combined Barwon-Darling/ Lower Darling Valleys were cumulatively 143 GL above Cap, and above the combined trigger for “Special Auditing of 62 GL.” The Special Audit determined that the combined Barwon-Darling/Lower Darling Cap valley continued to be in breach of the long-term diversion Cap. Auditors were unable to assess the Cap compliance of the NSW Border Rivers because the Cap had not been defined in that valley. The IAG has previously expressed concern that the Border Rivers will be found to be in breach once a Cap is defined. A Cap and an agreed Water Management Plans are expected to be completed in June 2007, but the first data will not be available until the 2007/08 year. At the recent MDB Ministerial Council, NSW advised that the cap management arrangements for the Barwon-Darling/Lower Darling Valley would be implemented in 2007-08. Ministers warmly supported NSW’s commitment to limit diversions to cap limits in the future. Queensland’s diversions in 2005/06 were estimated at 305 GL, the third lowest since 1993/94. (Cap figures for Queensland Murray-Darling Basin valleys have not yet been set, so it was not possible to compare actual use and Cap targets). Council ministers approved Queensland Cap proposals for the Paroo, Nebine, Warrego and Moonie rivers. The ACT reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a Cap. Net diversions of 32 GL in 2005/06 were consistent with the average usage between 1989 and 2006 of 31 GL and were also less than a possible climate-adjusted annual Cap target of 36.8 GL. The ACT would have a cumulative credit of 62.8 GL if the Cap of 38 GL notionally used by the IAG had applied since July 1997. The auditors said the ACT should complete its consideration of the form and size of a Cap to apply to the ACT by early 2007 and finalise agreement on the actual Cap by October 2007. A full copy of the IAG Review of Cap Implementation 2005-06 is available for download at www.mdbc.gov.au/__data/page/1658/IAG2005-6-full.pdf Report
highlights salt interception successes
The Basin Salinity Management Strategy Annual Implementation Report 2005-06 was released at a meeting of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council in Adelaide on 25 May 2007. The Strategy guides communities and governments in working together to control salinity and protect key natural resource values within their catchments. It establishes targets for the in-stream salinity of major tributary valleys and the Murray-Darling system as a whole. This latest report found that the new interception schemes, together with existing schemes, are now diverting over 1300 tonnes of salt from entering the Murray system every day. Together with improved irrigation efficiency and the impact of the drought, these schemes have contributed to a recorded salinity at Morgan in South Australia (the Basin’s salinity target site) of 484 EC or less for 95 per cent of the time. The Commission operates nine salt interception schemes along the River Murray. These schemes are large-scale groundwater pumping and drainage projects that intercept saline groundwater and surface drainage flows before they enter the river. The report found that the Strategy’s governance and reporting arrangements, which depend on a coordinated and co-operative approach between governments, significantly improved in 2005-06. This culminated in the application of improved data sets to thoroughly re-assess the salinity costs and benefits to the River of land use change and water use. The report commented that actions during 2005-06, together with past achievements, had set a solid foundation for future salinity management. However it identified a future challenge from an expected rise in salinity levels following the next significant wet period that includes a large flooding event. More water moving through the rivers and underground will re-mobilise salt so that river salinity will re-emerge as a management issue. The Ministers also released a companion report, the Report of the Independent Audit Group – Salinity (IAG-Salinity). In particular, the auditors commended salinity management activities including work on:
A free copy of the Independent Audit Group – Salinity is available at www.mdbc.gov.au/__data/page/1658/BSMS_2005-06IAGReport.pdf Hattah Lakes
watering boosts waterbirds, native fish
Murray-Darling Basin Commission Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said the ecological improvement had allowed breeding by colonial water birds, Black Duck, Wood Duck and other waterbird species. She said populations of some wetland fish such as Murray Cod, Silver Perch, Golden Perch and smaller native fish species were observed in the lakes. “They are likely to have moved into the system as larvae with the pumped water,” Dr Craik said. “An improvement to about 50 per cent of the Lakes’ aquatic vegetation probably gave the fish a boost too. It’s obvious that even this amount of minimal watering of 13.545 gigalitres, despite the continuing dry conditions, has created substantial environmental benefits,” she said. The Hattah Lakes area is one of the six so called “icon sites” which are targeted for environmental improvement under the Murray-Darling Basin Commission’s The Living Murray program, which aims to protect and improve the health of the Murray River. “Unfortunately, the continuing drought and the lack of environmental watering has had a negative impact on the health of all the icon sites. “The availability of water for the environment depends on overall water availability,” Dr Craik said. “If the drought continues and there is water only for human consumption, the icon sites will not receive any.” The Living Murray program started with the “first step” decision, which involves investing $500 million in water recovery over five years and spending $150 million over eight years on construction activities. The other icon sites are:
The Hattah Lakes comprise eleven lakes which are home to more than 30 species of water-dependent birds and vegetation including River Red Gums and Lignum. For more information on The living Murray program go to http://thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au/ Fish learn
survival skills through MDBC funded project
The Native Fish Strategy is a visionary plan which aims to restore native fish populations to 60 per cent of their estimated pre-European settlement levels within 50 years. This latest project is unusual and is being undertaken by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries at the Southern Fisheries Centre, at Deception Bay. DPI&F fisheries biologist Dr Michael Hutchison said the $400,000 study is looking to develop techniques which will allow endangered fish species to greatly boost their chances of survival when they are released into the wild. The project will train fish to seek shelter and avoid predators in natural conditions. It is the first of its kind in Australia that will release trained fish en masse into the wild. The majority of similar studies known worldwide have been entirely tank based or focused on fish being released into ponds and not natural waterways. Hatchery reared fish are generally protected from attack by predators as part of the rearing process in ponds and tanks. Fish reared to large sizes may also become used to a diet of pellets. Fish don’t have to fight hard to survive in hatcheries which provide ideal growing environments, however this dramatically changes once they are released back into the wild and have to fend for themselves. Research indicates that if hatchery reared fish escape predation in the first 24 hours, their survival rates go up tremendously. “This project is particularly relevant because it is seeking to reduce hatchery domestication effects by training endangered species such as Murray cod, silver perch and the eel tailed catfish to recognise predators and to react to them. The training of larger fish will also teach them how to recognised wild and live foods,” Dr Hutchison said. For more information go to www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/far/12389.html For more information on the MDBC Native Fish Strategy go to www.mdbc.gov.au/NFS Looking for
young rural innovators
The Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is a national program that provides grants for scientific research and work to develop better on-farm technology and practices. “The awards are open to people aged 18 to 35 who have ideas for projects that will deliver longterm benefits to our agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food and natural resource management industries,” the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr McGauran. Said when he recently opened the application round for the 2007 Awards. “This year, there are 18 awards on offer – 10 that are industry-based, as well as one from each State and Territory,” he said. “The awards not only help kick-start the careers of talented young Australians, but deliver long-term benefits to our farmers and rural communities,” Mr McGauran said. Previous Science and Innovation Award projects include research into parasites affecting farmed crocodiles, a method of using plants to extract precious metals from soil, and developing a specialised export industry from Australian wheaten hay. Applications close on Friday 15 June 2007. For more information and application form go www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards New tool to help
farmers identify salinity problems
Manufactured and marketed by Sentek Sensor Technologies, the new device places effective salinity management within the reach of all growers. The product, the Sentek SoluSAMPLER™, was recently launched by South Australian Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen. It is described as an inexpensive and simple-to-use device which helps growers monitor the emerging problem of root zone salinity, which particularly effects grape and citrus under highly efficient irrigation systems. It draws moisture from the surrounding soil and stores it in an inert ceramic cup. The water samples can be checked using an EC or salinity meter. If growers want to go further and check nutrient levels, water samples collected by the Sentek SoluSAMPLER™ can be analysed at a laboratory. They say that if left unchecked, salinity damage could cost the $2 billion Riverland and Sunraysia horticulture industries $100 million a year. For more information go to www.sentek.com.au Inaugural
Lower Murray Landcare Awards applications open
Applications are open to all and are not restricted to members of formal landcare groups. Category winners will receive a plaque and $1000 towards the costs of attending the State Awards presentation night in Tamworth. Each category will be judged by a panel of three based on the written application. Regional winners will be eligible to enter the NSW State Landcare Awards for 2007. There are three categories for the awards for Lower Murray Darling:
Nominations close Friday 15th June 2007. For more information and to obtain an entry form contact the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority on 03 5021 9460 or go to www.lmd.cma.nsw.gov.au ends
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