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New South Wales Implementation Report 2004–2005

Driving Action 2: Protecting Fish Habitat

Highlight

The NSW Wetland Recovery Plan is a suite of projects developed to deliver long term and permanent benefits to ecologically significant wetlands through water efficiency projects, water buy-back and projects to improve wetland management in the Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir Wetlands over a minimum of four years. The NSW Government has pledged $13.4M towards the $26.8M Plan and is now seeking a matching commitment of $13.4M from the Australian Government, in order to implement the Wetland Recovery Plan in full.

Highlight

The DPI AER group continues its commitment of sampling for the SRA program, with the fish communities of the Darling, Murray-Riverina and Border Rivers (in cooperation with QDPI), Upper Murray (in cooperation with DSE Victoria) and Lower Murray (in cooperation with SARDI) catchments sampled in 2005. The Lachlan, Macquarie/Bogan, Namoi, Warrego (in cooperation with QDPI) and Paroo (in cooperation with QDPI) catchments are scheduled for sampling in 2006. Random sites coordinates have been provided by the MDBC and ground-truthing will commence in October 2005. 

Driving Action 2: Protecting Fish Habitat
Sub Action Establish a series of scientific reference sites that provide a representative system of recognised habitat types
Lead agency and partners DPI
Funding source MDBC
2004–05 projects and activities The DPI AER group continues its commitment to sampling for the SRA program, with the fish communities of the Darling, Murray-Riverina and Border Rivers (in cooperation with QDPI), Upper Murray (in cooperation with DSE Victoria) and Lower Murray (in cooperation with SARDI) catchments sampled in 2005. The Lachlan, Macquarie/Bogan, Namoi, Warrego (in cooperation with QDPI) and Paroo (in cooperation with QDPI) catchments are scheduled for sampling in 2006. Random sites coordinates have been provided by the MDBC and ground-truthing will commence in October 2005. 


Driving Action 2: Protecting Fish Habitat
Sub Action Implement environmental flow strategies where needed
Lead agency and partners DNR, DEC, DPI, CWCMA, BRCMA
Funding source NSW Government
2004–05 projects and activities The NSW Wetland Recovery Plan is a suite of projects developed to deliver long term and permanent benefits to ecologically significant wetlands through water efficiency projects, water buy-back and projects to improve wetland management in the Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir Wetlands over a minimum of four years. The NSW Government has pledged $13.4M towards the $26.8M Plan and is now seeking a matching commitment of $13.4M from the Australian Government, in order to implement the Wetland Recovery Plan in full. The Plan consists of the following priority investments:
  1. $3.4M for the Ecological Characterisation and Environmental Management Planning Project (Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir Wetlands) (awaiting Australian Water Fund dollars, due for completion June 2009);
  2. $3.75M for the purchase of Water Access Licences in the Macquarie/Cudgegong System for the Macquarie Marshes (underway);
  3. $4.8M for the Gunningbar and Marra Creek Systems Water Supply (Macquarie Marshes) (underway, due for completion June 2007);
  4. $2.1M for rehabilitation of Marebone Choke (Macquarie Marshes) (underway, due for completion June 2007);
  5. $2.03M for the Gingham Wetlands Stock and Domestic Pipeline (Gwydir Wetlands) (underway, due for completion June 2007);
  6. $10M for investment in additional environmental water by the Central West and Gwydir/Border Rivers Catchment Management Authorities (the relevant CMAs for the Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir Wetlands) (awaiting Australian Water Fund dollars); and
  7. $0.72M for management of the noxious weed Lippia in the Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir Wetlands (underway, due for completion June 2007).

Draft Environmental Management Plans are currently being developed for each wetland. The drafts will be available for consultation early in 2006.

This DNR-led Wetland Recovery Plan is being managed by a Project Control Group of senior executives, and an Interagency Working Group. The Wetland Recovery Plan Project Control Group will include representation from:

  • The NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR);
  • The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC);
  • The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI);
  • The Central West Catchment Management Authority (CW CMA), (with respect to the Macquarie Marshes);
  • The Border Rivers/Gwydir Catchment Management Authority (BRG CMA) (with respect to the Gwydir Wetlands); and
  • The Australian Government (representation to be advised).
The Wetland Recovery Plan Interagency Working Group will include representation from State Water in addition to the above members.
Lead agency and partners DPI, ARI
Funding source MDBC
2004–05 projects and activities Barmah Millewa Forum: the technical advisory committee (TAC) have developed fish environmental condition indicators to establish monitoring priorities for the effects of environmental water allocations (EWA).
Lead agency and partners DPI
Funding source MDBC
2004–05 projects and activities Darling Anabranch Pipeline, reinstatement of  Environmental  flows and blockback removal: In May 2005 Expressions of Interest  were called for the pipeline component of this project. The pipeline component of the project will come online in Dec 06, at which time the blockbank removal and Environmental flows components will commence.
Lead agency and partners DNR
Funding source NSW Government
2004–05 projects and activities Macro water sharing plans are being developed by the NSW Government in consultation with local communities, and will manage water use for unregulated rivers and groundwater not already covered by existing plans. Plans are currently being prepared by staff from the Departments of Natural Resources, Environment and Conservation and Primary Industries. Access and trading rules are being developed for each sub-catchment. Local Catchment Management Authorities will lead the community consultation process in their regions once plans have been finalised. Implementation of existing gazetted water sharing plans is underway.


Driving Action 2: Protecting Fish Habitat
Sub Action Investigate the benefits of a system of Habitat Management Areas to protect and enhance fish habitats and populations
Lead agency and partners DEC
Funding source NSW Government
2004–05 projects and activities The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is targeting wetlands in all parts of NSW to ensure the protection of a representative sample of these ecosystems within reserves. Reservation of nearly 41,000 ha of new wetland reserves in the Murray-Darling Basin, including 25,200 ha at Yanda, near Bourke, on the Darling River and 17,000 ha at Yanga, near Balranald on the Murrumbidgee, which includes the largest remaining area of formerly privately owned river red gum forest in the Basin


Driving Action 2: Protecting Fish Habitat
Sub Action Consult relevant communities about establishing Habitat Management Areas and scientific reference sites
Lead agency and partners DEC
Funding source DEC
2004–05 projects
and activities 		DEC are conducting cultural mapping of indigenous values in the Paroo and Macquarie wetlands.



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