Criteria for assessing options for Commonwealth environmental water use
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
The use of Commonwealth environmental water must be consistent with the requirements of the Water Act 2007 (relevant functions are outlined in sec 105). This includes a requirement that the environmental water holdings be managed in accordance with the environmental watering plan developed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
A long-term framework for the prioritisation of environmental water allocations has been prepared in consultation with delivery partners, interested stakeholders/experts and with our Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Panel.
The framework includes ecological objectives that will change under different water availability scenarios (extreme dry, dry, moderate, wet, very wet). Proposed watering actions will need to be supported by the adequate provision of available evidence and be consistent with the current water availability scenario and the framework. Through adaptive management processes, we will consider any opportunities for a more informed and diverse range of water uses as knowledge and modelling improves.
Commonwealth environmental water is being acquired to supplement existing flows. Proposals for use of the water will not be agreed if this use substitutes for other water including historical system operations (e.g. provision of water for conveyance, stock and domestic, or planned environmental water).
Proposals are assessed against the following criteria:
1. The ecological significance of the asset(s).
Issues to be considered:
- 1.1 the presence of threatened species and ecological communities, and listed migratory species; and
- 1.2 the ecological and conservation values of the assets(s) including those recognised by international agreements.
2. The expected ecological outcomes from the proposed watering action.
Issues to be considered:
- 2.1 how well defined and realistic the objectives are for the proposed watering action;
- 2.2 the consistency of these objectives with the ecological objectives for the current forecast water availability scenario;
- 2.3 the current health of the asset(s);
- 2.4 the improvement in health of the asset(s) expected from the watering action;
- 2.5 the basin-wide significance of the ecological response from the watering action;
- 2.6 any secondary environmental effects expected to result from the watering action (e.g. connected system benefits); and
- 2.7 the change in the health of the asset(s) expected if environmental water is not provided.
3. The potential risks of the proposed watering action at the site and at connected locations.
Issues to be considered will include:
- 3.1 how thoroughly the potential risks have been assessed for the proposed watering;
- 3.2 the adequacy of measures proposed to minimise these risks; and
- 3.3 the likelihood and consequence of variance from the expected ecological outcome (including negative impacts on biota and water quality).
4. The long-term sustainability of the asset(s) including appropriate management arrangements.
Issues to be considered will include:
- 4.1 the adequacy of long-term management and delivery arrangements;
- 4.2 the existence of complementary natural resource management activities supporting the long-term management arrangements, including those that improve water quality; and
- 4.3 the effectiveness of monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements for the watering activity including clear links to the defined objectives.
5. The cost effectiveness and operational feasibility of undertaking the watering.
Issues to be considered will include:
- 5.1 the amount of Commonwealth water and resources needed, including relative to the contribution of the State and delivery partner to (i) the watering event and (ii) subsequent monitoring of actions and outcomes;
- 5.2 the arrangements for the delivery of water to the asset(s), including the potential for transmission losses and the adequate accounting of flows;
- 5.3 opportunity to supplement natural flows or other water releases; and
- 5.4 the operational feasibility of undertaking the watering action (e.g. channel capacity, infrastructure constraints, etc.).