BRI D GING NEWSLETTER OF THE Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust

Spring 2012 ISSN 2200-1654 www.petercullentrust.com.au No. 4

Science to Policy Leadership Program 2012 CONTENTS The Trust’s 2012 Science to Policy into land, water and environment Science to Policy leadership 2012 1 Leadership Program is about to get management and policy. Fellow trials wetlands as storages 1 underway! Fellows 2012 presentation & dinner 2 Most participants this year live in NSW Trust focuses on leadership 2 Fifteen participants have been selected. or ACT, unlike the two previous years Odd spot: Peter Cullen Way 2 They are in early or mid career and when (2010) and Queensland National Water Commission anew 3 keen to grow in their capacity to further (2011) tended to be the main source Fellows’ 2010 writings & video 5 science-based policy and management of states. Northern Territory is again Friend’s views, Fellows’ 2011 news 6 water and environment. represented, as is Western . Friends’ writings & news 7 Meet the 2012 participants 8 Like the 29 who have already graduated During the group’s training, they can RipRap is back 8 as Fellows of the Trust, this year’s expect to meet with influential figures in Sponsors of the Trust & programs 9 participants will be challenged by two science, policy, politics, land management Letter from a Friend 10 intense sessions of training in leadership and environment, who willingly share and communication. The second session their accumulated experience. Leith that SKM, the Queensland Government will culminate on 15 November at Boully, who leads the program for (Dept of Natural Resources and the 2012 Fellows Presentation and the Trust, has extensive experience Mines), and the Upper Murrumbidgee Graduation (see page 2). herself in bridging policy, science No. 01 Catchment Coordinating Committee and community interests in order to This year’s group (see page 8) comprises with ACTEW are again sponsoring the improve management of water, land and approximately equal numbers of people program. This year they are joined by environmental resources in Australia. working as scientists, policy-makers or Eco Logical Australia, the Murray-Darling managers in government or community Generous sponsorship helps cover the Basin Authority, CSIRO and the Cotton organisations. Several of the group are costs involved in these annual leadership Research & Development Corporation bringing their science backgrounds programs. The Trust is very pleased with Cotton Australia.

Read about the National Water Commission on pages 3–4.

Fellow trials using wetlands as storages * It is estimated that more than half of Australia’s wetlands may no longer receive the inflows they need to sustain ecological values. Yet water is commonly piped directly past them. Actively filling floodplain wetlands in south-eastern Australia in winter/spring, using water destined for irrigation purposes, could help maintain wetland ecosystems while making water available, on-hand, for productive use by landholders during summer. Geoff Vietz, River Basin Management Society Fellow (2010) of the Peter Cullen Trust, with colleagues, has been testing the idea of storing water in wetlands (like the one at left) near the farming region along the Broken River in Victoria. They found naturally-timed inundation of test wetlands, with staged drawdown later, boosts the wetlands’ natural plant and zooplankton populations. Populations of aquatic plants and zooplankton were comparable to (and sometimes richer than) the populations in other test-filled wetlands that were allowed to respond naturally to rain and evaporation. Mesocosms gave similar results. Photo: Geoff Vietz Continued page 5 Graduation event 2012

You are invited to the 2012 Fellows Presentation and Graduation dinner, in the late afternoon–evening of Thursday 15 November. Please contact the Trust office to book your seats: phone 02 6206 8606 or email [email protected] . Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO Guest speaker: MC, Friend of the Peter Cullen Trust, will Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC be guest speaker at the dinner. The newly graduated Fellows for 2012 will speak at the Fellows Presentation that precedes the dinner. This combined event is a chance to meet Fellows and Friends of the Trust, and to share discussions with colleagues concerned with the science, policy and management of Australian waters and environments. 15 November Place: The conference centre (Fellows’ Presentation) and The Deck restaurant Regatta Point,

(Graduation dinner), both at Regatta www.alisonpouliot.com Photo: Point, Commonwealth Park, Canberra. Dress: Smart casual or business wear. Fundraising auction at the Graduation dinner Tickets for dinner (all inclusive): $85 The Fellows graduation dinners include a silent auction of wonderful items donated or $70 if you are a Friend of the Trust to help raise funds for the Trust. These and other donations add to the $1 million or $ 0 if you donate $150 to support the seed funding from the National Water Commission in 2009, and help ensure the Trust’s work. Trust will be bridging water science and policy for many years to come. Donations of $2 or more to the Amazing paintings, glassware, books, furniture, jewellery and adventures were among Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust items donated for the last two auctions. What will there be this year? If you have are fully tax-deductible. something to donate for the auction, please email [email protected]

Programs for 2013 focus on the leadership program Odd spot

The Board of the Peter Cullen Water & to Policy Leadership Program. Mentoring A road in the new Canberra suburb, Environment Trust has decided that from is arranged between Fellows and Friends ‘Wright’, has been named in honour of now on the Trust will focus its effort of the Trust, so that Fellows continue the late Professor Peter Cullen AO. on delivering Leadership Programs and to be supported in their ongoing supporting the Trust’s Fellows. professional development. This is a continuous program open only to The Leadership Program is the flagship Fellows. activity of the Peter Cullen Trust, and is well regarded. Focusing on one type Fellows blog: The Fellows will soon of activity has economies of scale, have a blog on the Peter Cullen Trust and allows the Trust to streamline its website, where meetings can be processes. arranged, important current issues can be discussed or debated and Fellows can Apart from the Leadership Program work as colleagues, planning conferences itself, the Trust, with its valued Friends, or helping with each others’ work. is continuing to support the Fellows via mentoring, networking opportunities, Fellows gatherings: Fellows meet at enabling collective initiatives and ongoing least annually as well as in regional professional development. groups, to maintain and expand their network. Coordinators: Dr Philip Fellows Mentoring Program: This Wallis and Dr Sarina Loo, via office@ program is an extension of the Science petercullentrust.com.au

Managing Editor: Dr Sandy Hinson. Editor, designer, layout: Ann Milligan. Photos: contributors or Peter Cullen Trust.

2 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 A new era for the National Water Commission by Lynne Griffiths

The name is the same, but 1 July 2012 heralded a new era for the National Water Commission

Created by the Australian Government Changing directions Remaining challenges following the Council of Australian Under its amended Act, the While these Raising National Water Government’s (COAG) National Water Commission’s core functions will be Standards resources add to the growing Initiative (NWI) in 2004, the National monitoring, audit and assessment. This body of knowledge underpinning Water Commission had responsibility means the Commission will continue to improved water management, as the for overseeing water reform progress provide strong, transparent and public Commission identified in its 2011 under that historic agreement. reporting on water reform progress. assessment, the most difficult reform issues are yet to be resolved. Eight years on, a sunset clause in the At the same time, it is envisaged that initial National Water Commission Act the Commission will undertake broader These centre on the contest between 2004 triggered an independent review advocacy activities to promote national water for the environment and water of the Commission. Under its terms of reform objectives. for production, the restoration of reference, the COAG review was to overallocated water systems, and explicit There are also some changes. The answer two key questions: recognition of the social and economic Commission’s assessments of progress • Which functions of the Commission impacts of water planning. Now, as by governments in implementing the should continue or commence? much as ever, the Murray-Darling Basin NWI will now take place on a triennial planning process has illustrated the • What are the options and rather than biennial basis. Its number of complexity of these questions. institutional arrangements for commissioners was reduced from seven carrying out these functions in the to five. One of the Commission’s current tasks future? is to audit the effectiveness of the Operationally, the closure of the implementation of the Murray-Darling The review report handed to Raising National Water Standards Basin Plan and associated water resource government in December 2011 Program on 30 June 2012 means that plans, as a requirement set out in the concluded: the Commission will no longer be Water Act. ‘The elements of the NWI still to be able to support practical initiatives in implemented are, by their nature, the jurisdictions to enhance water data, The first audit is due on 3 March 2013, more difficult ones and the role that can science, innovation and socio-economic with future audits being undertaken at be played by a specialist and independent analysis. least every five years thereafter. The body like the NWC is likely to be even objective of the initial audit is to assess That said, the Raising National Water more important in the future.’ whether the Commonwealth and state Standards Program is still delivering governments are on track to meet their Endorsing the messages delivered by outputs that are advancing water science obligations under the Murray-Darling the Commission in its 2011 biennial and management as the Commission Basin Plan. assessment, which assessed the impact completes some significant projects. of the NWI over the past seven years, The lessons learned over the past eight Crucially, the program has created the COAG review found the initiative years will inform the Commission’s a legacy that will continue to serve remains a relevant and active reform approach to its forward work program future research and development, water agenda supported by most stakeholders. and emerging water challenges. planning and management. The strong It also noted that while significant ties that the Commission has fostered Given the prospect of increased climate achievements had been made, by working with its partners across the variability, new demands on the resource completion of some of the key water sector should also be an enduring and an inevitable return to drought, the objectives had been delayed due to the legacy. sustainable management of Australia’s technical complexity and water is an enduring national imperative. political difficulty of some With its renewed water reform mandate, of the reforms. the Commission will continue to provide The review therefore Australia’s independent voice on national recommended that the water issues. Commission continue Ideally, the Commission’s next for the life of the NWI, assessment of progress under the NWI, with essentially the same due in 2014, will find that renewed functions. leadership on water reform has locked In response, the Australian in hard-won gains, insured Australia Government decided to against future risks, protected fragile renew the Commission’s environments, and given Australians role in providing oversight increased confidence that they will have of the COAG national enough water to meet future demands. water reform agenda. Continued on page 4

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 3 A new era for the National Water Commission continued

Corporation, together with related SA Commissioners Water Board Committees. In June, the Hon. Karlene Maywald was Three commissioners were also appointed Chair of the Commission. reappointed: Director of the Australian Karlene brings a high level of expertise in Rivers Institute Professor Stuart Bunn; water resource management to her new former Chief Executive Officer of the role. She was ’s Minister Australian Water Association and long- for Water Security and the River Murray Hon. Karlene Maywald time water reform advocate Chris Davis; during one of the worst drought periods Chair of the National Water Commission and former Chief Executive Officer in living memory; she has a long-standing of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority track record in water management; and including the Murray-Darling Basin Robert Freeman. They will be joined by a she is passionate about water reform in Ministerial Council, the Natural Resource fifth commissioner, yet to be appointed. Australia. Management Ministerial Council, the Together with her extensive ministerial Primary Industries Ministerial Council Note: Hon. Karlene Maywald, Stuart Bunn appointments and portfolio experience and the Regional Development and Chris Davis are also Friends of the Peter in South Australia, Karlene has served on Ministerial Council. She has also served Cullen Trust, as is James Cameron, CEO of numerous national ministerial councils as a board member of the SA Water the National Water Commission.

With its renewed water reform mandate, the Commission will continue to provide Australia’s independent voice on national water issues

Recent and upcoming products Recognising ecosystem services Recent Commission reports have Water planning in Australia has a well-established tradition of incorporating benefits focused on low-flow regimes and related associated with consumptive uses of water from aquatic systems, for example ecosystems, and on the important but irrigation and bulk town water supply. all too often overlooked ecosystem Less emphasis has been placed on identifying and incorporating additional services provided by aquatic systems. ‘ecosystem-service’ benefits such as flood mitigation, improved drainage, better Other landmark groundwater projects water quality and lower water-treatment costs. are nearing completion. A national atlas Because of their ‘non-market’ nature, these benefits are difficult to value of groundwater-dependent ecosystems quantitatively. Other non-extractive ecosystem-service benefits of aquatic systems has been developed to address a that support our wellbeing, for instance recreational amenity and cultural values, are significant knowledge gap in the even more difficult to quantify. understanding and management of these important systems. The atlas, which will A new Waterlines report produced by the National Water Commission, Recognising be hosted by the Bureau of Meteorology, the broader benefits of aquatic systems in water planning: an ecosystem services approach, will provide a web-based portal offering aims to encourage a more comprehensive, systematic and transparent consideration access to a consistent, nationwide of the multiple benefits of aquatic systems in water planning. inventory of groundwater-dependent It will better equip water planners and managers to account for these broader ecosystems. ecosystem services and apply this concept in practice, by helping them to identify, A baseline assessment of groundwater describe, explain and communicate monitoring and management in Australia their public benefits. will report on the current status of The approach has been designed to groundwater monitoring infrastructure complement current planning practices across the country and broader planning by providing ideas, tools and examples and management practices. that can be taken up at several points in Another associated project has water plan development. developed a standard economic valuation It will support explicit identification and framework for groundwater to assess consideration of public benefits and the value of groundwater nationally ecosystem services, as is recognised in and inform decisions about efficient Australian water policies including the investment in resource management National Water Initiative. including use.

Emeritus Prof. Angela Arthington (left) and Dr Fran Sheldon with National Water The author, Lynne Griffiths, is Commissioner Prof. Stuart Bunn who Director of Communication opened the Commission’s ‘Highs and lows and Parliamentary Liaison at the of river and wetland health’ workshop in National Water Commission, and March 2012, and released three reports a Friend of the Peter Cullen Trust. concerning water-dependent ecosystems.

4 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 Have you seen ...? New reports and video news from 2010 Fellows *

Fellow (Dr Geoff Vietz) trials using News from Dr Clare Taylor New video on wetlands — news from wetlands as storages Clare (a member of Deborah Nias and Tyler Smith ...continued from page 1 the National Water ‘Life flowing back into wetlands’ is a Commission) writes: Importantly, landholders could benefit new video, at http://bit.ly/OESqTt . “I’ve been involved in from having immediate access to some publications that Landholders and others who live along water in summer without the delays might interest readers of the lower reaches of the Murray-Darling of ordering and delivery. The wetlands the Trust newsletter. speak to us from the screen about their could act as distributed storages, positive experiences of environmental reducing often harmful unseasonal high 1. Assessing water stress in Australia’s flows into wetlands. flows in the river. catchments and aquifers — this highlights catchments and aquifers across Australia Tyler Freeman-Smith (film-maker) and For most benefit to floodplain and river with high levels of water stress that Dr Deborah Nias (client), both of whom ecology the water needs to enter in may need more detailed investigation are Fellows of the Trust, have produced winter/spring, when the river is naturally and discussion to assess this video — an initiative of Murray– high, and remain there till late summer. A potential overuse or Darling Wetlands Ltd — to tell the world complete cycle of germination–seed-set overallocation of water. how everyone can support ecological takes wetland plants at least 3 months. See restoration of the Murray-Darling via For waterbirds, breeding–fledging can http://www.nwc.gov.au/ environmental flows. take 3–10 months. Fringing red gums publications/topic/planning/ should also benefit. “Our company felt there weren’t enough water-stress positive stories about environmental Total wetland capacity along the river 2. Investigating low flows, especially from private landholders can supply only a small proportion of the flows for improved water planning and where most of the wetlands are”, total demand for irrigation water, and management. This has two components: explains Deborah. “People telling their the trial raised other questions yet to own stories on video is a very powerful be answered. However, it found that, in a) the ‘Low Flow Ecological Response medium, and because I knew and trusted spite of seepage and evaporation, a large and Recovery’ project that has produced: Tyler’s approach to film-making, our wetland is likely to retain enough water (i) a low-flow classification of streams company was keen to see what sort of for emergency irrigation purposes in and rivers across Australia, (ii) a synthesis magic he could weave for us and the summer. of ecological responses to low flows based on 11 case studies across landholders. If there is agreement by stakeholders, Australia that analysed hydro-ecological “We think it is a great story — the including environmental water managers, relationships for low flows, (iii) a suite of landholders tell it as it is — we didn’t water authorities and landholders, hydrological and ecological indicators to script it or put words into their mouths. then using wetlands as irrigation water function as early warning, diagnostic or It all comes from them, and Tyler has storages may be a win–win solution compliance indicators for the onset of, put it together beautifully. The video also during dry periods when wetland and recovery from, low-flow situations, appears on the website of the Murray- ecosystems are under stress. and low-flow-appropriate monitoring Darling Basin Authority which generously For details, www.frm.unimelb.edu.au/ methods, (iv) a review of low-flow helped to support the project.” modern-river-operating-systems-report.pdf literature, (v) 11 case studies; Tyler writes: “Through my work I’m b) the ‘Low Flow Hydrological privileged to meet many inspiring Modelling’ project that has produced: landholders and see a lot of beautiful (i) a stocktake and review of current Geoff also sends the country. From an early morning zooming models and modelling practices relevant news that he is currently up the Murray, to finding a character to low flows, (ii) four case studies Acting President like Ivan the pump operator, this story trialling improvements to low-flow of the River Basin proved to be as interesting to shoot as modelling, (iii) guidelines on model data Management Society the subject was controversial. It’s great requirements, model selection, model and was facilitator of the working on documentaries that provide calibration (processes and performance) August seminar on Natural Resources a fresh perspective, and I’m looking and transposition methods. See Management, ‘What are we doing now forward to collaborating with Deb on that we may regret?’. His focus now is on http://www.nwc.gov.au/rnws/ecosystems/ her next project.” the impacts of urbanisation on stream low-flows The video is at: http://bit.ly/OESqTt conditions, and opportunities under a 3. Recognising the broader benefits water-sensitive city. He spoke on this of aquatic systems in water planning: at the annual meeting of the Society an ecosystem services approach. This for Freshwater Science this year in report (see also p. 4) gives guidance on Louisville, USA. He is also a coauthor of acknowledging the ‘public good’ benefits an article on urban water and ecosystem provided by rivers and wetlands in water services, published in the Singapore- allocation planning. See based magazine City Green: Issue 5, http://nwc.gov.au/publications/waterlines/87 .” ‘Water and the City’. Dr Deborah Nias

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 5 Have you seen ...? Friends’ writings and points of view *

Alert! Irrigation R&D drying up Commonwealth and state funding Our history and geography teaches us have taken investors with them, while that water management is central to Prof. Andrew Campbell, Charles Darwin eroding professional capacity. Since the food policy. If we leave our foot off the University (Extracts from his articles in wet La Niña years of 2010 and 2011, pedal of water and irrigation research, ‘The Conversation’, 3 and 8 August 2012) the phenomenon of the ‘hydro-illogical the food security aspirations of our Andrew is a Founding Friend of the cycle’ — in which the appetite for leaders will be extremely difficult to Peter Cullen Trust. water reform (and irrigation research) is realise. inversely proportional to rainfall — has The Government and Opposition have Andrew acknowledges assistance from Peter flourished. been spruiking Australia’s capacity to Day, formerly of the NPSI, in harvesting feed a growing world population. Yet It could be argued that all publicly funded knowledge from that program. Australia’s financial and institutional research programs have a natural life To read the full articles, visit commitments to long-term R&D on span and that 20 years of irrigation- http://bit.ly/NNj54W at water and irrigation are at a 20-year low focused R&D is a good run. point, particularly since the National These arguments would be valid if http://theconversation.edu.au Program for Sustainable Irrigation (NPSI) Australia had complemented its water closed down in June. policy reforms and program investments This has major long-term implications with a nationally coordinated, collaborative for Australia’s capability to manage water approach to water research funding. and to maintain food production in the Unfortunately, no such framework for face of a more difficult climate and rising investment in water R&D exists. real energy prices, let alone to feed more There are of course continuing national people in other countries. investments in water research, including From 1993 to 2012, we had national at CSIRO, the National Centre for programs of irrigation R&D, involving Groundwater Research and Training led governments, irrigators, water providers, by and the new CRC and researchers from across Australia. for Water Sensitive Cities led by Monash They worked on every aspect of University. irrigation — from dam management But there has been a substantial decline and water delivery, through on- in nationally coordinated, collaborative farm management, to minimising research initiatives focused on irrigation, An apparently sceptical Peter Cullen listens environmental impacts. There are when our need for world-leading as Mike Logan (a former Peter Cullen Trust numerous legacies of these R&D research is arguably greater than ever. Board Director) discusses soil moisture programs that were maintained with a monitoring and irrigation scheduling software relatively modest investment of less than Our pool of expertise is in danger of at his property at Narrabri NSW, March 2005 $3 million per year. being syphoned away by closures and budget cuts. Photos: Andrew Campbell, [email protected] Ostensibly, the next phase of coordinated national irrigation research activity is being managed through the 2011 Fellows’ news Water Use in Agriculture RD&E Strategy, Dr Carolina Casaril (Queensland) led by the Australian government has graduated through its National Primary Industries from her PhD RD&E Framework. in ‘integrative However, this document focuses more systems’ looking on process than presenting an exciting, at optimal design Furrow irrigation near Hay NSW, 2008 coherent national strategy. It falls and management Let’s not put the brakes on innovation. far short of setting out a compelling of constructed The tough reality is that to produce research agenda that would attract wetlands for water-intensive fresh food, meat and bright young scientists or industry multiple purposes. Recently she milk, we need to relentlessly improve partners considering long-term attended World Water Week in our use and management of water investments. Stockholm, and she has set up a where industries, infrastructure and science editing service at While these limitations are probably www.criticalediting.com consumers are located. driven by budget constraints (no Looking back on water R&D programs government has allocated serious Dr Michael Douglas (Darwin) is we see a cross-sectoral approach funding to it), in my view they also reflect in the USA on a 7-month Fulbright operating across jurisdictions, industries the absence of a dedicated champion Scholarship project, visiting groups and agencies, readily sharing resources to drive strategy development and doing river research focused on and results. But recent declines in implementation. supporting policy and management.

6 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 Friends’ writings* and news

Analysing challenges in Monitoring of such complex systems ‘Drought and Aquatic translational ecology may need to be improved, he says, ‘to generate better evidence of what works Ecosystems: Effects and ‘We require a more and what does not’. Aspects he highlights Responses’ transparent dialogue from the papers include: longer-term Sam Lake, Friend of the Peter Cullen between science and the monitoring; ‘interim outcomes’ to guide Trust and Emeritus Professor at Monash broader community about further management action; and fresh University, is the author of Drought and what is possible in desirable thinking about the structures of complex Aquatic Ecosystems: Effects and Responses, time frames.’ systems and the scale of their dynamic published in 2011 by interactions. So writes Professor Graham Harris, Wiley-Blackwell. Friend of the Peter Cullen Trust, now Also: From the Wiley website: Hon. Professorial Fellow, SMART ‘Some more critical analysis of both Droughts are a Infrastructure Facility, University of scientific shortcomings and policy goals Wollongong, in introducing ‘Achieving major hazard to (particularly in densely populated both natural and Ecological Outcomes’ (special issue, landscapes) is in order. … Freshwater Biology 2012). human-dominated We require more “joined up thinking” environments, and This special issue’s papers were that exploits all sources of knowledge, those of especially presented at the Freshwater Biology incorporates new ideas, reduces long duration and Association’s Summit in 2010 in epistemic uncertainty and seeks to find high intensity can be highly damaging England. While the meeting focused more synergies between the potential and leave long-lasting effects. This book on objectives of the European Union benefits of existing management describes the climatic conditions that Water Framework Directive, the measures.’ give rise to droughts, and their various uncertainties that lie between science forms and chief attributes. Past droughts and management in this field are more Graham’s full paper was published online in March, at: http://bit.ly/RAmqo1 are described including those that had universal. severe impacts on human societies. Based on the papers and his large As a disturbance, droughts can be thought experience, Graham writes that, in of as “ramps” in that they usually build general, Friends in the news slowly and take time to become evident. ‘With rivers, we are not yet at a stage As precipitation is reduced, flows from where the water science community Professor David Karoly, Friend of the catchments into aquatic systems decline. can confidently recommend site-specific Trust, was appointed to the Board of the As water declines in water bodies, restoration measures that will generate a Climate Change Authority in June. The ecological processes are changed and the predictable ecological response… Authority is to make recommendations biota can be drastically reduced, though In this respect, the water science on pollution caps to apply when the species and populations may survive by community is no different from many in carbon price moves to a flexible price using refuges. Recovery from drought the terrestrial ecology sphere. … emissions trading scheme in 2015. It varies in both rates and in degrees of This is despite the fact that governments will also review policies such as the completeness and may be a function of and management agencies have drafted Renewable Energy Target and the both refuge availability and connectivity. and enacted legislation that assumes Carbon Farming Initiative as well as This book reviews the available, sufficient knowledge to achieve a secure Australia’s progress towards its targets rather scattered, literature on the “predict–act–achieve outcome” result.’ for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. impacts of drought on the flora, fauna and ecological processes of aquatic The international papers in this issue Leith Boully, Friend of the Trust, is ecosystems ranging from small ponds point to uncertainties that are often Chair of a working group to look at the to lakes and from streams to estuaries. not taken into account in approaches sustainability of Queensland irrigation The effects of drought on the biota to ecological management. Graham also schemes. of standing waters and flowing waters cites recent literature that ‘calls for a Friend Angela Arthington’s book and of temporary waters and perennial rethink’ because catchments are not (see BRIDGING no. 3) is being praised, systems are described and compared. just soil and water but also people and pre-publication, on the University of In addition, the ways in which human natural ecosystems and industries, all California Press website, including this: activity can exacerbate droughts are interacting, that ‘influence water flows in ‘Environmental Flows is a great gift to outlined. In many parts of the world complex ways’. rivers and to people striving to protect especially in the mid latitudes, global and restore them. Arthington provides warming may result in increases in the a masterful synthesis of the science and duration and intensity of droughts. practice of environmental flows — and Drought and Aquatic Ecosystems is essential why their implementation is so urgently reading for freshwater ecologists, water needed. Environmental Flows is a must- resource managers and advanced students. read for all involved with river science and management, from hydrologists and It is available via http://bit.ly/OP12J7 and at the Wiley Online Library, Grazing and recreation areas by the upper ecologists to engineers and resource Murrumbidgee River; Canberra is upstream managers.’ (Sandra Postel) http://bit.ly/OEQhHp

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 7 Meet the 15 Science to Policy Leadership Program participants for 2012

WESTERN AUSTRALIA QUEENSLAND continued Dr Kath Lynch, who lives Dr Tanzi Smith lives SW Dr Richard Cresswell, a in Busselton, is District of Gympie and is currently hydrogeologist with SKM, uses Manager for the Department working with the Mary River geochemistry and isotopes to of Water. She manages Catchment Coordination study processes in a range of abstraction of both surface Committee and the Australian fields, including groundwater and groundwater resources and actively Government to develop the Mary River interactions. Richard is a member of works with catchment and other Threatened Species Recovery Plan and the federal Environment Minister’s industry and government groups to undertake numerous projects that will Expert Panel for Large Coal Seam Gas manage water quality of rivers, estuaries support the implementation of this Projects and also leads groundwater and Geographe Bay. Working with key plan. This project provides a unique impact assessments for the coal industry stakeholders to manage and value our opportunity to work with the catchment in NSW. He leads the hydrodynamics water resources is an area Kath is community to find ways to satisfy both team for the CSIRO-led Great Artesian particularly passionate about. Her goal integrated catchment management and Basin Water Resource Assessment, is to foster good working relationships biodiversity conservation objectives. and was part of the Murray-Darling and clear decision frameworks between Tanzi has a passion for river and Basin Sustainable Yields Project and the scientists and water resource managers catchment management, and is keen on Northern Australia Sustainable Yields to work with stakeholders to protect integrating the social and environmental Project. and manage our water resources. dimensions of sustainability. Dr Paul Frazier is a principal NORTHERN TERRITORY Dr Scott Buchanan is river scientist and associate with Director of the Bioregional Eco Logical Australia. As a fluvial Matt Salmon lives in Alice Management Plan, Cape geomorphologist who does Springs where he is currently York, for the Department remote sensing, or vice versa, working as the Aridlands of Environment and Heritage he likes working on landscape-scale Program Director for the Protection. He has a passion for projects that concern physical catchment Nature Conservancy’s Australia sustainable development. In 15 years in processes. Projects include investigating Program, on leave from his job with the water and natural resource management the effects of regulation on river function Australian Government. He previously in the Queensland public service, he has and condition; linking river and riparian has worked in roles in state government extensively engaged with communities restoration to environmental outcomes; including as Director of Operations and during development of water resource advising on physical form assessment Policy for Parks Australia. Matt aims for plans (e.g. Moreton catchment and Mary and modelling; mine site rehabilitation conservation by consensus, and looks River). During 2006–12 Scott led the options and monitoring design. Paul has to turn conservation outcomes into unique Wild Rivers Program that sought been a university lecturer and worked in sustainable economic opportunities. to protect the natural values of high- state government departments. He believes that significant gains can be value river systems through a whole-of- made in the management of Australia’s Michelle Jacobs-Walsh co-owns a catchment management approach. desert catchments, for relatively small medium-size sheep grazing investments. NEW SOUTH WALES enterprise in southern NSW, where she works in the VICTORIA Brendon Warnock’s family operational and the managerial Dr Sandra Brizga is an farm in northern NSW started aspects of the company. She independent consultant, in 1984 and has steadily grown has a Bachelors degree in agricultural specialising in geomorphology, into a successful enterprise. science, and is currently studying for and river, estuary and water Brendon, who has a degree a Bachelor of Laws with the aim of management. She has worked in agribusiness, is currently assistant facilitating future environmental policy extensively on environmental flow and farm manager. His role is to ensure the outcomes for the agricultural/natural water requirements and contributed business effectively adapts to change resource sectors. Michelle has worked to the development of national best and continuously improves productivity with community-based organisations practice methods for environmental and profitability. He has been Chair of on environmental issues and for the flow assessment. Sandra is currently the Lower Namoi Cotton Growers education and advancement of women Chair of the Fraser Island World Association for two years. He has also in the agribusiness sector. She is active Heritage Area Scientific Advisory been a delegate for Cotton Australia at in the local CMA and is interested Committee and has been a member of the New South Wales Irrigators Council, in positive NRM outcomes for all the Victorian Catchment Management which he has found to be an excellent stakeholders at the catchment level. Council, government advisory panels and opportunity to learn about water policy committees. from this prominent organisation. Reviving RipRap RipRap magazine is being published again, starting with issue 34, ‘Bringing back native fish’. Formerly published by Land and Water Australia, where Professor Peter Cullen was a director, RipRap closed in April 2008, at no. 33, ‘Community learning’. RipRap is available at: http://australianriverrestorationcentre.com.au/riprap-is-back-edition-34-bringing-back-native-fish .

8 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 Meet the 2012 Program participants continued

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Dr Carmel Pollino is an Jeremy Cox is currently a Martin Lind is the Waterwatch ecological modeller who has Senior Adviser in the Industry, Coordinator for the Southern worked in ecotoxicology, and Infrastructure and Environment ACT Catchment Group, in risk assessment for water section of the Department of supporting the large network of resources, and predictive Prime Minister and Cabinet, volunteers who monitor water ecology. Since joining CSIRO in 2010, contributing to policy development in quality in sub-catchments of the Upper Carmel has focused on modelling to water, climate change and infrastructure. Murrumbidgee River, including Namadgi predict ecological outcomes of various His previous career has included work in National Park. He provides educational flow regimes, especially in the Murray- Papua New Guinea with AusAID; some and curriculum support to schools, Darling Basin, with research outcomes years with the state governments of teachers, and youth organisations and and outputs aiming to inform water Victoria and Tasmania as an economic is a monthly guest on ACT’s ‘Radio management and policy. She has built adviser; and a spell as a research officer Landcare’. Martin is an active member risk analysis models for ecological risk in an agribusiness television company. of the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment assessment studies to help analyse His publications include papers on Coordinating Committee, a peak body uncertainties in complex environments. the management of non-renewable for stakeholders in natural resource resources. management in the upper catchment. Dr Ben Dyer is a hydrologist with a passion for large Greg Raisin has worked on Dr Cuan Petheram is a hydrologist Australian rivers and a natural resources management researching interactions commitment to leaving them for over 30 years: in agricultural between surface-water and in a better condition for the and freshwater ecological groundwater, especially in future. While working with the Murray- research in CSIRO and the northern Australia. He joined Darling Basin Commission, he won CRC for Freshwater Ecology; in state CSIRO in 2004. Cuan is a Churchill Fellowship that took him government agencies managing research joint project manager of the Flinders to USA, Canada and South Africa to and monitoring and providing input into and Gilbert Agricultural Resource study the operations and management policy formation and implementation; Assessment in northern Australia. He of very large river systems. He has and in Canberra at Land and Water has led CSIRO’s work on ‘Water in been manager of water resources in Australia and the National Water Northern Australia’ and the surface- western Victoria, and also a senior Commission developing water policy and water modelling component of the environmental consultant in private managing aspects of water R&D. Greg Northern Australia Sustainable Yields enterprise. Since 2008 Ben has managed is now with the Murray-Darling Basin Project. As well as modelling, his work onground delivery of landscape-scale Authority, where he manages the Living has involved community consultation and environmental outcomes for the MDBA. Murray Monitoring program. communication with stakeholders.

Sponsors of the Peter Cullen Trust and its Leadership Program

This Land Our Water: Water Challenges for the 21st Century To buy a copy of this beautiful book, phone 02 6206 8606 or email [email protected].

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012 9 Letter from a Friend * Government’s Department of the Environment and delivered through the Kimberley Land Council in For many years I have felt that science Broome, a Ranger group operates should interact more extensively with to help manage the natural and Indigenous Australians to the benefit cultural heritage of the region. It of both. When I moved from full-time provides employment and scientific employment to honorary status in 2011, support for Walmajarri elders and and returned to live in Alice Springs, younger people in looking after Country more time became available to consider from their settlements at Mulan and this need and opportunity. Through Billiluna. The Indigenous Protected Area good fortune I have come to know program is an inspired initiative worthy many individuals who devote time to of celebration. working with Aboriginal people, and such connections resulted in me being Our Paruku project aimed to help such drawn to Lake Gregory, or Paruku celebration, one result of which is a to its Walmajarri owners, in north- book, ‘Desert Lake: Art, Science and eastern Western Australia. I was invited Stories from Paruku’, to appear early in to participate in the ‘Paruku project’, 2013, from CSIRO Publishing, and edited stemming from artist and writer Kim by myself, Mandy, Kim and John. Kim Mahood’s long connections to the grew up on Tanami Downs Station to community of Mulan and stimulated the east of Paruku, and her connections by the well-known landscape artist, with Walmajarri people come from the Jamie Brown and Rebecca Dobbs in Paruku, Mandy Martin. Our endeavours also time when some worked for her family. attracted John Carty, whose expertise She works on projects with the Paruku 2011(Photo: Guy Fitzhardinge) in anthropology and Aboriginal art Indigenous Protected Area for several has arisen from years of work in the months every year, and so was able to linking the environment, the people Western Desert, Pilbara and Kimberley. facilitate our project with Walmajarri and the Law that governs their lives. people. Mandy had painted at Paruku These understandings are encompassed Paruku is a big desert lake: an before and her enthusiasm brought by the Waljirri or Dreaming and extraordinary environment that is home other artists, writers and donors along. expressed through the songs, imagery to extraordinary people. When Sturt As several scientists had also been and narratives of enduring traditions. Creek flows from the north, it creates a working at Paruku over many years, Intriguing interactions occur between massive inland lake in the sandy desert the intersections among Indigenous, Indigenous and scientific ways of (see aerial photo at top right, by David scientific and artistic approaches to the knowing. Walmajarri knowledge Taylor). Not only is Paruku of national lake became the focus of the project. In emphasises interconnection and significance for waterbirds, but it has addition to the book CSIRO Publishing holism, and in contrast the relatively also helped uncover the past human will make available a DVD showing atomistic nature of scientific inquiry history of Australia. In 2008, Peter video of the project activities. A further can complicate the sharing of ideas. But Veth, Mike Smith, Jim Bowler and their outcome will be an exhibition, scheduled resonances among these ways of viewing colleagues unearthed an artefact from for March 2013 at the Araluen Arts the world are frequent, fascinating, the shore of the ancient lake that turned Centre in Alice Springs. revealing and rewarding. out to be of major importance. The cobblestone bears six flaking scars, the The kartiya (whitefella) project team Desert Lake is embedded in a broader result of its use for fabrication of tools. has undertaken a couple of periods of vision of Country, and we hope will Samples taken below and above the intense collaboration with the Mulan provide a rich visual and cross-cultural core established its age as older than community. From diverse backgrounds, portrait of an extraordinary part of 45,000 and near to 50,000 years. A new and with varied perspectives and Australia. benchmark was thereby established for understandings, we come to understand Dr Steve Morton the oldest occupation of the Australian the lake and each other in complex, Honorary Fellow, CSIRO desert. complementary and sometimes contradictory ways. But this multiplicity Friend of the Peter Cullen Trust Paruku’s cultural and environmental is a kind of truth, a type of honesty values are of such significance that it about how things now are in was declared an Indigenous Protected Australia. The book tries to give Area in 2001. With the support of this voices to those different stories — program, financed by the Australian about Country, people, art, science and culture. *The views expressed in the works outlined in Above all, the book will highlight this issue of BRIDGING, and the intellectual stories from the Walmajarri property embodied in them, belong to the originators of those works. Even when those people of Paruku. These accounts originators are Friends or Fellows of the Trust, show how Traditional Owners their views are not necessarily those of the understand themselves in relation Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust. to Country, a coherent whole Mulan meeting, April 2011 (Photo: Guy Fitzhardinge)

10 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Spring 2012