Environmental Flow Response and Socio-Economic Monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley- Progress Report 2009

Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

Dubbo

Griffith

Wagga Canberra Wagga Queanbeyan

NSW Office of Water Level 18, 227 Elizabeth Street GPO Box 3889 Sydney NSW 2001 T 02 8281 7777 F 02 8281 7799 [email protected] www.water.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Office of Water manages the policy and regulatory frameworks for the state’s surface water and groundwater resources, to provide a secure and sustainable water supply for all users. It also supports water utilities in the provision of water and sewerage services throughout New South Wales. The Office of Water is a division of the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009 November 2011 ISBN 978 0 7313 3939 6

© State of New South Wales through the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services, 2011. This material may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, providing the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are clearly and correctly acknowledged. Disclaimer: While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of publication, the State of New South Wales, its agents and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this document.

NOW 11_250 Murrumbidgee Valley

What is the purpose of this report? �� 4 Why do we need to monitor water sharing plans? �� 4 What water sharing plans are currently in place? �� 5 What has influenced the water sharing plans’ operations in 2008–09? �� 7 Regulated rivers—water availability �� 7 Unregulated rivers—water availability �� 9 Groundwater—water availability �� 9

What environmental issues are addressed by the water sharing plans? �� 10 Regulated rivers water sharing plans �� 10 Unregulated rivers water sharing plans �� 10 Groundwater sharing plans �� 10

What ecological monitoring is occurring? �� 11 Regulated rivers water sharing plans �� 11 Unregulated rivers water sharing plans �� 16 Groundwater sharing plans �� 17

Which plan provisions are we monitoring? �� 18 contents Regulated rivers water sharing plans �� 18 Unregulated rivers water sharing plans �� 20 Groundwater sharing plans �� 23

What has ecological monitoring told us so far? �� 24 Regulated rivers water sharing plans �� 24 Unregulated rivers water sharing plans �� 25 Groundwater sharing plans �� 25

Socio-economic monitoring �� 26 What ecological monitoring is planned for 2009–10? �� 30 Regulated rivers water sharing plans �� 30 Unregulated rivers water sharing plans �� 30 Groundwater sharing plans �� 30

What socio-economic monitoring is planned for 2009–10? �� 30 What is planned for future water sharing plans? �� 30 Future priority needs for ecological monitoring and evaluation in the Murrumbidgee Valley �� 31 Want more information? �� 31 References �� 31 the Murrumbidgee Valley

Introduction

What is the purpose of this report? This report provides an update on the monitoring and evaluation activities undertaken in 2008–09 to assess the ecological and socio- economic performance of the water sharing plans adopted in the Murrumbidgee Valley. It provides an interim assessment of the outcomes from the investigations and identifies priority needs for future monitoring and evaluation activities in the Murrumbidgee Valley. Figure 1 Why do we need An asset being monitored. to monitor water sharing plans? Water sharing plans provide water to meet environmental and socio- The river channel is listed as part of macquariensis) and the Macquarie economic needs, and spell out the Endangered Aquatic Ecological perch (Macquaria australasica). the rules governing access to Community of the Lower Murray Several frog species within the water. The Murrumbidgee Valley River under State legislation. Murrumbidgee Valley are also listed contains a number of important The Murrumbidgee catchment as endangered. environmental assets and supports has substantial alpine habitats, Remnant river red gum (Eucalyptus a valuable irrigation industry. including Kosciuszko National Park, camaldulensis) communities have Important environmental assets several of which are endangered recently been further protected by include significant wetlands such as (see www.environment.gov.au). new national parks at Yanga on the Lowbidgee floodplain, the mid- Threatened species under Federal the Lowbidgee floodplain and on Murrumbidgee floodplain wetlands legislation include the Murray the mid-Murrumbidgee floodplain. and the Ramsar listed Fivebough- cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii), The Lowbidgee floodplain was Tuckerbil wetland, east of Leeton. the trout cod (Maccullochella once the largest area of lignum

4 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009 Image courtesy of Tracy Fulford

NSW Office of Water undertakes ecological monitoring and evaluation activities focused on specific clauses and performance indicators within the water sharing plans.

(Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii) in improved when they are renewed. Water Source 2003 Australia, small remnants of which To achieve this, the NSW Office ■■ Water Sharing Plan for the survive. Oolambeyan National Park of Water undertakes ecological Adelong Creek Water Source and the nearby Coleambally area monitoring and evaluation activities 2003 (Unregulated River) protect the endangered weeping focused on specific clauses and ■■ Water Sharing Plan for the myall (Acacia pendula) ecological performance indicators within the Tarcutta Creek Water Source community and the plains wanderer water sharing plans. 2003 (Unregulated River) (Pedionomus torquatus). ■■ Water Sharing Plan for the Lower It is important to know whether the Whatt wa er sharing plans are currently Murrumbidgee Groundwater water sharing plans are meeting Sources 2003. their environmental objectives, in place? so that their effectiveness can be Four water sharing plans in the More details of these plans can reviewed at the end of their 10-year Murrumbidgee Valley are currently be found on the NSW Office of period of operation. This information gazetted (Figure 2): Water website www.water.nsw.gov.au will be used to make informed ■■ Water Sharing Plan for the go to Water Management > Water decisions on how the plans might be Murrumbidgee Regulated River Sharing Plans.

5 the Murrumbidgee Valley

Figure 2 Locations of the current water sharing plans on the Murrumbidgee Valley

Murray River Griffith  Hay  Murrumbidgee River

 Balranald Narrandera  Yass  Wagga Burrinjuck Dam

Wagga Tumut River Billabong Creek  Yanco Creek Canberra Edward River Tumut 

Murrumbidgee River Blowering Dam  Deniliquin Billabong Creek

Murray River

Murray River  Albury Hume Dam

Cooma

Legend

Murrumbidgee Regulated Water Source Major storage reserviors Adelong Creek Water Source Tarcutta Creek Water Source

Upper Billabong Water Source 0 100 200 Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater Source kilometres

6 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

available water determinations

What has influenced the High security access licences environmental water allowance water sharing plan’s rose to 95 per cent of allocations was provided out of borrowed operation in 2008–09? by February 2009. Both high and environmental water allowance and general security allocations were sourced from tributary events further Murray River Griffith R egulated rivers—water availability unchanged to June 2009.  up the river. The environmental Owing to a lack of sufficient Hay The Water Sharing Plan for the water allowance was used to assist  Murrumbidgee River rain and inflows, available water Murrumbidgee Regulated River the endangered southern bell frog  Balranald Narrandera determinations for general  Water Source was suspended on (Litoria raniformis) populations in Yass  security access licences for the 10 November 2006 as a result of key Lowbidgee floodplain habitat. Wagga Burrinjuck Dam Wagga Tumut River Murrumbidgee Regulated River the drought. Since then, translucent The environmental water allowance Billabong Creek  Water Source were zero per cent at and transparent releases have been was used in two separate events 3 Yanco Creek Canberra Edward River Tumut  the start of the 2008–09 water year suspended. The plan remained months apart. The first diversion

Murrumbidgee River Blowering Dam and rose to 13 per cent by February suspended for the whole of the was just 500 megalitres and was  Deniliquin Billabong Creek 2009. Figures 3 and 4 show these 2008–09 water year. made possible by a small surplus available water determinations over Over spring and summer of flow identified by State Water which Murray River Murray River the last 26 and 10 years respectively. 2008–09, 2,500 megalitres of came from a catchment rainfall  Albury Hume Dam

Cooma

160%

140%

120% Figure 3 100% Available water 80% determinations for the Murrumbidgee 60% Regulated River Water

40% Source from 1992 to 2009 (indicative only). 20% Available water determinations

0% 01-09- 1982 01-09- 1984 01-09- 1986 01-09- 1988 01-09- 1990 01-09- 1992 01-09- 1994 01-09- 1996 01-09- 1998 01-09- 2000 01-09- 2002 01-09- 2004 01-09- 2006 01-09- 2008

7 the Murrumbidgee Valley

90% 80% 70% 60% Figure 4 50% Available water 40% determinations for 30% the Murrumbidgee 20% Regulated River Water

Available water determinations 10% Source from 1999 to 2009 (indicative only). 0% 10-08- 1999 10-02- 2000 10-08- 2000 10-02- 2001 10-08- 2001 10-02- 2002 10-08- 2002 10-02- 2003 10-08- 2003 10-02- 2004 10-08- 2004 10-02- 2005 10-08- 2005 10-02- 2006 10-08- 2006 10-02- 2007 10-08- 2007 10-02- 2008 10-08- 2008 10-02- 2009 event. The second diversion was allowance. An independent wetland the primary goals of: 2,000 megalitres and was made watering prioritisation panel was ■■ achieving large scale hydrological available following improvements assembled to provide advice to connectivity between Lowbidgee in resources and allocations in the DECC on watering priorities in the wetland complexes which Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys. Lowbidgee floodplain. The panel contain a diversity of habitat In between these events, 812 advised that water be held over types, including significant megalitres of the then Department until the cooler months and agreed waterbird rookeries and can of Environment and Climate Change on a number of priority sites both realistically be maintained (DECC) access licence water was on private property and within into the future with minimal used for the same purpose in Yanga Yanga National Park. delivery losses National Park wetlands. In late May to early July 2009, ■■ improving the condition of a broad The environmental water allowance the 25 gigalitres was released and representative selection of volume used for the wetland into four wetland systems to native wetland vegetation types: watering in 2008–09 was deducted inundate approximately 8,000 e.g. river red gum, black box from the recognised allowance hectares of floodplain wetlands. (Eucalyptus largiflorens), river (approximately 104 gigalitres) However, with above-average cooba (Acacia stenophylla), nominally held in Burrinjuck Dam. rainfall during the diversions, the lignum, phragmites (native reed) In mid January, the then Department area was significantly increased. The and spike rush (Eleocharis sp.) of Water and Energy approved watering was completed on 13 July ■■ increasing habitat for threatened the repayment of 25 gigalitres of 2009, and ongoing monitoring will species, including the threatened the ‘loaned’ environmental water determine how well it has attained fishing bat (Myotis macropus)

8 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

and the southern bell frog, Groundwater—water availability The historic metered usage is shown along with a broad spectrum The Lower Murrumbidgee Figure 5. of more common waterbirds Groundwater Sources have a The diminishing surface water and other wetland-dependent shallow source and a deep source availability in recent years has fauna (Spencer and Wassens which effectively cover the same contributed significantly to 2010). area within the plan: groundwater trading, particularly ■■ The shallow source is the in the deep source. 101.1 gigalitres Unregulated rivers—water Shepparton Formation, was temporarily transferred and availability which has an extraction limit 5.6 gigalitres was permanently Available water determinations of 10 gigalitres per year transferred within the deep source assigned to all categories of access ■■ The deep source is the Calivil / in the 2008–09 water year. The year licences for the Adelong Creek Renmark Group, which has an recorded a usage of 316.4 gigalitres. Water Source and Tarcutta Creek extraction limit of 270 gigalitres Groundwater trading in the shallow Water Source were 100 per cent, per year, with an additional 28.8 aquifer has been extremely limited although given the low flows in gigalitres in the 2008–09 water to date. most streams, this may not have year due to the supplementary been extracted. water provision in the water sharing plan. Usage - deep source Figure 5 Groundwater usage in the Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater Sources, 1982 to 2009. Usage - shallow source

400

350

300

250

200

150

100 Groudnwater usage (GL) 50

0 1982 - 1983 1984 - 1985 1986 - 1987 1988 - 1989 1990 - 1991 1992 - 1993 1994 - 1995 1996 - 1997 1998 - 1999 2000 - 2001 2002 - 2003 2004 - 2005 2006 - 2007 2008 - 2009

9 the Murrumbidgee Valley

What environmental 3. Provide winter flow variability. Unregulated rivers water issues are addressed Burrinjuck Dam is to release a sharing plans by the water sharing percentage of inflows occurring The water sharing plans for the plans? between 22 April and 21 Adelong Creek Water Source and October each year, dependent the Tarcutta Creek Water Source Regulated rivers water sharing plans on catchment climate conditions set cease-to-pump rules for very low The objectives under Part 2 of and the dam’s storage level flows and establish daily flow sharing the Water Sharing Plan for the rules to protect a proportion of flows 4. Set environmental water Murrumbidgee Regulated River for the environment. Water Source include: allowances. Three different types of environmental water Groundwater sharing plans ■■ protecting and restoring in- allowances (EWA1, EWA2 and river and riparian habitats and The Water Sharing Plan for the EWA3) are established. The ecological processes Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater volumes credited to these Sources establishes the proportion ■■ providing for appropriate allowances depend on a variety of recharge water that can be watering regimes for wetlands of factors detailed in the plan. extracted without compromising ■■ sustaining and enhancing The allowances may be released the integrity of the water source populations and diversity of to provide water for wetland and the ecosystems that depend indigenous species inundation, fish or bird breeding on it. This is the extraction limit or ■■ promoting the recovery of or water quality management sustainable yield. At the start of the known threatened species. according to detailed release plan, extraction limits were above the sustainable yield (over-allocated). To achieve these objectives, the rules developed before the start The plan provides for the needs of rules of the water sharing plan set of each water year. The plan groundwater-dependent ecosystems the following requirements: provides for a reference group, comprising representatives of to be reviewed within 5 years of 1. Reserve all water above the conservation interests and water commencement, and the portion plan extraction limit for the of the recharge reserved for the users, to give advice on the environment. On a long-term environment to be adjusted to release rules average basis, approximately 56 ensure that these need are met. per cent of yearly flows in the river 5. Protect end-of-system flows. In keeping with the principle of are protected for the maintenance For the first 4 years of the plan adaptive management, the plan of environmental health (until June 2008), a minimum allows the recharge and the 2. Protect low flows in the upper flow of between 200 and 300 proportion of it reserved as reaches. Release up to 560 megalitres per day had to planned environmental water to be megalitres per day from be maintained downstream varied during the life of the plan. In Blowering Dam and between of Balranald Weir. From 1 most cases any variation is to be 300 and 615 megalitres per day July 2008, the minimum flow based on further assessments of from Burrinjuck Dam, depending requirement increased to reflect recharge or groundwater water- on inflows into the storages a more natural flow pattern. dependent ecosystems.

10 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009 ecological monitoring

What ecological The monitoring projects undertaken and dam releases, will induce monitoring is as a response to the environmental scouring of silt and sloughing occurring? releases for the Water Sharing of biofilms from stony substrata, Plan for the Murrumbidgee resetting biofilm development Regulated rivers water sharing plans Regulated River Water Source and improving habitat quality As the Water Sharing Plan for the are summarised below: for some invertebrate scrapers Murrumbidgee Regulated River and their predators, and Monitoring translucency and Water Source has been suspended spawning conditions for transparency-modelling since November 2006, there gravel-spawning fishes. wetted perimeter has been little water available for The hypotheses tested include: Background principles environmental purposes. Changes in ■■ The Water Sharing Plan for government agency responsibilities ■■ IMEF hypothesis 2 (generic)- the Murrumbidgee Regulated have meant that responsibility for Improving low flow habitat Rivers Water Source includes monitoring ‘automatic’ environmental Protecting natural low flows flow rules that govern releases (including transparent, (River Flow Objective 2), for transparency (releasing all translucent and end-of-system flows) example by raising pumping inflows below a minimum flow thresholds, will promote the now lies with the NSW Office of in the Murrumbidgee and recovery of water flora, native fish Water. Management and monitoring Tumut Rivers) and translucency and invertebrates, by maintaining of environmental water allowances (releasing a proportion of inflows wetted physical habitat and is the responsibility of the Office of to maintain ecological processes reducing the frequency and Environment and Heritage. downstream of Burrinjuck Dam severity of stratification, thereby NSW Office of Water monitoring in the Murrumbidgee River to increasing dissolved oxygen has concentrated on developing the Tumut River confluence) levels and reducing salinity. hydrologic and hydraulic models that ■■ Previous translucent flow will provide the basis for ecological ■■ IMEF hypothesis 4 (generic)- monitoring has indicated that monitoring once the water sharing Conditioning stony beds scouring flows (translucent, plan is reinstated. Once these Protecting or restoring a portion but more particularly irrigation, models are completed, any flow of freshes and high flows, and releases) affect biofilm and can be used to develop ecological otherwise maintaining natural invertebrate communities on response models that will assist in flow variability (River Flow rocky riffles downstream of answering some of the questions Objectives 3 and 6), through Burrinjuck Dam. However, owing related to environmental flows. off-allocation use restrictions to multiple stressors in the

11 the Murrumbidgee Valley

Murray River Griffith 

Figure 6 Hay Locations of monitoring  Murrumbidgee River sites for the Murrumbidgee  Balranald Regulated River Water Source. Narrandera  Yass  Wagga Burrinjuck Murray River Griffith Dam  Wagga Gundagai Tumut River Hay Billabong Creek   Murrumbidgee River  Yanco Creek  Balranald Canberra Narrandera  Edward River Tumut  Yass  Wagga Burrinjuck Murrumbidgee River Dam Blowering Dam Wagga Gundagai Tumut River Murray River Deniliquin Billabong Creek Griffith     Yanco Creek Billabong Creek Hay Canberra Edward River  Murrumbidgee River Tumut 

Murrumbidgee River  Balranald Blowering Dam Narrandera  Deniliquin  Yass Murray River Billabong Creek  Wagga Burrinjuck Murray River Dam Wagga Gundagai Tumut River Billabong Creek Murray River  Yanco Creek Murray River Canberra  Edward River Tumut  Albury Hume Dam

Albury Murrumbidgee River Hume Dam Blowering Dam  Deniliquin Cooma Cooma Billabong Creek

Murray River

Murray River  Albury Hume Dam

Cooma Legend Groundwater Monitoring Points Unregulated Monitoring Points Major Storage Reservoirs

Lowbidgee Regulated Monitoring locations 0 100 200 Upper Catchment Regulated Monitoring locations kilometres

12 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

river system (such as nutrients, ■■ Some cross-sections have Image courtesy of Tracy Fulford Tracy of courtesy Image cold water releases and lack been surveyed for mean shear of longitudinal connectivity), stress measurement, but there improvement of river ecology have been no wetted perimeter cannot be easily demonstrated. estimations to determine actual This raises the question of wetted habitat during transparent whether translucency is the best and translucent flows use of environmental releases, ■■ Surveyed cross-sections were particularly when some of the used in input to HECRAS water is consumed at the Tumut modelling to relate flow to wetted Murray River Griffith  River confluence perimeter at riffles. The modelling Hay ■■ This project relates the benefits enabled measurement of wetted  Murrumbidgee River of translucency and transparency perimeter under a range of flows Visit www.water.nsw.gov.au  Balranald for further details. Narrandera  and related wetted perimeter to ■■ Yass The second part of the project  Wagga Burrinjuck known ecological effects in the Dam will identify whether withheld

Wagga Tumut River Gundagai rivers below the main storages Billabong Creek   translucency is better used statewide acquisition of lidar data Yanco Creek Canberra ■■ Wetted area is the basic driver for for wetland inundation further for the development of wetland Edward River Tumut 

Murrumbidgee River aquatic processes in rocky riffles, downstream and converted to Blowering Dam hydrodynamic models, including in  Deniliquin and its characteristics provide environmental water allowances. Billabong Creek the lower and mid-Murrumbidgee patches of heterogeneous habitat It will use a range of remote floodplains (Figures 7 and 8). Murray River that enable colonisation and sensing methods including lidar The locations and technical Murray River  succession to proceed. The rates (light detection and ranging) specifications were determined in Albury Hume Dam of rise and fall are also important and Landsat data to build Cooma consultation with key stakeholders. in allowing stream organisms to a hydrodynamic model of Work included identifying the core move to submerged areas as inundation. Modelling based on management areas and where riffles dry out amounts of withheld translucent hydrodynamic modelling could ■■ Both translucency and releases will be used to build a provide advice on the best use of transparency flows are aimed floodplain inundation model and environmental water. A number of at improving wetted habitat on provide comparative estimates agencies are now using the lidar the rocky riffles downstream of wetted habitat for the use of data to build hydrodynamic models of Burrinjuck and Blowering environmental water. of floodplain inundation. dams. This project will also Remote sensing of the lower The NSW Office of Environment address River Flow Objectives 3, Murrumbidgee floodplain and Heritage (OEH) and Charles 6, 7 and 9 (see www.water.nsw. One initiative of the IMEF program Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, gov.au go to Water Management was to develop the use of lidar have monitored environmental > Water Sharing Plans > for creating wetland digital terrain water allowance releases on the Environmental Rules > Rivers) models. This in turn led to the Lowbidgee floodplain.

13 the Murrumbidgee Valley

Figure 7 Extent of lidar imaging in the lower Murrumbidgee floodplain (source: OEH).

Murrumbidgee CMA interest areas 0 5 1 15 20 25

MCMA4 - Darlington Point kilometres

MCMA5 - Wagga Wagga Disclaimer -The Dept. of Natural Resources and/or contributors accept no responsibility for the result of action taken or decisions made on the basis of information contained herein or for errors, omissions or inaccuracies presented here. Whilst all care is taken to ensure a high Total area = 306,843ha degree of accuracy, users are invited to notify of any discrepancies. Information provided by DNR Spatial Products & Services Unit. Wagga Wagga; March, 2007.

14 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

0 5 10 15 20 25 Figure 8 kilometres Extent of lidar imaging in the mid-Murrumbidgee floodplain (source: OEH).

Murrumbidgee CMA interest areas Lachlan CMA interest areas MCMA1 west ...... 53,122ha D EC1 (Yanga) - focus point ...... 2,802ha MCMA1 west - focus point...... 3,049ha DEC1 (Yanga)...... 44,118ha Disclaimer -The Dept. of Natural Resources and/or contributors MCMA2 central ...... 15,217ha DEC1 (Ita Lake)...... 17,417ha accept no responsibility for the MCMA3 south-east ...... 43,886ha Total area = 64,337ha result of action taken or decisions made on the basis of information Total area = 115,274ha contained herein or for errors, Total combined area = 212,497ha omissions or inaccuracies Lachlan CMA interest areas presented here. Whilst all care is taken to ensure a high degree LCMA1 west ...... 29,007ha of accuracy, users are invited to LCMA1 west - focus point (Reed bed). 392ha Lowbidgee Flood Control notify of any discrepancies. & Irrigation District boundary Information provided by DNR LCMA1 proposed modelling ...... 3,487ha Spatial Products & Services Unit. (area with Reed Bed) CMA Boundaries Wagga Wagga; March, 2007. Total area = 32,886ha

15 the Murrumbidgee Valley

Lowbidgee watering 2008–09- Sites surveyed in Yanga National river sections covered by the water monitoring of the endangered Park: sharing plans for the Adelong southern bell frog, other wetland ■■ Twin Bridges wetland (spike rush Creek and Tarcutta Creek water fauna and wetland vegetation and river red gum) sources. This program began in 2009 and consists primarily of a Wetland watering on the Lowbidgee ■■ Mercedes Swamp (river red gum) field verification study to assess floodplain in summer and autumn ■■ Shaws Swamp (river red gum the adequacy of the cease-to- 2009 was aimed at protecting and spike rush) pump levels in meeting the water the last remnants of a highly ■■ Piggery Lake (river red gum sharing plans’ environmental endangered population of the and spike rush) objectives. Initial work has involved southern bell frog. ■■ Blackbox lignum woodland the establishment of photo-point Wetlands in the northern part of bird sites. monitoring sites (Figure 9) and an Yanga National Park received assessment of catchment hydrology Other sites surveyed on the environmental water between during periods of low flow by Lowbidgee floodplain: September and October 2008. gauging. Depending on the results ■■ Nap Nap Swamp (river red gum, Further top-up flows there and of these initial studies, more detailed lignum and black box) new flows on several private monitoring of vulnerable habitats ■■ Avalon Swamp (black box, properties took place in November may be undertaken during the term spike rush and lignum) and December 2008, and again of the plan. ■■ in January 2009. These sites were Paika Swamp Fish sampling is planned as part of monitored for the southern bell ■■ Steam Engine Swamp the predictive ecological modelling of frog, waterbirds, fish and vegetation (river red gum, spike rush unregulated water sources covered (Spencer and Wassens 2010). and mixed marsh). by existing water sharing plans. This new approach will attempt to Waterbirds and fish were monitored Unregulated rivers water determine whether water extraction during each of the watering sharing plans has adversely affected the fish events. Vegetation was sampled The NSW Office of Water has communities at the following sites: in May 2009 to provide a pre-flow established a program to assess the benchmark. Monitoring surveys Adelong Creek: ecological outcomes of the 20 water ■■ Midway (latitude -35.3553°, were undertaken within Yanga sharing plans for unregulated water longitude 148.0818°) National Park and at key rookery sources that were gazetted in 2004. ■■ Telooma (latitude -35.1913°, sites on the Lowbidgee floodplain. The first aim of ecological monitoring longitude 148.0389°) At each site, three 20-metre by in unregulated rivers is to determine 20-metre quadrats were sampled whether the environmental Tarcutta Creek: for cover and abundance of all objectives of the water sharing plans ■■ McGeochs (latitude -35.1618°, vascular flora species, and the are being achieved. longitude 147.622°) health of overstorey tree species A monitoring program is being ■■ Willowvale (latitude -35.435°, was assessed. established in the unregulated longitude 147.8406°).

16 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

Figure 9 Monitoring sites in Adelong and Groundwater sharing plans Tarcutta Creek Water Sources. Monitoring projects under way in the Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater Murrumbidgee River Sources include:

■■ studies of recharge and  Forest Hill Tarcuta Creek environmental water using the groundwater flow model to assist in recharge volumetric contributions for the various sources

■■ work on temporal changes Adelong Creek in groundwater chemistry due to groundwater development.

Tarcuta Creek The National Water Commission

Unbango Creek is undertaking a broad-scale assessment of groundwater- dependent ecosystems (GDEs)

Little Billabong Creek through the National Atlas of Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems project. The project is incorporating existing information on all GDE types (terrestrial, wetland, river base- flow, estuarine and subsurface); identifying terrestrial, wetland and river base-flow GDEs across Australia; and resolving matters of scale and resolution, inclusion of existing information (especially in regard to estuarine and subsurface Legend ecosystems) and the ability of remote Unregulated Monitoring Points sensing to detect ecosystems as Adelong Creek Water Source small as 25 square metres. Tarcutta Creek Water Source 0 10 20 For more information visit Upper Billabong Water Source www.water.nsw.gov.au go to Water kilometres Management > Water Sharing Plans.

17 the Murrumbidgee Valley plan provisions being monitored

Which plan provisions (c) water quality megalitres per year. This limit are we monitoring? (d) the ecological condition of will ensure that approximately this water source and 57 per cent of the long-term Regulated rivers water sharing plans dependent ecosystems average annual flow in this water Water Sharing Plan for the (e) the economic benefits derived source will be preserved and will Murrumbidgee Regulated River from water extraction and use. contribute to the maintenance of Water Source basic ecosystem health Clause 10: Objectives Clause 14: Planned environmental (c) When the sum of available The objectives of the plan are to: water water determinations allocated (a) protect and restore in-river and The plan establishes the following to regulated river (general riparian habitats and ecological environmental water rules: security) access licences plus processes (a) Water in excess of the long-term water allocations carried over (b) provide for appropriate watering extraction limit established in in water allocation accounts regimes for wetlands the plan may not be taken from was less than 80 per cent of share components, a minimum (c) sustain and enhance population this water source and used for flow of 200 megalitres per day numbers and diversity of any purpose had to be maintained in the indigenous species (b) Long-term extractions at the Murrumbidgee River at Balranald (d) protect end-of-system flows start of the plan will be limited to around 1,925,000 megalitres until June 2008. Where this was (e) provide for identified recreational 80 per cent or more of share water needs per year. This limit will ensure that approximately 56 per components, a minimum flow of (f) protect identified indigenous and cent of the long-term average 300 megalitres per day had to be traditional uses of water annual flow in this water source maintained. This minimum flow (g) promote the recovery of known (estimated to be 4,360,000 cannot be used to meet access threatened species. megalitres per year) will be licence water requirements preserved and will contribute or basic landholder rights Clause 12: Performance indicators to the maintenance of basic requirements below Balranald. The performance of the plan is ecosystem health. From 1 July 2008, a minimum assessed against changes in: Long-term extractions after daily flow must be maintained (a) low flows the fifth year of the plan will be every day in the Murrumbidgee (b) moderate to high flows limited to around 1,890,000 River at Balranald.

18 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga

19 the Murrumbidgee Valley

This minimum flow cannot the floodplain and associated to environmental water be used to meet access licence wetlands allowances, and minimise water requirements or basic (c) the transmission losses forfeiture from environmental landholder rights requirements expected to occur water allowances below Balranald. (d) consideration of the State (c) improve environmental Water Management Outcomes outcomes, in particular by: Clause 15: Planned environmental Plan targets. (i) providing flow patterns water (Environmental Water which better match Allowances: EWAs) Clause 66: Rates of change to natural variability and (a) EWA1, EWA2 and EWA3 are storage releases seasonality in the to be released to provide Rules regarding rates of change upper river environmentally beneficial in releases from storages should (ii) improving the extent outcomes for water bird be specified in accordance with and seasonal timing breeding, wetland inundation, procedures established by the of mid and lower river fish passage and breeding, Minister, taking into account: wetland inundation and water quality (a) relevant environmental (iii) better matching natural (b) EWA1, EWA2 and EWA3 considerations flow variability and shall endeavour to provide seasonality at the end of (b) damage to river banks. maximum environmental the system benefit and be released to the Clause 72: Review of (3) Any such amendment to clauses maximum extent possible. environmental water and 15 or 62 in the plan must not provisional storage volume rules change the long-term extraction Clause 64 Minimum flow levels limit of the plan by more than 0.5 (1) The Minister may amend the A minimum flow of 50 megalitres per cent of that limit. planned environmental water per day must be maintained in rules and the provisional storage Billabong Creek at Darlot every day. Unregulated rivers water volume rules following completion sharing plans Clause 65: Channel capacity of a review of the provisions constraints under clauses 15 and 62 against Water Sharing Plan for the The maximum operating channel the objectives of the plan Adelong Creek Water Source capacity shall be determined (2) Any such review should consider Clause 11: Objectives and specified in accordance with clauses 15 and 62 of the plan (1) The broad objectives of the procedures established by the and recommend changes plan are to: Minister, taking into account: that would: (a) maintain flow-dependent (a) inundation of private land or (a) simplify their operation riverine ecosystems and interference with access (b) maximise the accrual of water restore to health those (b) the effects of inundation on and early-season access which have been degraded

20 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

(b) optimise economic, social, (i) contribute to the achievement (a) maintain flow-dependent cultural and environmental of water quality suitable for riverine ecosystems and values, including those of identified values in this water restore to health those indigenous peoples, by source, including aquatic which have been degraded providing for the fair and ecosystems, visual amenity, (b) optimise economic, social, equitable sharing of the water secondary and primary cultural and environmental contact recreation, livestock, resource. values, including those of irrigation and homestead indigenous peoples, by (2) The specific objectives of the water supply, drinking water providing for the fair and plan are to: and aquatic foods (cooked). equitable sharing of the (a) minimise impacts on natural water source. water levels in river pools Clause 13: Environmental (2) The specific objectives of the and wetlands during periods performance indicators plan are to: of no flow The performance of the plan is (a) minimise impacts on natural (b) protect natural low flow assessed against changes in: water levels in river pools regimes (a) low flows and wetlands during periods (c) protect a portion of freshes (b) moderate to high flows of no flow and high flows (c) the ecological condition of this (b) protect natural low flow (d) maintain the natural water source and dependent regimes ecosystems inundation patterns and (c) protect a portion of freshes distribution of floodwaters (d) the economic benefits derived and high flows from water extraction and use. supporting natural wetlands (d) maintain the natural and floodplain ecosystems inundation patterns and Clause 17: Flow classes (e) maintain or imitate natural distribution of floodwaters The sharing of daily flows is based flow variability in all rivers supporting natural wetlands on flow classes established by and floodplain ecosystems (f) maintain groundwater within the plan. natural levels and variability (e) maintain or imitate natural flow variability in all rivers to sustain critical surface Clause 45: Total daily extraction limit flows and ecosystems The plan sets a total daily extraction (f) maintain groundwater within natural levels and variability (g) improve the diversity limit for each flow class established in clause 17. to sustain critical surface and abundance of local flows and ecosystems native species, especially Water Sharing Plan for the Tarcutta (g) improve the diversity in relation to the recovery Creek Water Source and abundance of local of threatened species Clause 11: Objectives native species, especially (h) contribute to flows in the (1) The broad objectives of the plan in relation to the recovery Murrumbidgee River are to: of threatened species

21 the Murrumbidgee Valley

(h) contribute to flows in the Clause 74: Amendment of very within a small range following field Murrumbidgee River low flow provision verification that natural water levels (i) contribute to the achievement The Minister may vary the very low in river pools and wetlands during of water quality suitable for flow levels established in clause 17 periods of no flow and natural low flow regimes are protected. identified values in this water source, including aquatic ecosystems, visual amenity,

secondary and primary Looking upstream on contact recreation, livestock, the Big Badga River irrigation and homestead water supply, drinking water and aquatic foods (cooked).

Clause 13: Environmental performance indicators The performance of the plan is assessed against changes in: (a) low flows (b) moderate to high flows (c) the ecological condition of this water source and dependent ecosystems (d) the economic benefits derived from water extraction and use.

Clause 17: Flow classes The sharing of daily flows is based on flow classes established by the plan.

C lause 45: Total daily extraction limit The plan sets a total daily extraction Image courtesy of Lorraine Hardwick limit for each flow class established in clause 17.

22 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

Groundwater sharing plans minus the amount required for basic landholder rights at the supplementary water access start of the plan Water Sharing Plan for the Lower Murrumbidgee (b) 55,000 megalitres per year of the (b) 270,000 megalitres per year Groundwater Sources average annual recharge to the in the deep groundwater shallow groundwater source source, plus total water made Clause 13: Performance indicators (c) 65,000 megalitres per year of the available to supplementary The performance of the plan is average annual recharge to the water access licences, plus assessed against changes in: deep groundwater source. the total requirements for basic (a) groundwater extraction relative landholder rights at the start to the extraction limits Access to water under supplementary of the plan. (b) climate-adjusted groundwater water access licenses will not be permitted after 30 June 2016. levels Clause 36: Water level (c) water levels adjacent to identified Clause 18 (2): Planned management groundwater-dependent environmental water The Minister may declare that to ecosystems After 30 June 2011, the Minister protect water levels within these (d) groundwater quality may vary the proportion of groundwater sources, local access (e) the economic benefits derived recharge reserved as planned rules are to apply in a defined area from groundwater extraction environmental water on the basis known as a ‘local impact area’. and use of further studies of groundwater Clause 37: Water quality (f) the structural integrity of ecosystem dependency. management the aquifer. The studies may recommend management options other than The Minister may declare that to Clause 16 (2): Recharge reservation of a portion of recharge protect water quality within these Recharge in each groundwater to protect groundwater-dependent groundwater sources, local access source should be reviewed after ecosystems. The plan limits the rules are to apply in a defined area 30 June 2011 so that average annual extent to which this change may known as a ‘local impact area’. recharge values can be adjusted. reduce access by licence holders. Clause 39: Protection of Clause 18 (1): Planned Clause 27: Extraction limits aquifer integrity environmental water The extraction limit for each The Minister may declare that to Planned environmental water groundwater source is initially protect the integrity of the aquifers comprises: as follows: within these groundwater sources, (a) the physical water contained (a) 10,000 megalitres per year in local access restrictions are to in the storage component of the shallow groundwater source, apply in a defined area known these groundwater sources, plus the total requirements for as a ‘local impact area’.

23 the Murrumbidgee Valley

What has the Monitoring the southern bell frog environmental water between ecological monitoring population on the Lowbidgee September 2008 and January told us so far? floodplain 2009. Initial ground and aerial Overall the wetland watering project surveys identified 27 species of Regulated rivers water sharing plans was successful in promoting the waterbirds, but total numbers were Monitoring activities survival of the southern bell frog. low (355 ± 40 birds), most likely a The Water Sharing Plan for the Significant recruitment was detected result of limited wetland area. Eight Murrumbidgee Regulated River Water at some sites, although carp appear fish species (five native) and six Source has been suspended since to be limiting recruitment success. frog species were recorded. Adult November 2006. Environmental water Carp control at Warwaegae Swamp southern bell frogs were recorded allowances were released only from appears to have been effective in calling in Yanga National Park increasing recruitment by the frog. 1998 to 2001, and were monitored. and in a private wetland. No tadpoles or metamorphs were Monitoring of environmental water Further top-up flows at the recorded in 2007–08 before carp same sites in Yanga National allowances on mid-Murrumbidgee control despite persistent calling Park and new flows on several wetlands indicated that the wetlands activity, but 118 tadpoles and private properties, in November are biologically diverse when metamorphs were recorded in 2008– and December 2008, improved inundated (Hardwick et al. 2001) 09 (Spencer and Wassens 2010). responses. Large numbers of larval with more than 600 aquatic No tadpoles were detected during native fish (flathead gudgeon) were invertebrate species and 50 aquatic the autumn surveys, but juveniles caught entering the wetlands with flora species identified as a result of of five common frog species were environmental water inflows. environmental flows. observed, indicating that all species Monitoring of top-up watering in Translucent releases continued until had completed their breeding January 2009 in the northern part the plan was suspended, but drought successfully in 2008–09. Monitoring of Yanga National Park and private conditions restricted releases, and of the southern bell frogs’ response wetlands indicated an increasing when inflows were low, translucent to the flooding indicates that the effect of carp. Although alien fish, amounts were stockpiled in long-term persistence of this species primarily carp and goldfish, made Burrinjuck Dam. depends on regular flooding events up only 9 per cent of the total catch Monitoring of translucent releases to promote recruitment. At this during February 2009 surveys, downstream of Burrinjuck Dam stage, annual flooding over a number the proportion increased to 75 per indicated that scouring of aquatic of years may be required in order cent in March to April 2009 surveys. communities occurred, but that to re-establish population numbers A carp control screen was installed multiple stressors of nutrients, lack (Spencer and Wassens 2010). in August 2009 in Mercedes of longitudinal connectivity, cold Monitoring of other species on the Swamp to reduce numbers. water releases and scouring of Lowbidgee floodplain Since the suspension of the Water irrigation flows were likely to Wetlands in the northern part of Sharing Plan for the Murrumbidgee have impacted more. Yanga National Park received Regulated River Water Source

24 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

Links to other projects Further information on monitoring of unregulated river water sharing plans can be found at www.water.nsw.gov.au go to Water Management > Monitoring > Unregulated Rivers. Image courtesy of Simon Williams NSW Office of Water staff members, Lorraine Hardwick and Matt Russell Groundwater sharing plans undertake macroinvertebrate sampling in the Murrumbidgee River Monitoring activities above Tantangara. The NSW Office of Water continued regional monitoring of groundwater levels and metered usage from in November 2006, only a small the OEH-funded project to develop production bores in the Lower amount of environmental water a decision support tool for Murrumbidgee Groundwater allowances has been provided. Lowbidgee flooding. Sources. This water was supplied as Further information on Links to other projects repayment of loaned environmental monitoring of regulated river water allowances lent to irrigators water sharing plans can be found Several projects, including the National Atlas of Groundwater- and provided for critical needs at www.water.nsw.gov.au go to Dependent Ecosystems (funded during 2007 and 2008. Water Management > Monitoring by the National Water Commission) > Regulated Rivers. Links to other projects and those run by catchment Monitoring of environmental Unregulated river water sharing management authorities, will allow a water allowances by the Office of plans broad identification of groundwater- Environment and Heritage’s (OEH) Monitoring activities dependent ecosystems by mid 2011. Science Division is linked to the The current ecological monitoring The NSW Macro Water Sharing Federal and NSW Governments’ project is investigating the impacts Plan process is expected to develop Rivers Environmental Restoration of low flows on Adelong Creek completed plans for all groundwater Program. Translucency option and Tarcutta Creek during drought sources in the Murrumbidgee Valley modelling was linked to the spatial conditions. These impacts are by the end 2011. Each plan states analysis of Lowbidgee under the likely to be confounded should long-term average annual extraction same program. The IMEF-funded drier conditions result from climate limits and rules that will allow only lidar project is linked to newer IMEF change. A monitoring program certain impacts on users and the projects in the Murrumbidgee, established here in 2009–10 environment. Groundwater sources including the translucency options incorporates photo-point monitoring that are highly connected to the modelling, the new end-of-system and low flow gauging. Monitoring rivers are governed by cease-to- flow-rule monitoring project and sites are shown in Figure 9 (page 17). pump criteria.

25 the Murrumbidgee Valley socio-economic monitoring

In 2005, the NSW Office of Water economic indicators. The data are groundwater systems. The combined began a statewide project to monitor collected primarily in a 20-minute 2006 and 2009 survey data will changes in the NSW irrigation telephone survey of irrigators provide a complete statewide industry following the introduction who responded to an invitation baseline data set to be used in the of water sharing plans. The project to participate. A sample size of socio-economic reporting of plan is designed to: approximately 10 per cent of the performance indicators. ■■ monitor key social and eligible irrigators is targeted for For reporting purposes, the results economic changes at the farm each survey. Additional customised of the irrigator surveys are tabulated and regional levels arising from data from the Australian Bureau of by catchment management authority (CMA) area, as the sample size was water sharing plans Statistics’ Agricultural Census are also used. not large enough to report results ■■ provide data for the NSW Office for each water sharing plan area The first of the surveys, in 2006, of Water’s review and evaluation separately. Data are reported for targeted irrigators in areas where of water sharing plans the Murrumbidgee CMA area. the first 31 water sharing plans were ■■ provide data for the Natural The 2006 survey results include implemented in July 2004. These Resources Commission’s irrigators from the Murrumbidgee plans included all major regulated review of water sharing plans Rivers Regulated Water Source, rivers in NSW, and represented ■■ provide a benchmark for the Adelong Creek Unregulated approximately 80 per cent of the other economic and social Water Source and Tarcutta Creek extractive water use in NSW. The monitoring exercises in natural Unregulated Water Source: 2006 survey collected baseline resource management. ■■ The median irrigation farm data reflecting the socio-economic size was 220 hectares, with a The project was developed conditions of farms in these areas. 25th to 75th percentile range after extensive consultation In 2009, a companion baseline of 40 to 845 hectares. The with stakeholders, including the survey targeted irrigators in the statewide median farm size NSW Irrigators’ Council and the remaining areas of the State, was 159 hectares, with a 25th Primary Industries and Economic where water sharing plans were to 75th percentile range of 26 Development Standing Committee implemented after 2004 or are to 621 hectares of the NSW Natural Resources about to be implemented. This ■■ Figure 10 shows the types of Advisory Council. survey covered irrigators whose irrigation system used from The project reports on changes in water sources are predominantly the Murrumbidgee CMA area a number of identified social and unregulated rivers or major inland and compare this to statewide

26 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

Figure 10 Proportions of irrigation systems used by respondents in the 2006 survey in the Murrumbidgee CMA area and statewide.

Centre pivot or lateral move Flood or furrow Drip system 2006 survey results 2006 survey results Spray or sprinkle Regulated Rivers - Irrigation system for Regulated Rivers - Irrigation system Murrumbidgee CMA area by area for New South Wales 50% 50% 40% results. Flood or furrow Figure 11 2006 survey responses40% to the irrigation was the dominant statement ‘The water30% sharing Murrumbidgee CMA irrigation system plan has made my30% water 40% 20% Statewide rights more secure’. ■■ Irrigators derived an average 20% (weighted) results 52 per cent of total farm 10% 30% income from irrigated crops 10% 0% and pastures. The statewide 0% strongly agree neither disagree strongly 20% agree disagree average was 51 per cent strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree ■■ 34 per cent of irrigators had 10% used their water entitlement as Percentage of respondents security for a loan. The statewide 0% average was 30 per cent strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree Attitude disagree ■■ Figure 11 shows the irrigators’ responses to the statement ‘The (EFT) positions. The statewide on the remaining unregulated water sharing plan has made my average was 3.9 EFTs and alluvial areas, the Lowbidgee water rights more secure’ ■■ The ratio of water entitlement Flood Control District Unregulated ■■ 54 per cent of irrigators employ to EFT employees was 395 Water Source and the Lower 50 non-family members on farm, megalitres per EFT employee.50 Murrumbidgee Groundwater Sources and the percentage increases The statewide ratio was 270 40 within the Murrumbidgee CMA area: 40 as water entitlements increase. megalitres per EFT employee ■■ The median irrigation farm size 30 ■■ The statewide average was Figure 12 shows the irrigators’30 was 200 hectares, with a 25th 50% 52 per cent responses to the statement ‘The20 to 75th percentile range of 47 20 ■■ Full-time employment, including 40%water sharing plan has made a to 1,000 hectares. The statewide 10 lot of difference to water use in medium was 81 hectares with family and non-family members 30% 10 (excluding casuals), per irrigation this catchment.’ 0 a 25th to 75th percentile range 20% 0 strongly28 to 81agree hectaresneither disagree strongly farm was 3.7 equivalent full-time The 2009 survey included irrigators agree disagree strongly agree neither disagree strongly 10% agree disagree

27 0% strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree 40%

30%

20%

10%

0% strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree

the Murrumbidgee Valley

50%

40% 50% 50% 30%Figure 12 2006 survey response40% to the statement ‘The water sharing plan ■■ Figure 13 shows the irrigators’ has made a lot of difference to water use in this catchment.’ 40% response to the statement 20% 30% Murrumbidgee CMA ‘The water sharing plan has 30% 10%50%50% 20% Statewide made or will make my water 20% (weighted) results rights more secure’ 40%0%40% 10% ■■ strongly agree10% neither disagree strongly Irrigators derived 43 per cent agree disagree 30%30% 0% of total farm income from 0% strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagreeirrigated crops and pastures. 20%20% strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree The statewide average was 10%

Percentage of respondents 10% 30 per cent ■■ 36 per cent of irrigators had 0%0 50% Stronglystrongly agree agreeAgree50% neitherNeither disagreeDisagree Stronglystrongly disagree used their water entitlement as agree Attitude40% disagree security for a loan. The statewide Figure 13 2009 survey 40%responses to the average was 17 per cent 30% statement ‘The water sharing Murrumbidgee CMA 30% ■■ Figure 14 shows the types plan has made or will make my 20% Statewide water rights more secure.’ of irrigation system used by 20% (weighted) results 50%40 10% irrigators in the unregulated river 10% 50 and groundwater systems in 40% 30 50 0% the Murrumbidgee Valley, and 0% 40 strongly agree neither disagree strongly 30% agree disagreecompares them to statewide 40 strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree 20 30 results. Flood or furrow irrigation 20% 30 was the dominant type of 10 20 irrigation system used

Percentage of respondents 10% 20 10 00 10 Stronglystrongly agree agreeAgree neitherNeither disagreeDisagree Stronglystrongly disagree 0 agree Attitude disagree 0 strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree Figure 14 Proportions of irrigationstrongly systems agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree used by respondents in the 2009 survey in the Murrumbidgee CMA area and statewide. 50 50 40 Centre pivot or lateral move40 30 Flood or furrow 30 Drip system 20 20 2009 survey results 2009 survey results Irrigation system by area for Spray or sprinkle 10 Irrigation system by area for Hunter Central Rivers CMA area New South Wales 10 0 0 strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree strongly agree neither disagree strongly 28 agree disagree Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

■■ 54 per cent of irrigators ■■ Full-time employment of The statewide average was employed non-family members family and non-family members 2.1 EFT positions on the farm. The statewide (excluding casuals) per irrigation ■■ The ratio of water entitlement

average was 45 per cent 50% farm was 3.4 EFT positions. to EFT employee was 227 50% megalitres per EFT employee. Figure 15 2009 survey responses40% to the statement ‘The water The statewide ratio was 136 sharing plan 40%has made or will make a lot of difference to water use in this catchment.’ megalitres per EFT employee 30% Murrumbidgee CMA 30% ■■ Figure 15 shows the irrigators’ 60%50% 20% Statewide 20% (weighted) results responses to the statement ‘The 50% 40% 10% water sharing plan has made or 40% 10% will make a lot of difference to 30% 0% 30% 0% strongly agree neither disagree stronglywater use in this catchment.’ agree disagree 20% strongly agree neither disagree strongly 20% agree disagreeDetailed reports of the 2006

10%10% and 2009 surveys are available Percentage of respondents at www.water.nsw.gov.au 0%0 Stronglystrongly agree agree Agree neitherNeither disagreeDisagree Strongly strongly disagree agree Attitude disagree

50 50 40 40 30 Image courtesy of Lorraine Hardwick 30 20 20 10 10 0 0 strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree strongly agree neither disagree strongly agree disagree Sunshower lagoon near Darlington Point

29 the Murrumbidgee Valley monitoring plans for 2009-10

What ecological habitat conditions across the entire now available and are being used to monitoring is planned catchment under different flows. validate production and water use for 2009–10? After a range of flow conditions in the survey data sets. They will have been monitored, a field also provide additional secondary Regulated rivers water sharing plans verification report will be prepared socio-economic data to be used The NSW Office of Water is for each water source. to monitor the performance of the continuing a ‘translucency options’ water sharing plans against their project to develop an inundation Groundwater sharing plans stated objectives. model in a section of floodplain The NSW Office of Water will The third of the planned series of in the Murrumbidgee Valley. continue regional monitoring of irrigator surveys was undertaken A project to identify the effects groundwater levels and metered in 2010, targeting the irrigators of instigating the end-of-system usage from production bores in surveyed in 2006, including major flow rule will begin, with installation the Lower Murrumbidgee regulated river licence holders and of hydrometric gauging equipment Groundwater Sources. Specific shareholders in the private irrigation at several reaches downstream of projects on groundwater quality companies. About 1,250 irrigators the major diversion weirs. change in all aquifer units will continue but will be reviewed were interviewed. The Office of Environment and at the end of 2010–11. Heritage will undertake new What’s planned monitoring on the Lowbidgee Monitoring of surface water for future water floodplain as new environmental and groundwater to quantify sharing plans? water allowances and purchased the stream–aquifer interaction environmental water become will continue at Billabong Creek Four additional water sharing plans available for use. at Jerilderie. covering the Murrumbidgee Valley are being developed: Unregulated rivers water What socio-economic ■■ Murrumbidgee River Unregulated sharing plans monitoring is planned and Alluvial Water Sources Field verification studies consisting for 2009–10? ■■ Murray–Darling Basin Fractured of photo-point monitoring and The NSW Office of Water Rock Groundwater Sources low flow gauging will continue commissioned the Australian Bureau ■■ in 2009–10 in both the Adelong of Statistics to customise the 2006 Murray–Darling Basin Porous Creek and Tarcutta Creek water Agricultural Census data to the Rock Groundwater Sources sources. The purpose of the water sharing plans’ boundaries and ■■ Lowbidgee Unregulated River monitoring is to record the flow and related water sources. The data are Water Source.

30 Environmental flow response and socio-economic monitoring | Murrumbidgee Valley - progress report 2009

Information on water sharing plans and socio-economic assessment is available at www.water.nsw.gov.au go to Water Management > Monitoring. Image courtesy of Tracy Fulford

Future priority needs for Burrinjuck and Blowering dams. ■■ Numeralla (East) Water Source ecological monitoring The ecological response to these ■■ Murrumbidgee River 1 and evaluation in the releases has not been independently Water Source monitored, but hydrological analysis Murrumbidgee Valley ■■ Gilmore/Sandy Creek and current hydraulic modelling Until the Water Sharing Plan for Water Source downstream of Burrinjuck Dam the Murrumbidgee Regulated ■■ Upper Yass Water Source. may be used. Rivers Water Source is reinstated, In accordance with Macro Water environmental water will be provided References Sharing Plans-the approach for primarily in the form of environmental Hardwick L, Maguire J, Foreman M, unregulated rivers. Report to assist water allowances. NSW Office of and Frazier P (2001) Providing Water community consultation, 2nd Environment and Heritage’s Science to Murrumbidgee Billabongs-Maximising Edition’, (DWE 2009; available at Division will manage and monitor that Ecological Value. Third Australian Stream www.water.nsw.gov.au), potentially Management Conference, Brisbane, water. The NSW Office of Water will high-priority water sources are August 2001. develop flow response models for those identified as being at high translucency and end-of-system flow Spencer JA, and Wassens S (2010) risk to instream environmental Monitoring the responses of waterbirds, rules. The new project to monitor the value by water extraction. During fish and frogs to environmental flows in the end-of-system flow rule is a priority the development of the Water Lowbidgee wetlands from 2008–10. Final for continuation, and ecological Sharing Plan for the Murrumbidgee report for the NSW Rivers Environmental Restoration Program. Rivers and Wetland monitoring will begin in 2011. River Unregulated and Alluvial Unit, NSW Department of Environment, Transparency flow rules are Water Sources, four sources were Climate Change and Water, Sydney, and designed to maintain a minimum identified as potentially high-priority Institute for Land, Water and Society, flow in the rivers downstream of water sources: Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.