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

Summer 2013 ISSN 2200-1654 www.petercullentrust.com.au No. 9

Food for thought at graduation & dinner Welcome to a new Friend Brian Clay OAM has accepted the Board’s An inland city irrigation resource management should speak out. In this invitation to become a Friend of the Peter centre in the Murray- Cullen Trust and to contribute from his Darling Basin was the regard Peter Cullen was unequalled.’ ... expertise and experience to help the Trust’s focus of a role-play by endeavours. Welcome! the 15 graduating Fellows ‘Ecology as a subject now of the Peter Cullen has a comprehensive knowledge base, rigorous Trust 2013, aiming to standards and contested New Fellows, new events present stakeholders’ ideas. I contend that points of view. The ecological knowledge, and new initiatives Fellows ‘represented’ ideas and predictions On behalf of the Trust I would like communities, industry, could be of great value to welcome the new Fellows who science, the environment to society... In my opinion graduated in November. They bring a ecology has a lot to offer and government, and their fresh set of skills and interests into the to improve planning, presentation generated already flourishing National Fellows numerous questions development and repair of ecosystems — natural Network, which now numbers 59! and comments from the Professor Sam Lake Together, as well as individually, the audience ofNo. leading 01 thinkers (Photo: Andrew Sikorski) and human-dominated.’ ... ‘Effective restoration is members of this growing band are in the water, environment making positive contributions to and government sectors. Afterwards, not easy as there are few guiding principles, the funding costs of Australia’s natural resources future. Fellows and guests shared dinner and effective restoration are high, and Since September there have been listened, bid and talked long into the night. restoration invariably requires numerous events, and this issue of Guest speaker was Professor Sam Lake, long-term commitment by the proponents and their funders. ... BRIDGING therefore is larger than Friend of the Trust and recently the usual. It has a catchment management second Australian (after Peter Cullen) Such a task requires champions, leaders.’ theme and articles invited from to win the International Society for Friends, a sponsor and Fellows. They Limnology’s Naumann–Thienemann Sam’s talk left us soberly reflecting that not all of the environmental damage we tell of interesting findings; conference Award for ‘making an outstanding outcomes; a book in preparation; cause can be fixed. Continued, p. 18. contribution to limnology (the scientific worthwhile initiatives; a framework study of inland waters) and for efforts for assessing mining impacts on in the conservation of aquatic systems CONTENTS, p. 2 onwards groundwater; publications and a ‘best and their biota’. Sam whirled diners paper’ award; and much more. through some of the ecological issues A blast from the past! 2 of freshwater catchments in the last Hattah Lakes: water at last! 3 Speaking of awards, we have just heard 40 years. With a PhD in neurobiology Repairing catchments together 4 that Dr Sarina Loo (a 2010 Fellow and of crustaceans Sam, as a freshwater Kimberley to Cape: a new initiative 5 now a Trust Director) was named the ecologist, has taught, supervised, 6th Lake Eyre Basin conference 6 2013 recipient of the Early Career propounded, led medium–long term Mining and water for GDEs 7 Excellence Award at the Australian studies via a ‘shifting entourage’ of Fellows’ news 8–10 Society for Limnology congress last postgraduates and research fellows More Fellows’ news: northern 11 week! Congratulations to Sarina — and and visitors, and influenced policy via Rethinking ‘science to policy’? 11 also to Geoff for ‘best paper’ (see p. 12). scientific committees. He also was an Urbanisation & streams; WSUD13 12 Seasons Greetings! May 2014 be environmental activist in several major The future for small urban systems 13 a year when Australians see more campaigns that, if little else, achieved the ‘Rivers of Carbon’ are ‘Rivers of Life’ 14 clearly that the medium and long-term ‘nebulous victory of helping people to 7th ASM conference (notice) 15 economic sustainability of our country is become aware of the need to protect New Victorian waterway strategy 16 dependent on the health of our natural and conserve the environment’. Sam told ISC3 uses remote sensing 17 environment. us that to have lively debates and reform, Graduation & dinner of the Fellows 18 ‘people knowledgeable in the The Trust thanks these sponsors 19 Dr Sandy Hinson, CEO areas of ecology and sustainable Letter from a Friend, Stuart Bunn 20 A blast from the past! by the Hon John Kerin AM, Friend of the Trust

I am writing a book about the making of agricultural and natural resource management policy, 1983– 1991, along with some of my wilder impressions of days prior to my time as Minister for Primary Industry. The chapter on Land, Water and Forests is so long that I have had to split it. Trees were politically more precious than caring for our land and water resources, back in those distant days.

One of the better manage the Basin via the Water valuable. My job in chairing meetings of problems Resources Council. Evan Walker had the MDB Council was to keep peace, for a Federal chaired a committee on salinity in ‘stitch up’ the State Ministers and tell Minister is that, Victoria and was a Minister in the new jokes at our post-Council meeting Constitutionally, Cain Government (Victoria). He was dinners. land water and forest management, au fait with water matters. Due to the My co-Minister, the late Senator Peter irrigation policy and agricultural co-incidence of ALP Governments at Cook, chaired more meetings than I, production policy lie with the States. State level in NSW, Victoria and South once the Portfolio expanded to take in None the less, I have had some Australia, Don Hopgood, Deputy minerals and energy from July 1987. Even experience with water policy. Premier of South Australia, and Senator then, it was penetrating my confused Gareth Evans, Minister for Resources, After deserting my loyal public in 1993, brain that the more we knew about convened a meeting in Adelaide, and a I chaired the NSW Water Advisory water, the more we needed to know first meeting of the lead-in to the MDB Council (WAC) for its life, 1996–2004 about water. [Ministerial] Council to establish the and was later a Member of the Board Murray-Darling Basin Commission took When the Primary Industries Research of the Southern Rivers Catchment place in November 1985. and Development Act passed the Management Authority (SRCMA). The Parliament in 1989, three cross-sectoral, WAC died a politically natural death I attended all but two Council meetings cross-cutting research corporations (the members were only talking to each until 1991, having chaired many, were proposed: Land and Water; Rural other) and I was not re-appointed to the once Gareth moved to finer tasks. Industries RDC; and Energy. The Land SRCMA, being politically unclean. Commonwealth Environment Ministers and Water Resources Research and attended spasmodically — forests were The WAC gave me an insight into the Development Corporation (LWRRDC) more pressing. State attendance was making of natural resource management came into being in 1990 and carried good and a lot was achieved, such as (NRM) policy at NSW Government level out sterling work. It was re-badged as the salinity and drainage strategy, which and the SRCMA taught me a lot about Land and Water Australia (LWA) by the removed quite a lot of salt. Some State the real world of the implementation of Howard Government, on the basis of Ministers had the odd ‘blue’ or two NRM and the dysfunction of the NSW instinct, not long after the Energy RDC but consensus was generally reached. Government at the time. was eliminated. (No doubt we now rely At Federation in 1901 South Australia’s on Wikipedia for research information With respect to the Murray-Darling main concern had been its access to on energy, but we do have lots of coal.) Basin and water shares, the blame MDB water. The Commonwealth, being A greater act of political vandalism game, state to state, was in full swing. statesmanlike, generally took the view occurred when the Rudd–Gillard However, Queensland wanted no part in that someone had to go into bat for the Government (whichever one it was) the management of the Murray-Darling ‘croweaters’ (SA), when push came to eliminated LWA — the latest drought Basin (MDB), believing that planning and shove, because downstream users need nearly being over. LWA like RIRDC was management was ‘socialism’ — but it to be protected from upstream users. was prepared to ‘observe’ any fiendish strongly leveraging its small public level About 1988–89, Ministers privately co-operation. The Victoria Liberal of funding and I believe was starting to agreed that no more diversions would Opposition and Victorian irrigators make real policy informing progress, take place. I regret I have not been blamed NSW; the NSW Government amassing much and adding to what was able to track down or prove this and irrigators blamed Victoria; and South coming from the water Co-operative commitment — but it is very clear in my Australia, at the end of the ‘drain’, was Research Centres, the most prominent mind, as foggy as it now is. By the time begging for some mercy. NSW was the of which was the one Peter Cullen made this was finally agreed (about 1994–96) most recalcitrant Government. When the his own and an intellectual inspiration to diversions had increased somewhat and ALP won government in Victoria in April us all. NSW had probably sinned the most, 1982, the blame game subsided. The NSW WAC also taught me a lot. but Queensland was now grabbing ‘its I was told what a translucent flow When my old mob (the ALP) was share’ and had its eyes on other feeder was (but do not ask me now). We did elected in 1983 there had been a four- streams emanating from its State. The not approve activating ‘sleeper’ and year drought, particularly in the eastern Community Advisory Council started ‘dozer’ water licences once water States; it broke once we were elected. off compiling wish lists of desirable trading commenced and had all sorts outcomes, and with information and Meetings at official level had long of doubts about the ‘10% rule’, both been promoting ideas on how to good leadership proved to be very Continued on p. 3

2 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 Hattah Lakes — water at last! by Dr Ben Dyer* & Dr Tamara Boyd*

The 28th of October 2013 was a momentous day for two Peter Cullen Trust Fellows, with the Hattah Lakes pumping station finally being turned on (photo at right), bringing to fruition a decade of work. Landsat images (far right; each ~24 km across) on 31 October (upper) and 2 December (lower) show the progress of the watering. The Hattah Lakes are a key enviromental site in the Murray-Darling Basin. They are in cultural significance. Many the heart of Hattah–Kulkyne National people also enjoy the park for Park, a 48,000 ha park in the north-west canoeing, camping, fishing and corner of Victoria, just over 400 km from bushwalking. Melbourne. The newly commissioned pumps, capable of delivering 1000 ML The works are necessary of water per day from the River Murray because the winter–spring to the lakes system, were built as part inflows to the park, via a natural of the Living Murray project for Hattah high-level flood runner [channel], Lakes. Along with three major regulators have dramatically reduced in (up to 7 m high) and other smaller frequency and duration. This works, the pumps enable almost 6000 ha means that the park’s wetlands, of wetland plus surrounding River Red many of which are listed under Gum and Black Box communities to the Ramsar convention, have receive managed environmental water. been declining in health. During the millennium drought large The site includes more than 20 semi- closely as possible. This approach retains numbers of old Redgums died and most as much of the natural variability and permanent freshwater lakes that support others showed major stress. River Red Gum communities and a relationships as possible — something variety of native plants and animals. The regulators and pumps mean that the team believes is important because They are also important breeding environmental water can be diverted while science can provide some guidance places for waterbirds. They were a from the Murray into the lakes. While it is not possible to model and optimise traditional meeting place for Aboriginal this overcomes the critical issue of every relationship. Following natural cues communities and continue to be rich reduction in inflows, caused by holding provides the best option for keeping large volumes of flow in the major the lakes as natural as possible and thus storages on the Murray, Murrumbidgee preserving their ecological character in and Goulburn rivers, it presents other this iconic National Park. challenges. How often to water? How For further information see: http://mdba.gov. high to fill the lakes? How long to hold au/about-basin/environmental-sites/hattah- them at a given level? These questions lakes; and http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/ are being addressed. parks/hattah-kulkyne-national-park.

A multi-agency operating team will use *Dr Ben Dyer, Director Environmental simulated natural flows in the river to Works & Measures, MDBA; a 2012 Fellow predict what water the lakes would of the Trust; Dr Tamara Boyd, Ecological receive under ‘natural’ conditions and Water Program Leader, Parks Victoria; a First water in Chalka Creek. use the works to replicate this as 2011 Fellow of the Trust.

A blast from the past! continued from p.2 of which proceeded, regardless. One The SRCMA had about $9–12 million What always gives me great heart in NSW river valley was over-allocated per annum to manage this, as well the matter of NRM, is that what comes by about 400% taking into account all as land and weed management and around goes around, and we do learn conjunctive use! The SRCMA had 13 vegetation planning — and no authority. more, even if implementation is always a major river catchments, part of Sydney’s I understand NSW’s CMAs have now bit beyond us. water supply, at least six coastal lakes been given more responsibilities. and about 70 estuaries, salt marshes, etc.

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 3 Pulling together to repair catchments by Dr Kirsten Shelly*

Catchment (GHCMA), was rewarded this year with inform decisions about where efforts management plays the 2013 Riverprize. The CMA’s efforts should be directed to ensure the an important role have included 2000 ha of cross-tenure most effective outcome. Both groups in delivering a weed control, reinstatement of 870 have teamed with local universities range of services pieces of large wood, opening 270 km and other research organisations to and benefits to of the Glenelg River to fish movement better understand their catchments, waterways and and the establishment and delivery of an the inhabitants of the catchments and communities, environmental flow entitlement. how restorative activities can be best including implemented. The CMA team attributes its significant contributing to drinking water quality outcomes to strong community support In the Lockyer and mid-Brisbane and reliability and reducing water- for, and participation in, catchment catchments research and monitoring of treatment costs. It is estimated that the management activities. catchment health has been occurring for waterways of SE Queensland (SEQ) over a decade, with small ‘catchment wins’ provide over $5 billion per year to Their accomplishments did not happen along the way, but there is still some the economy via industry, tourism, overnight: courageous decisions were way to go to achieve a coordinated recreation, public utilities and fishing. made over the last decade which did approach such as that seen in Victoria. However, this year in SEQ the group not always have the community support The GHCMA provides a great example ‘Healthy Waterways’ has reported a that has seemingly underpinned their of bringing the community, science and continuing decline in the ecological recently recognised success. local government together to attain health of Moreton Bay, east of Brisbane, It seems that pushing the boundaries of positive catchment outcomes — over and only slight improvements in the conventional catchment management the long term. health of eight of the 19 catchments has brought success to this region. There are some lessons in this story. that run into the bay. Not only have the GHCMA managed • Communities are key to successful Healthy Waterways noted that the to get over 600 landholders and catchment management. decline in catchment condition was other organisations to work towards largely due to significant amounts of the goal of restoring the catchment, • Relevant science plays an mud and nutrients being deposited from they have done so using a variety of underpinning and informative role the upper catchments into Moreton Bay communication tools and on-ground in directing catchment activities. during the 2011 and 2013 floods. restorative measures. • Many regions have sufficient scientific support to put strategies The Brisbane floods in January this Recently I had the opportunity to canoe into action to improve catchment year arose from the rains of ex-tropical down the Mary River, near Gympie in health, but the barriers that prevent cyclone Oswald and most notably Queensland, with experts from the this from occurring at a regional affected the community via the widely Mary River Catchment Coordinating scale include political support; reported ‘water supply emergency’. This Committee (MRCCC). This river funding; legislative/regulatory involved the city of Brisbane coming flows through farmlands, small towns, constraints; and sufficient within hours of running out of water significant wetlands and forests and is understanding of the issues in the and was reported to be largely due the only unregulated river in the area to general populace. to the area’s most significant water reliably flow out to sea. Many parts of • Regional coordination of catchment treatment plant becoming inoperable. the mighty Mary River have been visibly management is difficult to get off The cause was described as resulting affected by vast clearing of river banks, the ground but most likely to have from mobilisation of sediment loads and this is reflected in the river being the greatest impacts. generated because of widespread assessed as having ‘poor catchment • We need to keep pushing the land clearing in the Lockyer and condition’. The MRCCC has collated boundaries of conventional mid-Brisbane catchments. This event a range of information that is easy for catchment management. The signifies the importance of catchment the community to take in, and there environmental and economic management not only from an appears to be a clear understanding of gains that could be brought about ecological perspective but also a water the Mary River System and its current by catchment management are supply security perspective. health, with the local community making a number of restorative achievements. considerable. By contrast, catchment management • It will be a long haul: catchment of the Glenelg River in south-west The MRCCC has something in management outcomes will not Victoria, by the Glenelg Hopkins common with the GHCMA, in as happen overnight, but they can Catchment Management Authority much as they both use science to help happen!

*Dr Kirsten Shelly is a Fellow (2011) BRIDGING Managing Editor: Dr Sandy Hinson. Ed Team: Ann Milligan, Dr Tanzi Smith. and Board Director of the Trust. Photos: Andrew Sikorski, contributors and the Trust. Views expressed in BRIDGING are not necessarily those of the Trust.

4 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 Kimberley to Cape: a new initiative for the north by Dr Clare Taylor*

A new body called Kimberley to Cape (KtC) has recently been created to 2. promote the distinctive support discussion, agreement and values of northern investment to achieve a prosperous landscapes and savannas and sustainable future for northern and the benefits of Australia. The initiative aims to sustaining them; safeguard the unique and globally 3. promote economic important values of northern savanna activities compatible landscapes by promoting appropriate with those values; development and conservation. 4. advance Indigenous well- around Australia have expressed strong KtC is a response to threats of being and aspirations for savanna support. Industry groups are interested unsustainable development, such landscapes, and their employment; in further dialogue and we are currently as multiple large dams, broadscale 5. identify, agree on and promote approaching others. the region’s important ecological agriculture, polluting activities or Similar continental-scale conservation priorities; poorly placed industry, as well as the and sustainable development initiatives decline of ecological integrity across 6. paint a broad shared picture of a include the Canadian Boreal Initiative the north. It urges caution regarding healthy future for the north, and (borealcanada.ca) and the Yellowstone calls for big ‘food bowls’, and provides draft principles to guide us towards it; to Yukon Conservation Initiative a counterpoint to ‘any development at 7. work with partners to produce a (y2y.net). In Australia initiatives such any cost’ and notions of ‘wasted’ land more detailed action plan and then as the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative and water in the north. implement it; (www.greateasternranges.org.au), Instead, KtC 8. support and take on related Kosciuszko to Coast (k2c.org.au; K2C), calls for a initiatives such as a multi-sector Habitat 141 (www.habitat141.org.au) positive, alliance, and fundraising, and making and Gondwana link (gondwanalink. prosperous submissions. org) are restoring landscape-scale connectivity after it has been lost. future and In 2014 KtC aims to deliver: wants to • a future vision and guiding provide a Your support principles endorsed by multiple cohesive vision We welcome your support for KtC, sectors; and voice for whether it’s a heartening email, some the north. It • a roundtable forum held in Darwin; in-kind assistance or funding. is committed • an action plan for 2015–20; More information: to working • submissions to federal/state/ with business, industry, Indigenous territory policies and processes; Dr Clare Taylor, organisations, conservation groups, • new relationships; funding; a Kimberley to Cape Coordinator, natural resource management groups, website; and more. [email protected] researchers, community groups, Phone 0405 730 999 KtC was set up in spring 2013 by the governments and others to achieve this. Building Red 1 Level 3, Environment Centre of the Northern Charles Darwin University, KtC plans to: Territory. It has three years of seed Darwin, NT. 1. bring diverse people and sectors funding to help it establish itself as a www.kimberleytocape.net.au together, talking about and imagining stand-alone body. a sustainable future for the north, So far, Indigenous groups, academic *Dr Clare Taylor is a 2010 Fellow of the and how to get that to happen; institutions and environment groups Peter Cullen Trust, formerly employed by the National Water Commission.

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 5 6th Biennial Lake Eyre Basin Conference by Dr Steve Morton* & Emeritus Professor Angela Arthington*

The Lake Eyre Basin is a catchment of natural lens. It was an unusually happy and engaged grandeur and immense scale, covering one- audience, with strong Aboriginal participation sixth of the Australian continent and similar especially evident. The mutual respect growing in size to the Murray-Darling Basin. Vastness, among different sectors of the Lake Eyre dynamic natural ecosystems, high conservation Basin community is delightful to observe. Such values and a sparse human population provide collaborative approaches included discussion a fascinating setting for the management of the of the recent adoption of the Arabana name Basin’s resources. Maintaining the current overall for the Lake: Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre. excellent natural condition of this enormous From the perspectives of monitoring and of catchment, its rivers, wetlands and biodiversity, Dr Steve Morton science, the big development of recent years while also supporting economic activity and is the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment, human communities, is the big challenge. its purpose being to underpin policy and Natural resource management must accommodate management and guide monitoring so that high economic values in pastoralism, tourism, oil we have an increasingly reliable scientific basis and gas extraction, and mining. The context is for action. The first rounds of monitoring that the rivers of the Basin experience the most have been undertaken, for hydrology, fish variable hydrological conditions in the world, and water quality, and will continue annually. its boom-and-bust ecological dynamics affecting Critically, the Rivers Assessment will adopt a the way that the catchment might be monitored strategic adaptive management framework. and managed. These features led to signing of the Prof Angela Arthington Plans for testing this adaptive approach are Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement by now well under way; advancing knowledge the Australian, Queensland and South Australian of strategic adaptive management across the Governments in 2000 and then the Northern community constituted the second aim of Territory in 2004. The purpose is to the conference. Well-attended round-table ‘provide for the development … of Policies workshops debated potential impacts on the and Strategies concerning water and related Basin’s natural resources, helping to formulate natural resources in the Lake Eyre Basin objectives for the Basin. Agreement Area to avoid or eliminate so far The Commonwealth and States have as reasonably practicable adverse cross-border instituted a series of ‘Bioregional Assessments’ impacts’. to assemble information on potential impacts The Agreement is something stimulating on the Prof Chris Moran on water resources of coal seam gas and Australian scene. It represents a partnership coal mining projects. Among them is a Lake between jurisdictions, the community, natural resource managers, Eyre Basin Rivers Monitoring Project. Collaborative pastoralists, mining companies, Aboriginal people, tourism arrangements will ensure strong intersection between enterprises, and scientists. To ensure that momentum is maintained the Bioregional Assessment and the Lake Eyre Basin through the years that the big rivers come and go a suite of Rivers Assessment. All these matters were raised in networks has been built up — the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial interesting ways for participants at the conference. Forum, Community Advisory Committee, Scientific Advisory Panel, Finally, discussion was particularly vigorous about plans and Biennial Conferences. by the Queensland Government to institute a water- The conferences are a significant part of the process of building trading mechanism to allow sleeper licences at Windorah links, and the sixth such event happened to take place at a to be relocated to other parts of the Cooper Creek dynamic time in 2013. Not only is the Basin one of the most catchment. A groundswell of opinion at the conference interesting parts of Australia, but also it is an arena for challenging led to submission of a petition, signed by many attendees, issues facing Australian society broadly. How best can communities to the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum urging debate respond to potentially intensive resource development? How best by Ministers. The Ministerial Forum did indeed meet to can community, industry and science respond to political winds as discuss these matters in early November, in response fresh governments are elected with new perspectives and policy particularly to a request from Minister Hunter from the directions? Can the admirable aspects of the social and natural South Australian Government. makeup of the Basin be maintained through such shifts? Community involvement in ecosystem science, The conference organisers’ first aim was to share knowledge monitoring and catchment management is alive and well of water, natural resources and their use across the Lake Eyre in the Lake Eyre Basin! Basin. Among the enjoyable highlights were cameo presentations on life in the Basin by both younger and older residents, *Steve Morton, Angela Arthington and Chris Moran are Aboriginal traditional owners and recent arrivals, teachers, Friends of the Peter Cullen Trust who spoke at the conference. Steve and Angela are members of the Scientific Advisory Panel scientists, pastoralists and tourism operators. All who spoke at to the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum. the conference did so with reference to the powerful community Photos by Matt Turner.

6 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 Mining and water for groundwater-dependent ecosystems An invited article, from sponsor SKM, by Stuart Richardson*, Marcus Cooling & Jim Campbell

The rapid expansion of mining projects across Australia has driven a new What the framework should do broadscale approach to managing water, • Identify ecosystems at risk of in particular groundwater. mining impacts — set objectives. Traditionally, groundwater management • Identify direct effects of mining in mining areas has involved pumping on water assets (e.g. quantity, water from aquifers for water supply, and quality, groundwater–surface water connectivity). dewatering aquifers to allow mining to occur below the watertable. The focus • Describe hydrological (indirect) has been on managing water-related effects of mining on ecosystems Extraction of groundwater may reduce impacts on a site by site basis. and other users / identify ‘exposure the amount of groundwater discharge to pathways’. important ecosystems such as trees, springs Co-location of mines within a single • Specify thresholds for significant and wetlands. This is a key issue. catchment has the potential to cause impacts. a cumulative effect (or many-to-one • Specify management options to cause and effect scenario), so human mitigate impacts. and ecological groundwater users could be affected by the interacting • Attribute impacts to mine However, ecosystem conditions can impacts from several different mines and operators. be influenced by a wide range of operators. This introduces questions of factors so while maintaining ecosystem condition may be the objective it may be accountability. Potential questions include process and collaboration between problematic in its application because of these. How are impacts attributed operators. to different mining projects? As ‘first other factors such as climate variability in best dressed’ or using a regional Such a framework is useful in situations and land management. where groundwater-dependent planning approach? What are reasonable The preferred approach may be to focus ecosystems are present and at risk. thresholds for significant impacts and on water-related effects and set this how can mining operations seek to Setting management objectives objective: ‘no significant impact from operate below a threshold impact and mining on the hydrological conditions still maintain flexibility in operations? Where groundwater-dependent ecosystems may be affected by mining, required by ecosystems’. A number of challenges limit the use management objectives must be agreed Continued on p. 8 of traditional water-management at the outset and should reflect possible approaches. For example: hydrological impacts on the ecosystem. • mines are often in remote regions For example, where there are few data, resulting objectives could in lack of clarity in the value of include: ecological assets in these areas; • maintain • mines very often operate in ecosystem catchments where hydrologic condition; variability makes assessment and/or and/or management of water difficult; • maintain • uncertainty about volumes, timing of groundwater use, etc., means there is a need for conditions an approach which is flexible, rather required for than the traditional approach to ecosystem water management; and condition; • land-access issues limit knowledge- and/or gathering. • have no Operators and regulators need to use significant a conceptual framework to identify impact on the groundwater-related effects and groundwater cumulative impacts from mining, and conditions plan their assessment and mitigation. The required by Ecosystems may be affected by a range of factors. In this framework clarifies both the approvals ecosystems. framework the objectives relate to the water effects.

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 7 Mining and groundwater-dependent ecosystems, continued from page 7

water sources such as surface water continue to be supplied). The criteria for significance will vary from site to site; examples are: • no measurable change relative to baseline; or • limited impact on hydrological condition; or • major change in hydrological condition, but at limited locations. Creating the right operating environment While tools can be developed to guide application of the framework there is still a need to make progress with governance that can guide collaboration between operators and create clarity between regulators and operators. The traditional approach of ‘managing as development occurs’ is being replaced with a more strategic regional planning approach where there are: • agreed thresholds and baseline conditions; • agreed conceptualisation and asset values; As more knowledge becomes available the significance of the shift from baseline can be assessed in the • coordinated data collection programs; context of the relationship between • modelling tools to estimate baseline — with an independent groundwater condition and ecological function. third party to administer the model; and • agreed frameworks to share ‘rights to impact’ and implement What is significant? mitigation, as required. When there is a change in groundwater condition the This more strategic approach provides more certainty for regulators significance of that change to an ecological asset or and investors. ecosystem within the catchment will ultimately depend on whether or not they continue to receive their *Stuart Richardson, SKM (Stuart is the 2010 SKM Fellow of the Peter ecological groundwater requirements (assuming other Cullen Trust); Marcus Cooling, Ecological Associates; Jim Campbell, SKM.

News of the Peter Cullen Trust Fellows

Trust Fellows at Riversymposium, linking people, projects and pathways to achieve their purpose The Fellows-run partner session at Riversymposium in September was very well attended, with approximately 40 participants. It involved eight Fellows from five states and the three 2010–12 Leadership Programs, led by Kaye Cavanagh (2011) who managed the development of ideas and arrangements with the conference organisers. Dr Kirsten Shelly (2011) introduced the session, called ‘Linking people, projects and pathways to achieve our purpose’, backed by a video specially created by Tyler Freeman Smith (2010). Presentations by Dr Richard Benyon (2011), Dr Cuan Petheram (2012) and Prof Michael Douglas (2011) outlined work linking science and policy at different scales.

Continued­ on p. 9

8 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 News of Fellows of the Peter Cullen Trust continued from page 8

Friends of the Trust Emeritus Professor Angela Arthington (centre) and Professor Stuart Bunn (right) with Emeritus Professor Calvin Rose (2nd from left) and Fellows Dr Tanzi Smith (left) and Dr Kirsten Shelly (right) after the Special Lecture.

Annual Australian Rivers Institute Peter Cullen Memorial Lecture Emeritus Professor Angela Arthington and her wonderful career and contribution to the science of environmental flows were the focus of the 2013 Australian Rivers Institute Special Lecture in honour of Peter Cullen, at Griffith University Nathan campus on 12 September. Several eminent colleagues of Professor Arthington reflected on her enormous contribution to that university and to the field of aquatic ecology, before Angela (a Friend of the Trust) spoke about her extensive observations and salient perspectives regarding ‘The past, At the Riversymposium session: page 8, l–r, top– present and future of environmental flows’. bottom: Kaye Cavanagh with microphone; Dr Cuan Petheram; Dr Tanzi Smith; Dr Richard Benyon Professor Arthington discussed how much the science of during his presentation; page 9, l–r, top–bottom: environmental flows has progressed over the years and the Dr Kirsten Shelly; Dr Philip Wallis; some of the importance of collaboration in achieving these additions to audience at the partner session; screen grab from the knowledge. However, she also identified how much there is still to Fellows video about northern Australia. do, both in terms of science and in ensuring that the best scientific Photos by Fellows. knowledge is reflected in policy and decision-making that affects threatened freshwater ecosystems. She concluded her presentation Then Dr Philip Wallis (2010), with Dr Tanzi with a call for an integration of systematic conservation planning and Smith (2012), Kirsten and Kaye, hosted a World environmental flows analysis to better reflect the services provided Cafe conversation, where participants focused by freshwater ecosystems. on aspects that are or are not effective in Professor Arthington’s thinking on this subject is also outlined in her linking science and policy at the levels of state recent book titled ‘Environmental flows: Saving rivers in the third government, local government and community. millennium’ published by University of California Press, which (p. 12) The session outcomes are being communicated in ‘makes the case for a vigorous global river and catchment a paper, for participants and also a wider audience. restoration effort to sustain and restore the benefits of The Fellows also held a lunchtime screening freshwater biodiversity and the ecological goods and services of the video ‘Great northern land: A southern of healthy rivers and estuaries, wetlands and groundwater.’ myth?’ produced by the 2012 Fellows. Conference Thanks to the work of Professor Arthington over nearly 40 years we delegates who attended were engaged and are in a much better position to do that. However, as she outlined interested in the topic and the work of the Trust. in the Special Lecture, our management of freshwater biodiversity The Trust and Fellows thank the Riversymposium and water resources is far from ideal — a reminder taken ‘on board’ organisers for providing these opportunities. by the several Fellows of the Trust who were present.

Fellows’ news continues on p.10

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 9 Fellows’ news continued from p. 9

Paddling the Mary River Intimate lunch and a dinner In September, a few of the Fellows Kaye Cavanagh arranged the first SE kayaked along the Mary River upstream Queensland ‘intimate lunch’ in October of Kenilworth, SE Queensland (SEQ). for Friends and Fellows (with funding The route visited sections of the river support from E2DesignLab). Emeritus that are more or less pristine and other Professor Barry Hart, a Friend of the sections that have been degraded and Trust, was the guest speaker at this very exhibit major erosion. Damage caused pleasant event. by Cats Claw creeper was evident in In September, Fellows Dr Carolina places. We were excited to find a patch Casaril, Prof Michael Douglas, Dr Tanzi of Vallisneria nana Ribbon Weed, an Smith, Kaye Cavanagh, Dr Richard underwater plant crucial to the breeding Benyon, Dr Philip Wallis (left–right in After the pre-2013-graduation media and of the vulnerable Australian Lungfish. photo below) and Dr Kirsten Shelly communication course: Dr Clare Taylor Floods in recent years have scoured this (camera) dined together after the (2010), Dr Katherine Daniell (2010) and and other native macrophytes out of the Riversymposium partner session. Dr Kirsten Shelly (2011). main trunk of the river, and to see them Photo: Andrew Sikorski reestablishing is a good sign for the The day before this river’s aquatic species. After the long year’s graduation in mid- dry winter, the river was too shallow November, as has become for paddling at many riffles and other normal, a number of the sections. Another trip is planned for previously graduated March 2014, when higher flow can Fellows came to Canberra be expected after the wet season. All for professional training. Queensland Fellows and Friends of This year, journalists Ticky the Trust are invited. Contact Tanzi on Fullerton (a Friend of the [email protected] . Trust) and Tanya Ha gave valuable training in media National Fellows Network active and communication. Dr Kirsten Shelly in a kayak paddling The National Fellows Network (NFN) the Mary River with a hairy companion. is a formalisation of the collection of For the first time, on the day after the now 59 Fellows of the Peter Cullen graduation, the NFN held an all-group Trust. Although the Fellows have worked social event, open to all 59 Fellows. After together across states and groups ever a breakfast in Kingston, Canberra, the since 2010, the NFN was agreed upon Fellows toured Larkhill, a local Canberra after the 2012 graduation. It helps link winery (photo below). The informal the Fellows’ varied talents and bridge format of the day provided an excellent their capabilities and interests, to the opportunity for Fellows from across all benefit of the Australian water and the years to build and strengthen their environment sectors as well as the friendships and the overall network. Trust and each other. The developing- The Fellows thank Dr Philip Wallis and northern-Australia initiatives and the the 2013 NFN reunion committee Riversymposium session are examples of for organising the training and social recent activities. activities, and the Peter Cullen Trust for providing financial support.

News & photos pp.8–10: Dr Tanzi Smith (2012), and Kaye Cavanagh & Dr Kirsten Shelly (2011 Fellows). More Fellows’ news p. 11.

Fellows of the Trust from the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Leadership Programs at the Larkhill winery, 16 November.

Continued on p. 11

10 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 More Fellows’ Rethinking ‘science to policy’? news: northern by Dr Philip Wallis* The ‘science into my peers, including me, has published Northern Australia-based Fellows held policy’ discourse an article describing this career path- an Australia-wide tele-chat recently, to is central to the finding experience among many (Water talk about northern events and work, activities of the Alternatives 6(2): 293–312). The shift and the discussion paper ‘Coalition Peter Cullen is inspired by the idea that complex 2030 Vision for Developing Northern Trust. social problems benefit from research approaches that break out of disciplinary Australia’. That paper is the basis for Fellows are silos, including multi-, inter-, and trans- the preparation of a White Paper by the actively selected disciplinary research. Commonwealth Government. for their capacity to build ‘links between We noted that the discussion paper the scientific and political communities The point I want to make here is that was one of the most comprehensive in order to promote effective social science research, which often is policy documents leading into the last management of our river systems’ (see not considered ‘science’, is a legitimate election, indicating a strong commitment Trust website). discipline for communicating to policy, to northern Australia. We also discussed and can be particularly relevant when Building links or indeed bridging the how development in the north is linked to biophysical understanding — different communities of research and underpinned by its natural systems as is demonstrated each year during policy is the goal, and can take many and resources. It will be important the Trust’s Leadership Program. The different forms. For me, the concept of for the White Paper to recognise the combination of skills among the Fellows science ‘to’ policy conjures up images constraints that exist for successful and is potentially very salient in dealing with of scientists (possibly in lab coats!) sustainable development. complex social problems. taking time out of their busy research The Fellows note that Indigenous schedules to sit on advisory groups, I feel that we could consider rethinking interests, ownership and responsibilities make evidence-based submissions ‘science to policy’ into a wording that are critical to development in the to policy documents or government that recognises the potential for north were not specifically referred inquiries, or even write open letters contributions ‘to’ policy from a range to in the discussion paper. We make to policy-makers. This is important of research approaches, as well as the the comment that the significant body ‘boundary’ work (work that crosses valuable contributions of industry and of research and policy work already science–policy boundaries); however, I community perspectives. We also need done on northern systems, society see that it is a simplified and one-way to acknowledge the multi-directional and development opportunities should view of the range of possible interfaces nature of the research–policy interface, provide an important knowledge-base between researchers and policy-makers. and include policy-makers in setting and foundation for this emergent policy. research agendas in a collaborative Looking at the profiles of Fellows on fashion that breaks out of a funder– We also shared a more philosophical the Trust’s website, research skills are supplier relationship. conversation about what it means to be well represented among the 59 Fellows a ‘northerner’, and whether there are of the Peter Cullen Trust, with nearly This type of inquiry already happens attributes that characterise northern half holding a PhD. Of these PhDs, while under the banner of water governance Australian people and society. A key nearly 85% are in biophysical sciences, research. Co-operative Research attribute we discussed is the connectivity the remainder are in interdisciplinary Centres (CRCs) are one model where between people and their natural or social science research. A large water industry personnel help shape environment including the climate. proportion of Fellows are currently research paths: for example, eWater Susie Williams (2011) and Dr Clare Taylor active researchers, again typically in CRC and its two forerunner CRCs; (2010), Fellows’ tele-chat conveners. biophysical sciences. A smaller number and the new CRC for Water Sensitive engage in action-oriented research Cities. Perhaps it is time to reprise the with communities, organisations and skill of ‘knowledge brokering’, of which government agencies to directly facilitate Peter Cullen was a proponent (e.g. new practices and policies. Some Fellows ‘WaterShed’ March 2001). While various NOTE: The articles and opinions in all have also changed careers from research models of knowledge brokering have issues of BRIDGING, and the intellectual to policy, seeding public agencies with been tried, from specialist translator and property embodied in them, belong to the originators of those works. their experiences and capacities as science communicator to multi-skilled researchers. scientists and mixed teams of managers Even when those originators are Friends and researchers, I envisage that future In my case, I have made the transition or Fellows of the Trust, their views are brokers could also be social action not necessarily those of the Peter Cullen from biophysical science (chemistry) researchers, thus adding another level to Water & Environment Trust. to transdisciplinary research on water the research–policy interface. governance. I discovered that this is not an uncommon experience and not as *Dr Philip Wallis is a 2010 Fellow of the painful as it sounds! A small group of Trust.

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 11 What is it about urbanisation that so affects waterways? by Dr Geoff Vietz*

Urban catchments are like any others. highlight some opportunities for improvement. In particular, What we do in the catchment has a waterways can be more effectively and efficiently managed by direct impact on the receiving waters. addressing the causes of waterway degradation at catchment scale. In fact, urbanisation is known to have the greatest negative impact on stream Alternative approaches to managing stormwater runoff (e.g. ecology and geomorphology of any harvesting it, using it, and/or promoting its infiltration rather land use type. Urbanisation itself is not than direct delivery to streams), can minimise the effects necessarily the culprit, nor is it simply of urban development and impervious surfaces, while also the impervious surfaces that cause the yielding multiple benefits. damage. Instead it is the way in which conventional drainage The existence of alternative approaches highlights the systems transfer rainfall landing on impervious surfaces so inadequacy of common practice in Australian cities and efficiently to streams. The result is that surprisingly small suburbs where stormwater runoff and waterway health increases in drainage connections (<3% of a catchment) can are managed through separate strategies. Combining these dramatically alter the physical form of a stream channel. strategies will undoubtedly improve the comprehensiveness For example, high energy stormwater inflows from drains of water management in the urban environment. can deepen channels to the extent they lose their diversity The study also highlights inflow of sediment to streams as a of structure and lateral connection with the riparian zone. factor influencing waterway condition, and how maintaining Rapid stormwater inflows also remove the bed sediments coarse-grained sediment supplies from an urban catchment that are so important for populations of instream biota and can buffer the impacts of stormwater and better enable for filtering out contaminants from the water. stream recovery. The impacts of conventional drainage systems on channel As we move towards more ‘water sensitive cities’, and morphology are demonstrated in a recent article published begin to consider the important role of sediment, we are in the Journal of Geomorphology: Vietz G.J., Sammonds more likely to achieve healthier urban waterways, and the M.J., Walsh C.J., Fletcher T.D., Rutherfurd I.D. & Stewardson environmental and social values they provide. M.J. 2013, Ecologically relevant geomorphic attributes of streams are impaired by even low levels of watershed *Dr Geoff Vietz, the 2010 River Basin Management Society Fellow effective imperviousness (http://www.sciencedirect.com/ of the Trust, is a member of the Waterway Ecosystem Research Group science/article/pii/S0169555X13004777). (http://thewerg.org), and funded by the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (http://watersensitivecities.org.au). These findings, while a sobering reminder of the influence our water management has on aquatic environments, also

Water Sensitive Urban Design: the 8th International Conference, November 2013 Integrated water management in our cities and suburbs was the focus of the 8th International Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Conference, at the Gold Coast, 25–29th November. Presentations highlighted the multiple benefits achieved through better management of water in the urban Rapid inflows of stormwater to urban streams causes changes to the environment, the potential cost savings of distributed water channels. Advanced changes (left), compared to early changes (right). management systems, and the changes to policy that have occurred (and some that are required). There were a significant number of case studies Peter Cullen Trust Fellow Dr Geoff Vietz (2010 River Basin demonstrating implementation of WSUD principles Management Society Fellow) was awarded the prize for Best across regions and cities, from throughout Australia and Paper, for: ‘Water(way) sensitive urban design: addressing internationally. The theory and practice all point towards the causes of channel degradation through catchment-scale a move to better capture, use and promote infiltration of management of water and sediment’*. This ongoing research is stormwater into soil in the urban environment, leading to funded by the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities. healthier freshwater habitats in the receiving waters, for *https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Geoff_Vietz/?ev=hdr_xprf people and aquatic ecosystems. 12 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 The futurefor small systems in managing urban catchments by Professor Geoff Syme* & Raju Dhakal

Institutional and behavioural factors are impeding the application of water sensitive urban design at catchment-wide scale.

An soil moisture, centrally controlled system, some wanted to revert to having integrated reticulation and water sensitive urban their own meters, and many required urban design with swales enhancing recharge. control over their water use and what catchment Residents were offered landscaping with they should grow in their gardens. In approach water efficient plants. short, many residents wish to regain control of their own water use. The to water Early indications are that the aquifer need for metering was also supported management was, if anything improving its levels, and by the Water Corporation perhaps with in our cities PhD evaluation research by Raju Dhakal a view towards being able to gain their is something funded by the Water Corporation traditional role of billing per volume. that seems very desirable for many, showed that in the main the local Some residents also showed an ability especially those with an environmental residents were happy with the system. planning background. to ‘crack’ the central reticulation system At a superficial level all seemed well in itself. Capturing and using water where that the residents were accepting and In all, the outcomes so far seem to it falls, harmonising the wastewater, the Water Corporation’s goal of saving indicate that pragmatically it is cheaper stormwater and potable sources and 35% of scheme water supply looked and easier to revert to a traditional underpinning this with water sensitive likely to be met. Dhakal’s research also supply approach with individual urban design seems to be a laudable showed a causal relationship between meters and self control of irrigation. goal. But while there have been some happiness with the groundwater system However, the relative price of untreated attempts at recycling wastewater and and satisfaction with the resident’s home, groundwater versus scheme water could stormwater, progress on the basic and as such the introduction of such then become an issue. It is little wonder principle of using water where it falls on communal systems did have potential that there is a reversion to larger-scale a catchment-wide basis has largely been benefits for developers. ignored in Australia — except perhaps aquifer recharge recycling schemes and in Sydney with the advent of the Sydney But, while showing promise, it is unlikely desalination technologies to supplement Decentralised Water Plan. that the current system will be repeated water supplies. or even maintained. The weather station While at the small scale these In that Sydney endeavour, small which was never fully connected is likely impediments to innovative water innovations identified in precincts across to be abandoned. There are problems management seem petty, when scaled a catchment are scaled-up in an attempt in terms of cost, and questions about up they represent a major obstacle to to have a catchment-wide influence. who should manage the system into whole of urban catchment management the future once the Water Corporation For this to succeed, some institutional and the fate of programs such as the and the developers move on, leaving an and behavioural impediments will Sydney decentralised system. But if ambiguous role for the local government. have to be overcome. These are economies of scale remain the modus amply demonstrated in a community- These issues are not trivial, especially for operandi of major water utilities, in the based groundwater system recently local government. long term our ability to minimise the championed by the Water Corporation effect of the urban footprint on the There are also household behavioural of Western Australia and the developer. water cycle will be heavily compromised. issues which, while not evident from all This project planned to recycle households, are deeply felt issues for *Professor Geoff Syme, of Edith Cowan groundwater, drawn from a shallow some and consequently need addressing. University, WA, is a Friend of the Peter aquifer, through an outdoor irrigation Currently residents pay equally for the Cullen Trust; Raju Dhakal is a PhD system with watering patterns groundwater depending on lot size. It candidate at Edith Cowan University. prescribed by weather station data, was clear that, despite the logic of the

Irrigation pipes in the topsoil of a household garden-bed (left). A community bore in a local park (right). Photos courtesy of the Water Corporation of Western Australia.

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 13 ‘Rivers of Carbon’ are ‘Rivers of Life’ by Dr Siwan Lovett*

Rivers of Carbon is extending riparian Once we have planned the corridors into the wider terrestrial works to be undertaken on- landscape of the Upper Murrumbidgee site with the landowner, we and Upper Lachlan river catchments to prepare individual species lists facilitate species dispersal in response for each site based on pre-1750 to a changing climate, and provide vegetation (GIS mapped) and any extended habitat. remnants that are on site. Native plants are chosen that are likely The project is also promoting the to thrive in the location, and Carbon Farming Initiative which seeks local provenance stock is used to enable profitability and biodiversity wherever possible. gains to be made in these highly productive areas. Lori Gould (left), of Greening Australia, and Most of the Rivers of Carbon Siwan Lovett (right) manage Rivers of Carbon. sites will be planted with Our Rivers of Carbon team is using Photo: Andrew Tatnell. tubestock. Sites cannot be direct science and local knowledge to identify seeded if they have existing high sites for on-ground works, with a upstream and downstream, enabling fertility or grass competition, and are particular focus on restoring and linking us to fill in the gaps to connect the inaccessible to machinery. For example, habitats for threatened species. creek and create a continuous riparian only two of the currently approved 24 Since we started, the Rivers of Carbon corridor. sites are suitable for direct seeding, and they are due to be sown shortly. team has been incredibly busy. We have So far, the project overall has a mixture been overwhelmed with requests for of riparian and wetland sites, with a Threatened species involvement by landholders keen to few of these linking to remnant grassy work with us. There are now 39 Rivers Protecting threatened species is another box woodland or shrubby forest. We aim of our project. of Carbon sites, and 24 of those have also have some gully erosion sites that works well underway. Larger riparian we are stabilising to prevent sediment In one of our sites, Pudman Creek, sites are being given first priority so we travelling into the river. we had a recent thrill when we found can achieve outcomes such as better Southern Pygmy Perch at a range of ages. water quality, biodiversity, production Process This is significant, because the population benefits and sequestration of carbon as Before work begins, each site is in the Pudman Creek was translocated quickly as possible. thoroughly assessed for its recovery there in an effort to save the species We are particularly excited about the potential, its habitat significance, from the predatory impacts of the new site (photo below) on Jeir Creek riparian linkages, cost effectiveness Redfin fish. The mix of ages means that (a tributary of the Murrumbidgee), in terms of outcomes, and carbon the Southern Pygmy Perch are breeding, because the landholder has agreed to sequestration opportunities. and this is a hopeful sign that these little fish may be on the road to recovery. put in a fence at least 25–30 m from the We also ensure that we collaborate stream to create a riparian corridor. with the relevant Catchment Continued on p. 15 The Jeir Creek site has high recovery Management Authority to see how potential, with few weeds, some existing they assess the site in relation to vegetation, and a stable river bed. In their Catchment Action Plan. By addition, the site links to previous work doing this we are bringing together the science of riparian management with the policies of the day, in this case the Carbon Farming Initiative, as well as working integrally with local catchment plans. We want to be sure our project fits seamlessly into existing institutional structures and policy initiatives. Southern Pygmy Perch are small. The one Luke The new Rivers of Carbon site on Jeir Creek, Pearce is measuring here is almost 5 cm, nose to ‘Yeumburra’, NSW. Photo: Lori Gould. tail tip. Photo: Siwan Lovett.

14 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 ‘Rivers of Carbon’ are ‘Rivers of Life’ continued 7th Australian Stories Story-telling is an integral part of our Stream Management project, and this year we have worked with four groups of landholders (shown in the photographs) to share their Conference stories about being involved in the Rivers of Carbon project. 27–30 July 2014, Rydges Townsville, Qld We publish the stories on the Rivers Registrations are now open. of Carbon website, in publications and through social media, so they can be Follow us on Twitter! @7ASMConference widely shared and accessed. Landholders and fine-wool growers David and Jane Major, ‘Yurrah’, Come and tell your colleagues from around We believe that communicating about Yass, NSW. the nation what you have been up to! how people are being successful in managing land, biodiversity, rivers and Photo: Kylie Nicholls. carbon is very important. As a result For more information contact Geoff Vietz we invest in a range of communication ([email protected]). approaches to enable people to learn http://7asm.org.au/ from both landholders and scientists about how to create and manage rivers and riparian areas for multiple benefits. Continuing this theme of widespread dissemination of experience and knowledge, in 2014 the Rivers of Carbon team will work with more landholders, share more stories and produce an edition of ‘RipRap’ magazine focusing on ‘Climate, Carbon and Riparian Landholder and artist Margie Connectivity’. Fitzpatrick, ‘Australind’, Goulburn, NSW, runs merino We will also run some practical sheep and angus cattle. workshops about sequestering carbon Photo: Kylie Nicholls. to boost environmental and economic on-farm benefits. Sharing stories involves us listening to you as well. Please visit our website and share your knowledge: we have recently developed a facility to enable anyone to register and upload content relating to the Rivers of Carbon project. Our aim is to truly deliver on Joseph Badaracco’s philosophy that: ‘In today’s environment, hoarding knowledge ultimately erodes your power. If you know something very important, the way to get power is by Landholders Allan and Fergus Munns, actually sharing it.’ ‘Suffolk Vale’, on the Boorowa River, NSW, run prime lambs and beef cattle. The Rivers of Carbon project is funded Photo: Kylie Nicholls. through the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund, Landholders the McCormack and is managed by the Australian River Family, ‘Red Hill’ and ‘Mt Restoration Centre, in partnership with Henry’, Crookwell, NSW, who Greening Australia Capital Region. run merino sheep and some cattle. *Dr Siwan Lovett, a Friend of the Photo: Kylie Nicholls. Trust, is Director of the Australian River Restoration Centre. www.riversofcarbon.org.au

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 15 New Victorian Waterway Management Strategy released by Dr Sarina Loo* & Dr Amber Clarke*

Strategy in late 2012 also allowed This new strategy encourages a all members of the public to have partnership approach between their say on the proposed policy government and communities,’ and actions. A series of regional said Minister for Water, Peter Walsh, in a information sessions were also held media release. at ten locations across Victoria to To coincide with the strategy’s release, explain the draft policy and listen to Mr Walsh also launched the ‘Love Our feedback from the community. (See Waterways’ campaign encouraging article in BRIDGING no. 5, Summer Victorians to get involved in caring for 2012.) Victoria’s waterways. A total of 78 formal submissions Victorians can submit pictures of were received from the public The group at the launch of the Strategy, themselves enjoying Victoria’s waterways consultation process and this feedback in an appropriate location. via an Instagram competition for a informed the development of the final chance to win a $1000 houseboat Strategy. A report on key themes from experience on the River Murray. the public consultation period and In October 2013, the Victorian proposed changes for the final strategy (Simply follow @depivictoria, upload the Government launched a new, eight-year was sent to all submitters and was made picture with the location enabled and strategy for improving the management available on the DEPI website. include #lovewaterways in the caption. and health of Victoria’s rivers, estuaries ‘Whether it’s fishing, swimming, For more information and competition and wetlands (waterways). The ‘Victorian irrigation, water sports or just terms, conditions and privacy Waterway Management Strategy’ aims enjoying the natural environment, requirements see www.depi.vic.gov.au/ to maintain or improve the condition Victorians appreciate and use lovewaterways .) of waterways so they can support their waterways for many different Dr Sarina Loo and Dr Amber environmental, social, cultural and reasons. Keeping our waterways Clarke have managed the Strategy’s economic values that are important healthy is a shared responsibility. development. At least seven of the to communities. It provides direction Trust’s Friends as well as three Fellows for regional decision-making, of the Peter Cullen Trust have investment and management also been involved, in reference issues for waterways, as well as panels and other ways. the roles and responsibilities of management agencies. Aspirational targets are included *Dr Amber in the strategy for long-term Clarke is the resource condition outcomes 2013 Dept of (to be achieved in eight or Environment more years) and management & Primary Industries outcomes (to be achieved in Victoria Fellow years 1 to 8). Progress against of the Trust, these targets will be publicly and reported in 2016 and 2020 by Dr Sarina Loo is the Department of Environment the 2010 Dept and Primary Industries (DEPI). of Sustainability & Environment The development of this strategy Victoria Fellow has involved a strong program of the Trust and of stakeholder consultation. also a Trust Four dedicated committees Director. provided vital direction for the development of draft policies and action. A six-week public The Strategy is available at: consultation period on the Draft www.depi.vic.gov.au/water/rivers- Victorian Waterway Management estuaries-and-wetlands/strategy- and-planning/

16 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 Index of Stream Condition (Victoria) now uses remote sensing technology by Paul Wilson, Dr Amber Clarke* & Dr Sarina Loo*

The Victorian Government released the The remote sensing technology has development and land clearing in the third ‘Index of Stream Condition’ (ISC3) provided the most detailed and accurate east. report in September 2013. assessment of riparian vegetation and • It is difficult to directly compare the physical form of river channels to the 2004 and 2010 results because The report provides a snapshot of river date. In previous assessments, these were health for approximately 29,000 km of of the changes in methods used. assessed by a limited number of random However, in broad terms (at major rivers and streams in Victoria. It field sites. This time, there was complete follows previous reports in 1999 and the reach scale), the 2004 and coverage (over both river banks) over 2010 results are very similar. In 2004 and it is a product of the Victorian the 29,000 km of rivers assessed. The Government’s established condition many respects this should not be project was the largest operational use surprising because Victoria endured monitoring program for rivers, which of these remote sensing technologies is overseen by the Department of the severe millennium drought to assess river condition anywhere in (from 1997 to 2009) and several Environment and Primary Industries Australia. (DEPI). large bushfires in recent years, The ISC3 report provides detailed and significant improvements in The monitoring program provides a data for a variety of other uses, such as condition would not be expected in ‘snapshot’ of river condition at a point identifying priority management activities these situations. in time. It is not specifically designed to in each region to guide government • Severe recent bushfires continue to monitor trend (that is, directional change investment and to inform targets for influence river condition. These fires in condition over time). waterway health. The remote sensing include the 2003 Great Divide fire, For the first time, state-of-the-art data is also being used to improve 2006 Grampians fire, 2007 Victorian remote sensing technology was used flood risk mapping and flood warning Alps fire and the 2009 Black to provide a more accurate and systems, which will significantly cut the Saturday fires. comprehensive picture of river health cost of floods to the community and the • Extra analysis undertaken as part than ever before. The remote sensing government. of the assessment shows that the technologies include aerial photography Major findings entire state was affected by drought, and Light Detection and Ranging and effects were worst in the south- (LiDAR). The LiDAR sensor is attached These are some of the key results from west, especially in the Wimmera, to a light aircraft and works by emitting the third Index of Stream Condition Glenelg and Portland basins. a laser beam of light that detects the assessment. light that is reflected back from objects • Across Victoria, 23% of stream At least seven of the Trust’s Friends in the landscape. This information is length assessed was in good or and four Fellows of the Trust have been then processed and the light returns are excellent condition. involved in development of ISC3. separated into bare ground or buildings • River condition is better in the east Paul Wilson, VDEPI; *Dr Amber Clarke, or vegetation. It allows the creation of of Victoria than the west — largely 2013 VDEPI Fellow of the Trust; very accurate three-dimensional images because there is less water resource *Dr Sarina Loo, VDEPI, a Trust Director of the terrain and landscape features. and 2010 VDSE Fellow of the Trust.

A typical LiDAR image of river, vegetation and paddocks (above). Percentage stream length in good or excellent condition (right): blue = >50%, red, orange = 0–30%. Images: VDEPI. The report is at: www.depi.vic.gov.au/water/water-resource-reporting/

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 17 Graduation & dinner of the 2013 Fellows of the Trust continued from p. 1 Kaye Cavanagh (Fellow 2011) gave a synopsis of the activities of the National Fellows Network, through which the Fellows across Australia and from various Leadership Programs identify and act on common interests and issues. The focal point of the evening naturally was the presentation of certificates to the new 15 Fellows, by Kerry Olsson, CEO (acting) of the National Water Commission. The National Water Commission donated the seed funding to initiate the Trust in 2009. All this year’s Fellows had co- sponsors, and many of the sponsors and organisations were represented by senior figures at the event. Ross Hardie (Purves Environmental Fund Fellow of the Trust, 2010) was auctioneer, coaxing substantial bids from the guests for eight items, including seven beautiful paintings, all donated by generous Friend of the Trust Professor (Emeritus) Kath Bowmer, a much awarded artist. With unusual names such as ‘Pomingalarna: the track home’ (a pair, one in daylight and one at night), and ‘Silvery trees’, Kath’s paintings show the astonishingly evocative images she can create using materials such as boot polish, ink, crackle medium, fabric dye and paint. Dr Carolina Casaril (Fellow 2011) again generously donated three-days’ stay at a large beach house on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Professor Craig Pearson, a Trust Director, and his wife managed the raffle for a number of other items kindly donated to the Trust for this year’s event, including RM Williams shirts, desirable botanical line drawings by Kath Bowmer as card and envelope writing sets, a very large flowerpot from Posh Pots, and more. The raffle tickets sold very well.

L–r, top down: Prof the Hon John Thwaites (Board Chair), Jeremy Cox (2012), Chris Arnott (2010). Kaye Cavanagh (2011) speaks. Fellows 2013 with Leith Boully (2nd from left): Matthew Fullerton, Dena Fam, Dr Andrew Sharpe, Dave Miller, Dr Barbara Robson. Kerry Olsson & Greg Bain (2013). Ross Hardie (2010) auctioning ‘The spirit of the forest’. Prof Craig Pearson, Bridget Wetherall (2013), Prof John Langford AM, Vicki Cullen. Panel for Fellows’ presentation: Dr David Lemon, Emma Carmody, Jonathan La Nauze, Brendan Barry, Matthew Fullerton. Leadership Program facilitator Rob Patrick with Dr Siwan Lovett. Jon Black with Leadership Program facilitator Leith Boully. 15 new Fellows of the Trust for 2013. Photos: Andrew Sikorski.

18 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 The Peter Cullen Trust gratefully acknowledges these generous sponsors, 2013–14

Photos top down: Dr Will Glamore (2013, centre) with Grantly Smith & Bill Pierson, representing his sponsor UNSW Water Generous donor Research Lab. Dr Amber Clarke (2013) & Professor John Linda Christesen (2011) with John Riddiford, Langford AM, representing Amber’s sponsor Department of one of the Environment and Primary Industries Victoria. Trust’s Directors. Emma Bishop & Bridget Wetherall (2013) with Simon Want, representing their sponsor the Office of Living Victoria. Dr Sarina Loo (2010) with Nerida Wilson (2013) & Dr Stuart Minchin, representing her sponsor Geoscience Australia. Photos: Andrew Sikorski.

BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013 19 Letter from a Friend When will we take action to reduce diffuse pollution?

Peter Cullen often remarked that most for the environment alone has significant water reforms in Australia not been a significant enough were driven by crisis. The millennium driver of change. drought lifted the pace of reform, as In recent years, a compelling governments invested billions of dollars business case, the ‘Saving to tackle threats to water security in our Bay’ proposal, has called many of our cities and larger towns, for investment in catchment and the environmental and social rehabilitation to reduce diffuse costs of water resource development pollution. It quantified that in the Murray-Darling Basin reached tackling the source of the unacceptable levels. During this period, problem is cheaper than building there was agreement on a new National new water treatment plants or Water Initiative, the establishment of Lockyer catchment post-flood ‘recovery’ works, building new dams to replace the National Water Commission, a 2011, have made the channel network more storage capacity lost through new Water Act and Murray-Darling vulnerable to erosion. Photo: S. Bunn. sedimentation, or the costs to Basin Agreement, the creation of a recreational and commercial Commonwealth Environmental Water floodplain wetlands and the introduction fisheries and tourism from poor quality Office and, ultimately, the approval of of grazing livestock have led to water in Moreton Bay. the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Drought- flashier flows in response to intense breaking rain in 2010–11 brought rain events, and concentrated flow This sound economic argument has also mostly welcome relief but perhaps also in gullies and channels. These effects clearly been insufficient to drive change. dampened some of the enthusiasm for have been complicated by clearing and What will it take to stimulate the new change. We will now have to wait for the straightening of channels, construction step-change in investment in riparian (inevitable) next dry phase to measure of levees, clearing and burning of ‘infrastructure’ that is required to tackle the success of these and other reforms. riparian vegetation, and removal of diffuse pollution at the appropriate scale? The breaking drought, however, also sand and gravel from channels and How can we convince the public and brought a different (but not new) set floodplains. Combined, these factors policy-makers of the need and urgency of challenges for catchment and water have significantly increased the speed to address this problem? management. Flooding across southern and power of floodwaters in stream channels that now have little resistance This is a challenge not just in south-east Australia and Queensland in 2010–11 led Queensland: the same problems affect to the evacuation of towns, more than to erosion. More than half of the 48,000 km of channel network in south- river health and coastal ecosystems 30 casualties, and widespread damage across the country. We must re-think to private and public property. The east Queensland is considered to be in poor condition. our key messages to decision makers, estimated total cost to the Australian because environmental and economic economy was over $30 billion. Why have we not been able to fix arguments alone are not enough. Peter this problem? After three decades of In 2013 another flood in south-east was a master at this. Landcare, including a 10-year investment Queensland caused significant additional in research and knowledge adoption The facts are clear: destructive flood damage to stream channels and through Land and Water Australia’s events will occur again, and investing in floodplain farmland. The city of Brisbane National Riparian Lands program, it riparian management will minimise the was only six hours from running out is well accepted that rehabilitation of losses, risks and costs, and improve the of drinking water because the main riparian vegetation can improve stream health of our waterways. Can there be a treatment plant became overwhelmed health, increase channel bank stability more compelling argument? with sediment. The resulting mud plume and reduce erosion. in Moreton Bay at the mouth of the Professor Stuart Bunn Brisbane River is estimated to be three We have known for over a decade that Friend of the Peter Cullen Trust times larger than it was 10 years ago: most sediment entering Moreton Bay is Professor Stuart Bunn is the Director of the once-valuable farm soil threatens the derived from channel erosion, specifically Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University, seagrass beds, dugongs, turtles and from degraded riparian lands in the Chair of the Executive Scientific Expert significant recreational and commercial Lockyer catchment where much of the Panel of the Healthy Waterways Partnership fisheries of this Ramsar-listed wetland. region’s productive farmland is located. in SE Queensland and a member of the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Extreme events like this illustrate the The public has been made aware, via Environmental Sciences for the Murray-Darling vulnerability of our rivers and coastal the highly acclaimed Healthy Waterways Basin Authority. Like Peter, he has previously ecosystems to altered catchment land Report Card and associated science served as a National Water Commissioner, a use and hydrology since European and monitoring program, that diffuse Director of Land and Water Australia, and as settlement. Widespread clearing of pollution can be tackled through better Chair of the Scientific Advisory Panel for the Lake catchment vegetation, draining of riparian management. Yet public concern Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum.

20 BRIDGING, Newsletter of the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust, Summer 2013