Murray-Darling Basin Annual Report 2014-15
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN The Murray–Darling Basin Authority acknowledges and 'The environment that pays respect to the Traditional Aboriginal people know Owners, and their Nations, as Country has not been of the Murray–Darling Basin, allowed to have a voice in who have a deep cultural, contemporary Australia. social, environmental, spiritual Aboriginal First Nations have and economic connection to been listening to Country for their lands and waters. The many thousands of years MDBA understands the need and can speak for Country so for recognition of Traditional that others can know what Owner knowledge and cultural values in natural resource Country needs. Through the management associated with the basin. Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations and the The approach of Traditional Owners to caring for the Northern Basin Aboriginal natural landscape, including water, can be expressed in Nations the voice of Country the words of Darren Perry (Chair of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations) can be heard by all.' BARAPA BARAPA BARKINDJI (PAAKANTYI) NARI NARI NGARRINDJERI BARUNGGAM BIDJARA NGEMBA NGINTAIT BIGAMBUL BUDJITI NGIYAMPAA NYERI NYERI DHUDHUROA DJA DJA WURRUNG TATTI TATTI TAUNGURUNG EUAHLAYI GAMILAROI WADI WADI WAILWAN GITHABUL GUNGGARI WAMBA WAMBA WAKKA WAKKA GWAMU (KOOMA) JAROWAIR WAYWURRU WEGI WEGI KAMBUWAL KUNJA WERGAIA WIRADJURI KWIAMBUL LATJI LATJI WOLGALU WOTJABALUK MALJANGAPA MANDANDANJI YAITMATHANG YITA YITA MARAURA MARDIGAN YORTA YORTA MURRAWARRI MUTTI MUTTI This report may contain photographs or quotes by Aboriginal people who have passed away. Most Aboriginal words can be spelt more than one way in English so spellings may vary in this publication. Aboriginal names for rivers have been added in some places. MDBA annual report 2015–16 CONTENTS 01 About the MDBA 04 Financials F Features 6 About us 116 Chief Finance 25 Staff snapshot: meet Officer’s report Arika — why I work 8 Performance snapshot where I work 119 Financial statements 10 Chief Executive’s review 121 Independent 31 Staff snapshot: 11 Financial overview auditor’s report meet Siobhan — why I work where I work 32 Travelling north 02 Our performance Appendices and 45 S taff snapshot: 05 references 14 Our reporting approach meet Willem — why I work where I work 16 Goal 1: Implement the 156 Appendix A Joint Basin Plan program goals and key 69 A graduate's experience performance indicators — meet Sophie 26 Goal 2: Strengthen engagement with the 163 Appendix B The community Regulator Performance Framework 34 Goal 3: Evaluate the outcomes of basin water 165 Appendix C Governance reforms bodies — meetings and outcomes 46 Goal 4: Operate the River Murray system 170 Appendix D Communication 64 Goal 5: Improve the products knowledge base 171 Appendix E Agency 70 Annual performance resource statement and statements resources for outcome 1 80 Our year at a glance 173 Appendix F Advertising 82 Our history and market research 174 Appendix G Management and Ecologically sustainable accountability development and 03 environmental performance 87 Our structure, governance and 176 Abbreviations and management acronyms 96 Risk management 177 Scientific names fo plants and animals 99 Our people 178 Glossary 101 Our workforce 182 Content requirements 106 Work health and safety 184 Index 109 Our planning and finances 113 Our information resources MDBA annual report 2015–16 QUEENSLAND Charleville Roma BRISBANE Toowoomba Cunnamulla St George Currawinya Lakes NORTHERN Goondiwindi BASIN Dirranbandi Narran Lake Moree Bourke Gwydir Wetlands Paroo River Narrabri Wetlands Tamworth SOUTH Macquarie Marshes AUSTRALIA Broken Hill NEW SOUTH WALES Dubbo Ivanhoe Banrock Station Forbes Orange Wetland Complex Riverland SOUTHERN Cowra SYDNEY Renmark Wentworth BASIN Griffith Fivebough-Tuckerbil Mildura Hattah-Kulkyne NSW Central ADELAIDE Murray Lakes Murray State Forests Wagga Bridge Leeton Wagga Pinnaroo Swan Hill CANBERRA Ginini Flats Lake Albacutya Deniliquin wetland Barmah Forest ACT Coorong and Lakes complex Alexandrina and Albert Echuca Albury Horsham Bendigo Shepparton Seymour VICTORIA Gunbower Forest MELBOURNE Kerang Wetlands 2 MDBA annual report 2015–16 QUEENSLAND Charleville Roma BRISBANE Toowoomba Cunnamulla St George Currawinya Lakes NORTHERN Goondiwindi BASIN Dirranbandi Narran Lake Moree Bourke Gwydir Wetlands Paroo River Narrabri Wetlands Tamworth SOUTH Macquarie Marshes AUSTRALIA Broken Hill NEW SOUTH WALES Dubbo Ivanhoe Banrock Station Forbes Orange Wetland Complex Riverland SOUTHERN Cowra SYDNEY Renmark Wentworth BASIN Griffith Fivebough-Tuckerbil Mildura Hattah-Kulkyne NSW Central ADELAIDE Murray Lakes Murray State Forests Wagga Bridge Leeton Wagga Pinnaroo Swan Hill CANBERRA Ginini Flats Lake Albacutya Deniliquin wetland Barmah Forest ACT Coorong and Lakes complex Alexandrina and Albert Echuca Albury Horsham Bendigo Shepparton Seymour VICTORIA Irrigation area (indicative) Gunbower MELBOURNE Forest Ramsar site Kerang Wetlands Murray–Darling Basin snapshot 50% of Australia’s irrigated produce, Within the basin, there are over area of irrigated production — 46 Aboriginal Nations 1.6 million hectares Gross value of agricultural production There are 16 wetlands listed $19.4 billion as internationally significant (of this $7.1 billion from irrigation) (Ramsar sites) Around 40% of all farms in Australia Population of over 2 million are in the basin — almost 51,000 people (around 10% of Australia’s farms population) MDBA annual report 2015–16 3 Chapter 1 MDBA4 staff set up a week long display at QuestaconMDBA annual (the report National 2015–16 Science and Technology Centre) around World Water Day Chapter(photo 1by About Brayden the MDBA Dykes). 01 ABOUT THE MDBA About us 6 Our performance snapshot 8 Chief Executive’s review 10 Financial overview 11 MDBA annual report 2015–16 5 Chapter 1 About the MDBA ABOUT US The Murray–Darling Basin Authority establishes Our guiding principles and monitors the sustainable and integrated We adhere to the Australian Public Service management of the water resources of the Values and Code of Conduct, meaning we are Murray–Darling Basin. We do this in a way apolitical, impartial, professional, accountable, that best meets the social, economic and respectful, careful and diligent. environmental needs of the basin and its communities. We value and support collaboration and have shown this by working closely with We work in collaboration with other Australian communities, governments and industries. We Government agencies, basin state governments, have continued to work with the basin states local governments, regional bodies, industry (which includes the Australian Capital Territory), groups, landholders, environmental the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, organisations, scientists, research organisations other Australian Government agencies and basin and Murray–Darling Basin communities, communities to implement the Basin Plan. We including Aboriginal communities, and the continue to make changes to our strategies and broader Australian community. frameworks based on feedback we receive. Our vision To achieve a healthy working basin through the integrated management of water resources for the long-term benefit of the Australian community. Our mission We lead the planning and management of basin water resources in collaboration with partner governments and the community. 6 MDBA annual report 2015–16 Chapter 1 About the MDBA Photo by Alisha Caldwell Our role Our legislation The primary roles of the MDBA include: The Water Act 2007¹ establishes the MDBA as a statutory authority. The Act also sets out the » preparing, implementing and reviewing an role of the MDBA in developing a Basin Plan integrated plan for the sustainable use of the and performing functions under the Murray– basin’s water resources Darling Basin Agreement 2008, in particular the » operating the River Murray system and management of River Murray Operations. efficiently delivering water to users on behalf of partner governments In addition to our functions under the Water Act, the MDBA has functions under the » measuring, monitoring and recording the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement, which forms quality and quantity of the basin’s water Schedule 1 to the Act. These include giving resources and the condition of associated effect to decisions of the Murray–Darling Basin rivers, wetlands and floodplains Ministerial Council and the Basin Officials » supporting, encouraging and conducting Committee in relation to the basin governments’ research and investigations about the basin’s joint programs. water resources and dependent ecosystems » disseminating information about the basin’s The MDBA delivers its functions under the water resources and dependent ecosystems Agreement in conjunction with and on behalf of the contracting governments — the Australian » engaging and educating the Australian Government and the governments of Victoria, community about the basin’s water South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland resources. and the Australian Capital Territory. 1 Unless otherwise indicated, all Acts referred to in this publication are Commonwealth Acts. MDBA annual report 2015–16 7 Chapter 1 About the MDBA OUR PERFORMANCE SNAPSHOT Performance outcome Equitable and sustainable use of the Murray–Darling Basin by governments and the community including through development and implementation of a Basin Plan, operation of the River Murray system, shared natural resource management programs, research,