An Audit of Seven Environmental Bulk Entitlements – Recommended, Planned, and Actual Release of Environmental Water to Victoria’S Stressed Rivers

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

An Audit of Seven Environmental Bulk Entitlements – Recommended, Planned, and Actual Release of Environmental Water to Victoria’S Stressed Rivers An Audit of Seven Environmental Bulk Entitlements – Recommended, Planned, and Actual Release of Environmental Water to Victoria’s Stressed Rivers A report for the Healthy Rivers Campaign, Environment Victoria Author: Matt Stafford, ME, University of Melbourne, 2008 . Page 1 of 53 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................................................5 MAIN FINDINGS ....................................................................................................................................................................................6 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT................................................................................................................................................................7 PART 1: INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................................................................8 1.1 A DEFINITION OF ‘ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS’ ....................................................................................................................................8 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS AND THE VICTORIAN POLICY CONTEXT....................................................................................................11 1.2.1 MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS................................................................................................................................13 1.3 IMPORTANT ISSUES TO CONSIDER WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW AUDITING.....................................................................................13 PART 2: THE ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW AUDIT ...............................................................................................................................................15 2.1 MURRAY RIVER – FLORA AND FAUNA BULK ENTITLEMENT..................................................................................................16 2.1.1 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................................................................16 2.1.2 RECOMMENDED RELEASE OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER (2006/7)................................................................................................17 2.1.3 ACTUAL RELEASES OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER (2006/7)..........................................................................................................17 2.1.4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES................................................................................................................17 2.2 BARMAH-MILLEWA FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL WATER ALLOCATION...............................................................................18 2.2.1 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................................................................18 2.2.2 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS ..................................................................................................................................18 2.2.3 ACTUAL ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES - 2005-6 ...............................................................................................................19 2.2.4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES................................................................................................................20 2.3 WIMMERA AND GLENELG RIVERS....................................................................................................................................................21 2.3.1 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................................................................21 2.3.2 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS ..................................................................................................................................21 2.3.3 ACTUAL RELEASES OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER 2005/6 ............................................................................................................21 2.3.4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES................................................................................................................22 2.4 SNOWY RIVER..........................................................................................................................................................................................24 2.4.1 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................................................................24 2.4.2 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES .................................................................................................................25 2.4.3 ACTUAL RELEASE OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER ..........................................................................................................................26 2.4.4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES................................................................................................................27 2.5 THOMSON RIVER ..............................................................................................................................................................................................28 2.5.1 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................................................................28 2.5.2 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES .................................................................................................................28 2.5.3 ACTUAL ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES 2005/6 .................................................................................................................28 2.5.4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES 2005/6....................................................................................................28 2.6 LODDON RIVER .................................................................................................................................................................................................30 2.6.1 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................................................................30 2.6.2 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS ..................................................................................................................................30 2.6.3 ACTUAL ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES 2006/7 .................................................................................................................30 2.6.4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES................................................................................................................31 2.7 YARRA RIVER.....................................................................................................................................................................................................32 2.7.1 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................................................................32 2.7.2 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW RELEASES ...................................................................................................................32 2.7.3 ACTUAL ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES 2006/7 .................................................................................................................32 2.7.4 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WATER RELEASES................................................................................................................32 PART 3: CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS.......................................................................................................................34 Page 2 of 53 THE MURRAY RIVER FLORA AND FAUNA BULK ENTITLEMENT ...............................................................................................................34 THE MURRAY RIVER BARMAH-MILLEWA FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL WATER ALLOCATION ......................................................................34 WIMMERA-GLENELG RIVERS ..............................................................................................................................................................35 SNOWY RIVER ...................................................................................................................................................................................35 THOMSON RIVER................................................................................................................................................................................36 LODDON RIVER ..................................................................................................................................................................................36 YARRA RIVER ....................................................................................................................................................................................36 IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW AUDIT PROCESS...........................................................................................37
Recommended publications
  • Thomson River-Rainbow Creek
    WEST GIPPSLAND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Thomson River-Rainbow Creek Waterway Management Plan 2020 Acknowledgements The Thomson Rainbow Waterway Management Plan was co-developed through the collective effort of a number of individuals and organisations, including: • Project Working Group members: Cr. Carolyn Crossley (Chair), Trevor Astbury, Norm Drew, Beverly Hookey, Merv Whittaker, Phil Taylor, Malcolm Stewart and representatives from Gippsland Water, Wellington Shire Council, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Southern Rural Water and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority • Project Steering Committee members: Southern Rural Water and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority • Project Team: Natural Decisions (Geoff Park and Anna Roberts), Blue Sense Consulting (Michelle Dickson), Professor Ian Rutherfurd, and Water Technology (consulting support) • Interested community members and landholders who participated in community forums and the supporting studies for this plan. Acknowledgement of Country The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Land Owners of the Thomson – Rainbow Creek area, the Gunaikurnai people. We also recognise the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations in land and natural resource management. Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) and its consultants and employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose. The mapping and modelling outputs represented in this Plan are not definitive and provided for indicative purposes only. It therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • DUCK HUNTING in VICTORIA 2020 Background
    DUCK HUNTING IN VICTORIA 2020 Background The Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012 provide for an annual duck season running from 3rd Saturday in March until the 2nd Monday in June in each year (80 days in 2020) and a 10 bird bag limit. Section 86 of the Wildlife Act 1975 enables the responsible Ministers to vary these arrangements. The Game Management Authority (GMA) is an independent statutory authority responsible for the regulation of game hunting in Victoria. Part of their statutory function is to make recommendations to the relevant Ministers (Agriculture and Environment) in relation to open and closed seasons, bag limits and declaring public and private land open or closed for hunting. A number of factors are reviewed each year to ensure duck hunting remains sustainable, including current and predicted environmental conditions such as habitat extent and duck population distribution, abundance and breeding. This review however, overlooks several reports and assessments which are intended for use in managing game and hunting which would offer a more complete picture of habitat, population, abundance and breeding, we will attempt to summarise some of these in this submission, these include: • 2019-20 Annual Waterfowl Quota Report to the Game Licensing Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries • Assessment of Waterfowl Abundance and Wetland Condition in South- Eastern Australia, South Australian Department for Environment and Water • Victorian Summer waterbird Count, 2019, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research As a key stakeholder representing 17,8011 members, Field & Game Australia Inc. (FGA) has been invited by GMA to participate in the Stakeholder Meeting and provide information to assist GMA brief the relevant Ministers, FGA thanks GMA for this opportunity.
    [Show full text]
  • World's Major Rivers
    WWWWWWoorrlldd’’ss mmaajjoorr rriivveerrss AAnn IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn ttoo iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall wwwwwwaatteerr llaawwwwww wwwwwwiitthh ccaassee ssttuuddiieess THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK WWWWWWoorrlldd’’ss mmaajjoorr rriivveerrss An introduction to international water law with case studies Colorado River Commission of Nevada 555 E. Washington Avenue, Suite 3100 Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Phone: (702) 486-2670 Website: http://crc.nv.gov November 2008 Jacob (Jay) D. Bingham, Chairman Ace I. Robinson, Vice Chairman Andrea Anderson, Commissioner Marybel Batjer, Commissioner Chip Maxfield, Commissioner George F. Ogilvie III, Commissioner Lois Tarkanian, Commissioner George M. Caan, Executive Director Primary Author: Daniel Seligman, Attorney at Law Columbia Research Corp. P.O. Box 99249 Seattle, Washington 98139 (206) 285-1185 Project Editors: McClain Peterson, Project Manager Manager, Natural Resource Division Colorado River Commission of Nevada Sara Price Special Counsel-Consultant Colorado River Commission of Nevada Esther Valle Natural Resource Analyst Colorado River Commission of Nevada Nicole Everett Natural Resource Analyst Colorado River Commission of Nevada THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK World’s Major Rivers ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Daniel Seligman at the Columbia Research Corp. wishes to thank Jacqueline Pruner, attorney at law in Seattle, for her contribution to the section on water law in Canada and her valuable editing assistance throughout the entire document. The staff at the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and Goulburn-Murray Water in Australia provided important information about the Murray-Darling River system, patiently answered the author’s questions, and reviewed the draft text on water trading. Staff at the International Joint Commission in Washington, D.C., and the Prairie Provinces Water Board in Regina, Canada, also offered helpful comments on an earlier draft.
    [Show full text]
  • River Murray Operations | Murray–Darling Basin Authority August 2020
    River Murray Key facts The River Murray is Australia’s longest operations river and flows for more than 2500 kilometres through New South The River Murray flows through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Wales, Victoria and South Australia, sustaining rural towns and communities, supporting Several major rivers join the Murray, including the agricultural production and nourishing many Goulburn, Murrumbidgee unique Australian plants and animals. and Darling, and many smaller rivers and MDBA River Operations is responsible for operating the tributaries on its westward River Murray on behalf of the joint governments of New journey to the sea. South Wales (NSW), Victoria and South Australia. Key water regulation assets under control of the MDBA The Murray–Darling Basin include Dartmouth Dam, Hume Dam, Yarrawonga Weir, Agreement (the Agreement) Torrumbarry Weir, Lake Victoria and the locks and weirs sets out the water sharing from Lock 15 at Euston to Lock 7 at Rufus River. rules across the states. The MDBA determines the volume of water released to meet demands, but does not own any water and can only The main storages in the release water from storage when there are state orders or River Murray are system demands to be met. Dartmouth Dam, Hume Dam, Yarrawonga Weir The physical operation of structures is managed by water and Lake Victoria. authorities in each state. This includes Menindee Lakes on the Darling River, which contributes some water for use in the Murray system, but is managed by the NSW Other major storages Government. Additionally, the MDBA does not operate the connected to the system River Murray downstream of the South Australian border, (but not the responsibility where the South Australian Government take on this role.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Watering Supports Wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin
    Environmental watering supports wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin 25 / Wetlands Australia February 2015 Classifying aquatic ecosystems in the Murray–Darling Basin Alana Wilkes (Commonwealth Environmental Water Officer (CEWO)), Benjamin Docker (CEWO), Rebecca White (Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)), Ashraf L. Hanna (MDBA), Ian Neave (MDBA), Amy O’Brien (CEWO), Neil Freeman (Australian Department of the Environment), Paul Marsh (Australian Department of the Environment), Tristan Skinner (CEWO) The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and Murray–Darling Basin Authority have jointly developed an interim classification and typology of aquatic ecosystems across Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin. The classification project The multi-jurisdictional project integrated state-based classification work and was informed by The project was developed using the interim state governments and the scientific community. Australian National Aquatic Ecosystems (ANAE) Over 250 000 aquatic ecosystem features and Classification Framework structure shown in Figure 1. attribute data were compiled into a single database. The ANAE classification framework establishes a Features were assigned across almost 100 lacustrine, nationally agreed, consistent and systematic palustrine, estuarine, riverine and floodplain types method for classifying aquatic ecosystems in based on physical and ecological attributes the Australian landscape. (see example at Figure 2). Results The classification project resulted in the collection and incorporation of a large range of ecosystem types into the database, including approximately: • 8400 lacustrine (lake) features • 37 000 palustrine (wetland) features, see Figure 3 • 157 000 riverine (stream) segments • 33 000 floodplain units Figure 1: Structure and levels of the Interim Australian • 37 estuarine units within the Coorong National Aquatic Ecosystems Classification Framework and Murray Mouth.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix F. Statement of Heritage Impacts
    Hume Battery Energy Storage System Environmental Impact Statement Appendix F. Statement of Heritage Impacts Hume Battery Energy Storage System Statement of Heritage Impact IA213400_Hume BESS SOHI | Final 28 July 2020 Meridian Energy Australia Statement of Heritage Impact Meridian Energy Australia Statement of Heritage Impact Hume Battery Energy Storage System Project No: IA213400 Document Title: Statement of Heritage Impact Document No.: IA213400_Hume BESS SOHI Revision: Final Date: 28 July 2020 Client Name: Meridian Energy Australia Project Manager: Thomas Muddle Author: Deborah Farina File Name: IA213400 Hume BESS SOHI_Final Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Limited ABN 37 001 024 095 Level 7, 177 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia PO Box 632 North Sydney NSW 2059 Australia T +61 2 9928 2100 F +61 2 9928 2444 www.jacobs.com © Copyright 2019 Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Limited. The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Jacobs. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Jacobs constitutes an infringement of copyright. Limitation: This document has been prepared on behalf of, and for the exclusive use of Jacobs’ client, and is subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the client. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for, or in respect of, any use of, or reliance upon, this document by any third party. IA213400_Hume BESS SOHI i Statement of Heritage Impact Contents Executive Summary
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3. Landscape, People and Economy
    Chapter 3. Landscape, people and economy Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 3. Landscape, people and economy This chapter provides a brief description of the landscape, people and economic drivers in the water resource plan areas. Working rivers The rivers of these water resource plan areas provide many environmental, economic, and social benefits for Victorian communities. Most of northern Victoria’s rivers have been modified from their natural state to varying degrees. These modifications have affected hydrologic regimes, physical form, riparian vegetation, water quality and instream ecology. Under the Basin Plan it is not intended that these rivers and streams be restored to a pre-development state, but that they are managed as ‘working rivers’ with agreed sustainable levels of modification and use and improved ecological values and functions. 3.1 Features of Victorian Murray water resource plan area The Victorian Murray water resource plan area covers a broad range of aquatic environments from the highlands streams in the far east, to the floodplains and wetlands of the Murray River in the far west of the state. There are several full river systems in the water resource plan area, including the Kiewa and Mitta Mitta rivers. Other rivers that begin in different water resource plan areas converge with the River Murray in the Victorian Murray water resource plan area. There are a significant number of wetlands in this area, these wetlands are managed by four catchment management authorities (CMAs): North East, Goulburn Broken, North Central and Mallee and their respective land managers. The Victorian Murray water resource plan area extends from Omeo in the far east of Victoria to the South Australian border in the north west of the state.
    [Show full text]
  • SES Generic Document Vertical
    Mount Alexander Shire FLOOD EMERGENCY PLAN A Sub-Plan of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan For Mount Alexander Shire Council and VICSES Unit Castlemaine Version 2, July 2019 “Intentionally Blank”. Mount Alexander Shire Flood Emergency Plan – A Sub-Plan of the MEMP ii Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................ iii Distribution of MFEP ........................................................................................................................................ v Document Transmittal Form / Amendment Certificate ................................................................................. v List of Abbreviations & Acronyms ................................................................................................................. vi Part 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Approval and Endorsement .................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Purpose and Scope of this Flood Emergency Plan ................................................................................ 8 1.3 Municipal Flood Planning Committee (MFPC) ....................................................................................... 8 1.4 Responsibility for Planning, Review & Maintenance of this Plan ..........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Condition of Rivers and Streams in the Latrobe, Thomson and Avon Catchments
    ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE LATROBE, THOMSON AND AVON CATCHMENTS Publication 832 March 2002 1 INTRODUCTION activities have contributed to a significant change in the quantity and quality of water delivered to Lake This publication provides an overview of the Wellington and there is a significant amount of environmental condition of the rivers and streams in public concern regarding impacts on the health of the Latrobe, Thomson and Avon catchments1 (Figure the Gippsland Lakes. 1). The Latrobe and Thomson river systems, for The Latrobe, Thomson and Avon catchments contain example, contribute approximately twice the some of Victoria’s most significant river systems. nutrient inputs to the Gippsland Lakes than all other Located in the Gippsland region of Victoria, these riverine inputs. The most significant nutrient loading three river systems form the total catchment of Lake is associated with high flow events and reflects the Wellington, the western-most of the Gippsland increased surface runoff and erosion caused Lakes. The demands on these freshwater resources through land clearance and urbanisation. are considerable. Australia’s largest pulp and paper It is commonly agreed that the only long-term mill, most of the State’s power industry, much of solution for improving the condition of Lake Melbourne’s water supply and the State’s second Wellington is to significantly reduce the nutrient largest irrigation district fall within their catchment loads from the Latrobe and Thomson river systems. boundaries. Restoration of the catchments to a more sustainable Much change has occurred in these catchments land use, revegetating riparian zones and reducing since early settlement.
    [Show full text]
  • Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide 2021
    FREE TARGET ONE MILLION ONE MILLION VICTORIANS FISHING #target1million VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL FISHING A GUIDE TO FISHING RULES AND PRACTICES 2021 GUIDE 2 Introduction 55 Waters with varying bag and size limits 2 (trout and salmon) 4 Message from the Minister 56 Trout and salmon regulations 5 About this guide 60 Year-round trout and salmon fisheries 6 Target One Million 61 Trout and salmon family fishing lakes 9 Marine and estuarine fishing 63 Spiny crays 10 Marine and estuarine scale fish 66 Yabbies 20 Sharks, skates and rays 68 Freshwater shrimp and mussels 23 Crabs INTRODUCTION 69 Freshwater fishing restrictions 24 Shrimps and prawns 70 Freshwater fishing equipment 26 Rock lobster 70 Using equipment in inland waters 30 Shellfish 74 Illegal fishing equipment 33 Squid, octopus and cuttlefish 74 Bait and berley 34 Molluscs 76 Recreational fishing licence 34 Other invertebrates 76 Licence information 35 Marine fishing equipment 78 Your fishing licence fees at work 36 Using equipment in marine waters 82 Recreational harvest food safety 40 Illegal fishing equipment 82 Food safety 40 Bait and berley 84 Responsible fishing behaviours 41 Waters closed to recreational fishing 85 Fishing definitions 41 Marine waters closed to recreational fishing 86 Recreational fishing water definitions 41 Aquaculture fisheries reserves 86 Water definitions 42 Victoria’s marine national parks 88 Regulation enforcement and sanctuaries 88 Fisheries officers 42 Boundary markers 89 Reporting illegal fishing 43 Restricted areas 89 Rule reminders 44 Intertidal zone
    [Show full text]
  • And Hinterland LANDSCAPE PRIORITY AREA
    GIPPSLAND LAKES and Hinterland LANDSCAPE PRIORITY AREA Photo: The Perry River 31 GIPPSLAND LAKES AND HINTERLAND Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland AQUIFER ASSET VALUES, CONDITION AND KEY THREATS Figure 25: Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland Landscape Priority Area Aquifer Asset Shallow Aquifer The Shallow Alluvial aquifer includes the Denison and Wa De Lock Groundwater Management Areas. It has high Figure 24: Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland Landscape connectivity to surface water systems including the provision Priority Area location of base flow to rivers, such as the Avon, Thomson and Macalister. The aquifer contributes to the condition of other Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems including wetlands, The Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape priority area estuarine environments and terrestrial flora. The aquifer is characterised by the iconic Gippsland Lakes and wetlands is also a very important resource for domestic, livestock, Ramsar site. The Gippsland Lakes is of high social, economic, irrigation and urban (Briagolong) water supply. The shallow environmental and cultural value and is a major drawcard aquifer of the Avon, Thomson, Macalister and lower Latrobe for tourists. A number of major Gippsland rivers (Latrobe, catchments is naturally variable in quality and yield. In many Thomson, Macalister, Avon and Perry) all drain through areas the aquifer contains large volumes of high quality floodplains to Lake Wellington and ultimately the Southern (fresh) groundwater, whereas elsewhere the aquifer can be Ocean, with the Perry River being one of the few waterways naturally high in salinity levels. Watertable levels in some in Victoria to have an intact chain of ponds geomorphology. areas have been elevated due to land clearing and irrigation The EPBC Act listed Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland recharge.
    [Show full text]
  • West Gippsland Region
    Powlett River. Courtesy WGCMA The West Gippsland region is diverse and characterised by areas of natural forest, West areas of high conservation value, fertile floodplains for agriculture, as well as having Gippsland major coal deposits and the Loy Yang, Hazelwood and Yallourn power stations. Region Three river basins form the region – Thomson (basin 25), Latrobe (basin 26) and South Gippsland (basin 27). West Gippsland Region In the north of the region is the Thomson basin, Hydrology characterised by the naturally forested Eastern Highlands. At the foot of the highlands are two major dams - Lake The hydrological condition of streams across the West Glenmaggie and the Thomson dam. Over half (55%) of Gippsland region reflects the varied land use - from natural the stream length in the Thomson basin was found to be and near natural flow regimes in headwater streams in in good or excellent condition. Of the remainder, 41% of forested areas of the region to flow regimes under immense stream length was in moderate condition and just 3% stress in areas dependent on water supply for domestic and 1% in poor and very poor condition respectively. and agricultural use. In the centre of the region is the Latrobe basin. The basin Thomson Dam provided 12,046 ML of environmental water features vast tracts of forest through the Strezlecki Ranges in 2011-12 for six reaches on the Thomson River (reaches and the Great Dividing Range, where streams rise and flow 1-5) and Rainbow Creek (reach 17) and Lake Glenmaggie to Lake Wellington in the east. Although much of the land provided 14,018 ML of environmental water to two reaches has been cleared for agriculture, the dominant land use is on the Macalister River (reaches 7 and 8).
    [Show full text]