DOCSLIB.ORG

25 Maribyrnong Basin

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
25 Maribyrnong Basin Maribyrnong Basin 25 Maribyrnong Basin 25.1 Location of Water Resources The Maribyrnong basin is located within the South East Coast Drainage Division. The headwaters are located near Lancefield and Macedon and the Maribyrnong River flows through Melbourne before joining the Yarra River estuary just upstream of Port Phillip Bay. A map of the river basin is shown in Figure 25-1. Groundwater management areas (GMAs) within the Maribyrnong basin include the whole Lancefield GMA and part of the Cut Paw Paw GMA. 25.2 Responsibilities for Management of Water Resources Melbourne Water is the licensing authority responsible for managing private diversions in the lower Maribyrnong basin commencing below the confluence with Deep Creek and the Maribyrnong River. Melbourne Water, as bulk supplier, and City West Water, as retail water supplier, are responsible for water supply in metropolitan Melbourne, while Western Water is responsible for supplying urban areas located outside the metropolitan area. Southern Rural Water is the licensing authority responsible for managing private diversions in the upper Maribyrnong Basin and groundwater in the whole of the Maribyrnong basin. Southern Rural Water also manages Rosslynne Reservoir. The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority was responsible for co- ordinating natural resources and catchment management in the Maribyrnong Basin in 2004/05. The Government's Our Water Our Future action plan determined that Melbourne Water be given responsibility for waterways, drainage and floodplain management in the entire Port Phillip and Westernport region. This responsibility was formalised in November 2005. 25.3 Seasonal Overview Rainfall conditions in the Maribyrnong Basin in 2004/05 were close to average at around 80- 100% of long-term average annual rainfall, however streamflows remained well below average. This is most likely due to the prolonged effects of the recent drought having depleted soil moisture. Saltwater Creek, one of the main tributaries flowing into Rosslynne Reservoir, recorded only 16% of its long-term average in 2004/05 (at gauge 230210), whilst streamflow in Riddells Creek (at gauge 230204) was 31% of the long-term average. Total streamflows in 2004/05 and 2003/04 were almost identical. Water restrictions were in place to varying degrees across the basin and were lifted as water availability improved for the first time in several years. The restrictions previously applied to Gisborne, Macedon, Mount Macedon and Riddells Creek were eased in December 2004, and then lifted in March 2005 along with previous restrictions to Lancefield, Sunbury, Bulla, Diggers Rest, and Romsey. Gisborne, Mount Macedon, Macedon and Riddells Creek, which are supplied from Rosslynne Reservoir, had previously been on Stage 4 restrictions (of four stages). In July 2004, pumping bans were in place for Barringo Creek, Bolinda Creek, Main Creek, Deep Creek, Charlie Creek, Witch Creek, Number 3 Creek, Riddells Creek, Turitable Creek, Willimigongon Creek and Jacksons Creek. These restrictions were lifted in the following month, except for Jacksons Creek, which was lifted in October 2004. With the exceptions of Charlie Creek and Witch Creek, which were without restriction for the remainder of the State Water Report 2004/05 Page 195 Maribyrnong Basin Figure 25-1 Map of the Maribyrnong basin Page 196 State Water Report 2004/05 Maribyrnong Basin 2004/05 period, bans for all aforementioned creeks were reinstated from January 2005 onwards. The Maribyrnong River, which has its regulated licences managed by Melbourne Water, was also subject to a ban in March 2005 and May 2005, as well as Monument Creek from April 2005 onwards. There was not enough water in Melbourne Water’s share of Rosslynne Reservoir to provide a seasonal allocation for licensed private diverters. Southern Rural Water provided a seasonal allocation of 25% in February for diverters on Jacksons Creek, however only a small proportion of this allocation was accessed given that water was unavailable until late in the season. An assessment of the environmental health of rivers and streams in the Maribyrnong basin is available in the Index of Stream Condition (Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2005). (Go to: www.vicwaterdata.net). A separate assessment of urban streams is available from Melbourne Water. 25.4 Summary of the Total Water Resources in the Basin The total volumes of water available and supplied from water resources in the Maribyrnong basin are shown in Table 25-1. Table 25-1 Summary of total water resource and water use in the Maribyrnong basin, 2004/05 Total Water Resource Total Use Water Source (ML) (ML) Surface Water 39,300 13,300 Groundwater (1) not available not available Recycled Water 2,950 2,090 Note: (1) The total resource and use is not stated because not all GMAs or WSPAs in this basin have more than 90% of their surface area within the river basin boundary. 25.5 Water for the Environment In 2004/05 there was no formal environmental water reserve established in the Maribyrnong basin. The environment’s share of total flow at the basin outlet was around 16,700 ML, which is about 42% of the total amount of water in the basin (Table 25-2). This amount consists of environmental flows required under passing flow obligations in consumptive bulk entitlements in the basin, and all other water flowing in the basin which was not taken out of streams for consumptive uses. Maribyrnong River flows have been reduced significantly and the seasonal flow pattern in the regulated reaches of the basin has been modified. As a result of providing water to meet irrigation demand, the flow regime of Jacksons Creek has changed significantly from the natural pattern, with higher than natural flows during the irrigation season and often low flows at other times. However, in 2004/05 and other years of low allocation, higher than natural flows during the irrigation season would not have occurred. A Streamflow Management Plan is proposed for the Upper Maribyrnong River to develop water sharing rules to minimise the impacts of such diversions and to ensure the water resources of the area are managed equitably and sustainably. State Water Report 2004/05 Page 197 Maribyrnong Basin 25.6 Surface Water Resources 25.6.1 Water Balance A surface water balance for the Maribyrnong basin is shown in Table 25-2. Rosslynne Reservoir is the only large storage located within the basin. The storage volume was extremely low at the start of the year, at only 6% of total capacity. The storage volume increased during 2004/05, but was still only 13% full at the end of June 2005. Catchment inflows were only 32% of their long-term average. By far the largest diversion of water was for farm dams, making up about two thirds of the total diversions. As part of the water balance calculation, the estimation of inflows for the Maribyrnong basin was based on the sum of diversions, losses and outflows, minus inflows from treated effluent discharged to rivers, and taking into account the change in storage volume over the year. Table 25-2 Balance of surface water in the Maribyrnong basin 2004/05 2003/04 Water Account Component (ML) (ML) Storage Volume Volume in storage at start of year 1,600 2,700 Volume in storage at end of year 3,600 1,600 Change in storage 2,000 -1,100 Inflows Catchment inflow (1) 37,300 36,700 Transfers from other basins 0 0 Return flow from irrigation 0 0 Treated effluent discharged back to river 1,970 1,210 Sub-total 39,300 37,900 Usage Urban diversions 3,840 2,730 Licensed private diversions from regulated streams 400 300 Licensed private diversions from unregulated streams 1,300 1,300 Small catchment dams 7,800 7,800 Sub-total 13,300 12,100 Losses Net evaporation losses from major storages 200 1,200 Losses from small catchment dams 4,800 4,800 In-stream infiltration to groundwater, flows to floodplain and evaporation (2) 2,300 4,400 Sub-total 7,300 10,400 Water Passed at Outlet of Basin River outflows to the ocean 16,700 16,500 Environment’s Share of Total Flow in the Maribyrnong Basin 16,700 16,500 Notes: (1) Inflows have been back-calculated from outflows plus diversions. (2) Losses estimated using loss functions from the Maribyrnong REALM. The volume of estimated losses reduced from the previous year due to an improvement of the calculation method. Page 198 State Water Report 2004/05 Maribyrnong Basin 25.6.2 Small Catchment Dams The capacity of small catchment dams in the Maribyrnong basin is estimated to be around 11,600 ML. Usage in 2004/05 is estimated to be approximately equal to the average annual usage of 7,800 ML and, after allowing for losses, the total catchment run-off that is harvested by the dams is estimated to be 12,600 ML. Table 25-3 Small catchment dam information Capacity Usage Total Water Type of Small Catchment Dam (ML) (ML) Harvested (ML) Stock and domestic 5,800 2,900 n/a Irrigation 5,800 4,900 n/a Total 11,600 7,800 12,600 Note: (1) n/a: information not available 25.6.3 Water Entitlement Transfers Temporary transfers of water entitlement within the Maribyrnong basin totalled 76 ML in 2004/05. No permanent transfers occurred in the basin over the year. 25.6.4 Volume Diverted The volume of water diverted under each water authority’s bulk entitlement is shown in Table 25-4. Compliance with individual bulk entitlement volumes is deemed to occur if water use is not more than the maximum volume allowed to be diverted in 2004/05. Licences on unregulated streams are not currently metered and hence compliance has not been assessed.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2Protecting Our Rivers and Aquifers
    1 The Strategy at a Regional Level Chapter Two 2 Protecting our Rivers and Aquifers This chapter outlines the Government’s action plan to protect and improve the health of rivers, estuaries and aquifers. The initiatives apply to the whole Central Region. Local actions are outlined in Chapter 4. In protecting and improving the health of the region’s rivers, it is essential to: • preserve the environment’s existing share of water • use this existing water for the environment more efficiently • increase the amount of water for the environment where it is not sufficient • undertake complementary works (such as revegetation of the streamside zone) to maximise the river health benefits of increasing environmental flows • manage the impacts of low inflows and climate change. Protecting our rivers The Government is committed to improving the health of Victoria’s There are many Aboriginal and other sites of significance associated rivers, floodplains and estuaries. These natural assets support with rivers and creeks. Aboriginal people have a strong social, cultural industry, tourism and recreation, and are highly valued by people and spiritual connection to the land and water. This Strategy, together who live and work around them. with the Regional River Health Strategies, will assist in ensuring that Protecting the health of our rivers ensures that the drinking rich Aboriginal heritage values will be protected and interpreted to water we extract from them is of a high quality. allow others to understand the Aboriginal communities’ significant cultural connection between land and water. The Regional River Rivers are also highly significant ecosystems in their own right.
    [Show full text]
  • Moorabool River Environmental Water Management Plan
    Moorabool River Environmental Water Management Plan Draft Version 2.3 Document Control details Name: Details: Date: Version: Saul Vermeeren Submission of draft 7 December 2015 2.1 EWMP to DEWLP Saul Vermeeren CCMA internal review 8 January 2016 2.2 Saul Vermeeren Submission of draft 12 January 2016 2.3 EWMP to MSAC Acknowledgments Acknowledgement of Country The Corangamite CMA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and waters where we work, and pay our respects to the Elders past and present. The aboriginal Traditional Owners have existed as part of the land for thousands of generations and have an intrinsic connection to the land, the rivers and the sea. The Corangamite CMA recognises and acknowledges the contribution and interest of Aboriginal people and organisations in waterway and land management. Contributions to the Moorabool EWMP The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority would like to acknowledge the input of our partner agencies and communities. In particular, the authority would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Moorabool Stakeholder Advisory Committee and the time and expertise that was committed by individual members. The Moorabool Stakeholder Advisory Committee in action on the Moorabool River in 2014 (Photo Rachael Roger) Contents Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................................... iii 1 Introduction ............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Central Region
    Section 3 Central Region 49 3.1 Central Region overview .................................................................................................... 51 3.2 Yarra system ....................................................................................................................... 53 3.3 Tarago system .................................................................................................................... 58 3.4 Maribyrnong system .......................................................................................................... 62 3.5 Werribee system ................................................................................................................. 66 3.6 Moorabool system .............................................................................................................. 72 3.7 Barwon system ................................................................................................................... 77 3.7.1 Upper Barwon River ............................................................................................... 77 3.7.2 Lower Barwon wetlands ........................................................................................ 77 50 3.1 Central Region overview 3.1 Central Region overview There are six systems that can receive environmental water in the Central Region: the Yarra and Tarago systems in the east and the Werribee, Maribyrnong, Moorabool and Barwon systems in the west. The landscape Community considerations The Yarra River flows west from the Yarra Ranges
    [Show full text]
  • Friends of the Barwon Inc
    Submission to Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy Volume 1-1 23 January 2021 Friends of the Barwon Inc. (FOTB) represents a group of concerned citizens. The organisation was incorporated in 2019, to advocate for the protection and improvement of the ecosystem of the Barwon Basin, including the Yarrowee-Leigh and Moorabool Rivers. FOTB has over 200 members, has received financial, in-kind and moral support from a number of organisations, including: Shires of Colac-Otway and Surf Coast; Barwon Water; Corangamite Catchment Management Authority; Southern Rural Water and a large number of community organisations with connections to the Barwon, Moorabool, and Yarrowee-Leigh river basins. At its launch in July 2019, some 150 people attended, including senior representatives of the Minister for Water, G21, City of Greater Geelong, Barwon Water, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and several shires. Further details can be found at https://friendsofthebarwon.org.au Contact Details: 1 | P a g e Managing for change in the Barwon Catchment We are pleased to respond to Infrastructure Victoria’s invitation to comment on its draft 30-year strategy, particularly pertaining to the Barwon region. Victoria’s two major regional centres of Geelong and Ballarat are the focus of this submission. In particular we will suggest that the major waterways, namely the Barwon/Moorabool and the Yarrowee/Leigh Rivers, flowing through these two cities respectively, are a logical option to create a network of environmental infrastructure throughout these cities and beyond. We will submit that such environmental infrastructure is an important opportunity currently overlooked in the draft 30- year infrastructure strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • Drought Impact on Fish Communities and River Health in the Corangamite Region
    Drought impact on fish communities and river health in the Corangamite Region An isolated pool in Painkalac Creek. Tom Ryan and John McGuckin Report prepared for Corangamite Catchment Management Authority August 2007 Drought impact on fish communities and river health in the Corangamite Region Executive Summary This study provides a rapid assessment of river condition and aims to determine the key issues affecting aquatic health including the relative impact of drought. It is designed to help prioritise potential management actions in the drought response plan. Pre-existing catchment issues, such as water extraction, extensive land clearing and lack of riparian vegetation can directly affect river health and compounds impacts caused directly by drought. Where catchments have been degraded by past management practices, the severity of the drought upon stream health has been the most extreme. Waters examined in this study have been classified into 3 distinct classes of river health, streams with minor stress, streams with moderate stress and streams that have severe stress. Waterways with minor drought stress had lower streamflows than normal as a result of the drought but were in no immediate threat of becoming severely stressed by the drought. Waters classified as having moderate stress are ones in which the existing aquatic fauna is expected to be experiencing some stress, however, the stress is unlikely to have caused the loss of species. Streamflow may have ceased in freshwater reaches and water deterioration may have occurred in remaining refuge habitat, however, the duration of the stress upon aquatic fauna has only been for a relatively short period.
    [Show full text]
  • Corangamite Regional Floodplain Management Strategy 2017–2027
    Corangamite Regional Floodplain Management Strategy 2017–2027 Produced by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority in collaboration with regional partners Acknowledgements The Corangamite Regional Floodplain Management Strategy Senior Steering Committee acknowledges the contribution of partner agencies and the community who provided valuable input into the Strategy’s development. This includes the Borough of Queenscliffe, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Moorabool Shire, Moyne Shire, Surf Coast Shire, Corangamite CMA and the VICSES. The Committee also acknowledges assistance of the DELWP Floodplain Management Team and other catchment management authorities. The stakeholders involved in this Strategy proudly acknowledge the region’s Aboriginal communities and their rich culture and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely. We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of Aboriginal people and communities to the Corangamite region and how this enriches us all. We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards the equality of outcomes and ensuring an equal voice. Funding support for the development of the Regional Floodplain Management Strategy has been provided by the Victorian Government. GIS support and maps produced by A.S. Miner Geotechnical. Cover photograph: Gellibrand River May 2015 Corangamite Regional
    [Show full text]
  • Living by Water Tells the Story of How These Vital Living by Water Services Were Provided
    For almost a hundred years Barwon Water and its predecessors have supplied Geelong and the Barwon region with their most important services; a safe water supply and a sewerage system. Without these services the modern city and region could not have developed as it did. Water is vital to life and our modern community, without it public health would be poor and industry Living could not flourish. By Living By Water tells the story of how these vital Living By Water services were provided. It tells of the conditions out of Water which Barwon Water emerged, of the people who played a major role in its work and the effect it had on the community. It is a story about what happened in the past and it gives us the perspective to glimpse what may come A history of A history of Barwon Water and what we should do in the future. Most importantly, Barwon Water and its it highlights the environmental awareness the authority predecessors has always had and its growth into a modern and its predecessors environmental business serving its community. Leigh Edmonds Leigh Edmonds ISBN 0-9594919-4-5 www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au BACK COVER IMAGE FRONT COVER IMAGE West Barwon Reservoir (1965) Lower Stony Creek Reservoir (1873) Remember, our world is a globe suspended in space. A self- contained world where all the forces of nature are intertwined. Think of it as Gaia, an ancient symbol for all these intertwined forces. Seen from space, ours is basically a blue planet overlaid with great swirls of white.
    [Show full text]
  • Challenging the Current Assumptions About Salinity Processes in the Corangamite Region, Australia
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Federation ResearchOnline Beyond hydrogeologic evidence: challenging the current assumptions about salinity processes in the Corangamite region, Australia P. G. Dahlhaus & J. W. Cox & C. T. Simmons & C. M. Smitt Abstract In keeping with the standard scientific methods, evidence found which supports significant rises in ground- investigations of salinity processes focus on the collec- water following widespread land-use change. In many tion and interpretation of contemporary scientific data. areas, salinity is an inherent component of the region’s However, using multiple lines of evidence from non- landscapes, and sustains world-class environmental assets hydrogeologic sources such as geomorphic, archaeologi- that require appropriate salinity levels for their ecological cal and historical records can substantially add value to health. Managing salinity requires understanding the the scientific investigations. By using such evidence, the specific salinity processes in each landscape. validity of the assumptions about salinity processes in Australian landscapes is challenged, especially the Résumé En se conformant aux méthodes scientifiques assumption that the clearing of native vegetation has standard, les études de l’acquisition de la salinité se resulted in rising saline groundwater in all landscapes. concentrent sur la collecte et l’interprétation de données In the Corangamite region of south-west Victoria, scientifiques contemporaines. Toutefois, l’utilisation de salinity has been an episodic feature of the landscapes filières multiples de données provenant de sources non throughout the Quaternary and was present at the time hydrogéologiques telles que des compilations géomorpho- of the Aboriginal inhabitants and the first pastoral logiques, archéologiques et historiques peut ajouter de settlement by Europeans.
    [Show full text]
  • 42192 HOFSTEDE Vic Rivers
    Index of Stream Condition: The Second Benchmark of Victorian River Condition of Victorian Second Benchmark Condition: The Index of Stream Index of Stream Condition: The Second Benchmark of Victorian River Condition 2 ISC “The results of the 1999 and 2004 ISC benchmarking have provided an enormously valuable information resource, critical for setting long-term management objectives, developing priorities for action and evaluating the effectiveness of past efforts.” Hofstede Design 644 08/05 Published by the Victorian Authorised by the Victorian Disclaimer Government Department of Government, 8 Nicholson Street, This publication may be of assistance Sustainability and Environment East Melbourne. to you but the State of Victoria and Melbourne, August 2005. Printed by Bambra Press, its employees do not guarantee that Also published on 6 Rocklea Drive Port Melbourne. the publication is without flaw of any www.vicwaterdata.net kind or is wholly appropriate for your ISBN 1 74152 192 0 particular purposes and therefore ©The State of Victoria Department of For more information contact the DSE disclaims all liability for any error, loss Sustainability and Environment 2005 Customer Service Centre 136 186 or other consequence which may arise This publication is copyright. No part This report is printed on Onyx, an from you relying on any information may be reproduced by any process in this publication. except in accordance with the Australian-made 100% recycled paper. provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Index of Stream Condition: The Second Benchmark of Victorian River Condition 2 ISC Acknowledgments Special thanks go to: CMA field crews and in particular These consultants deserve the CMA co-ordinators: special mention: The ISC is a large undertaking Paul Wilson – managing and and requires a large cast to co-ordinating the ISC program.
    [Show full text]
  • C E N T R a L R E G Io N S U S T a in a B L E W a T E R S T R a T E G Y
    22 CENTRAL REGION SUSTAINABLE WATER STRATEGY / CHAPTER 1 River and Aquifer Health Rivers naturally have variable flow regimes reflecting the rainfall and Importance of flow for rivers run-off within their catchments. This includes low flows during summer European settlement and the associated landscape changes together with small freshening flows occurring periodically and higher winter with our reliance on rivers for water supply in the Central Region has flows including bank-full flows and floods of adjacent land. Each of taken its toll and some are in poor or very poor condition. Some of these components of the flow regime plays an important role in the these rivers are heavily utilised for consumptive purposes and in some ecology of the river, see Figure 3.1. For example, high flows stimulate cases have only about half of their natural flows, which becomes even fish breeding and maintain estuary openings. Similarly, groundwater less in drought years. Some of the catchments that these rivers flow can provide base flows in summer to maintain fish refuges. Floods in through are greatly modified by a combination of water extraction spring regenerate floodplains and wetlands, and replenish the river urbanisation, clearing of native vegetation, draining of wetlands and channel. Water extraction can change these crucial flow components pollution from adjacent land. with negative effects on the ecology of the system. Several rivers in the Central Region are not so heavily used and still retain 70% to 90% of their natural flows (see table 3.1). However, even in these rivers, this is no guarantee of environmental health.
    [Show full text]
  • Submission to Inquiry Into Environmental Infrastructure for Growing Populations Environmental and Planning Committee, Legislat
    SUBMISSION TO INQUIRY INTO ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GROWING POPULATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING COMMITTEE, LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, VICTORIA 24 September 2020 Friends of the Barwon Inc. (FOTB) represents a group of concerned citizens. The organisation was incorporated in 2019, to advocate for the protection and improvement of the ecosystem of the Barwon Basin, including the Yarrowee-Leigh and Moorabool Rivers. FOTB has over 200 members, has received financial, in-kind and moral support from a number of organizations, including: Shires of Colac-Otway and Surf Coast; Barwon Water; Corangamite Catchment Management Authority; Southern Rural Water and a large number of community organisations with connections to the Barwon, Moorabool, and Yarrowee-Leigh river basins. At its launch in July 2019, some 150 people attended, including senior representatives of the Minister for Water, G21, City of Greater Geelong, Barwon Water, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and several shires. Further details can be found at https://friendsofthebarwon.org.au Contact Details: c/o Upper Barwon Landcare Network 57 Main St, Birregurra 3242 [email protected] 1 | P a g e Preamble Victoria’s two major regional centres of Geelong and Ballarat are the focus of this submission. In particular we will suggest that the major waterways, namely the Barwon/Moorabool and the Yarrowee, flowing through these two cities respectively, are a logical option to create a network of environmental infrastructure throughout these cities and beyond. Our submission will provide suggestions for the future arrangements we believe are necessary to secure and sustain this environmental infrastructure. We strongly endorse the state government’s priority to enhance green infrastructure in our cities to create more liveable and climate-adapted communities, whilst at the same time cooling and greening the urban spaces - as has been suggested for Melbourne.
    [Show full text]
  • Moorabool River Seasonal Watering Proposal 2020-21
    Moorabool River Seasonal Watering Proposal 2021-22 FINAL April 2021 Contents Acknowledgement of Country ..................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 6 1.1 System overview ............................................................................................................... 8 2. Engagement ......................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Notable feedback ............................................................................................................ 15 3. Values and uses of waterways ............................................................................................. 16 3.1 Aboriginal Cultural Values and uses of waterways .......................................................... 16 3.2. Social, recreational and economic values and uses of waterways ................................. 22 4. Seasonal review 2020-21 ..................................................................................................... 24 4.1 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Hydrological achievement ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]