To The First Edition Of The Northern Basin Update

NorthernBasinUpdateNews from the Northern Basin Advisory CommitteeIssue #1 – April 2013Welcometo the first edition of theNorthern Basin UpdateThis newsletter is an initiative of the Northern BasinAdvisory Committee (NBAC), supported by theMurray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), to informand engage with northern Basin communities.In recognition of the northern Basin’s unique characteristics, management, industries and communities,NBAC was established by the MDBA to provide independent strategic advice on key northern Basin issuesand priorities.NBAC is working with MDBA and other state andCommonwealth agencies to develop and implementa three-year work plan for the northern Basin. Thiswill identify and prioritise key issues specific to thenorthern Basin. This includes things like areas thatneed more research or computer modeling, social andeconomic aspects to be considered in the rollout of theBasin Plan, and water recovery options for northernBasin valleys.Through NBAC members’ connections to local networks and communities, we aim to ensure that theimplementation of the Basin Plan is informed by localknowledge and a broad range of perspectives. We arealso keen to make sure that northern Basin communities are kept up-to-date with the work plan’s progress.Representatives from NSW OEH, Qld DNRM andState Water also attend our meetings.Northern Basin Advisory Committee:Top: (left to right) Ed Fessey, Ian Todd, Geoff Wise,Mal Peters (Chair), Bruce McCollum, Fred Hooper,John Clements. Seated: (left to right) Donna Stewart,Michelle Ramsay, Katrina Humphries, Sarah Moles.Committee meetings so far: 27–28 September 2012, Canberra, ACT 19–20 November 2012, Canberra, ACT 21–22 February 2013, Dubbo, NSW 8–9 April 2013, Moree, NSW.Next meetings: 22–23 May 2013, St George, Qld 10–11 September 2013, Bourke, NSW 26–27 November 2013, Canberra, ACT.OUR VISION:To inform and influence the implementation of the Basin Plan in the northern Basin toachieve maintenance and enhancement of the environment, and healthy communities.VISIT OUT s/northern-basin-advisory-committee

Northern Basin UpdateIssue #1 – April 2013MDBA’s northern basin programOur work to dateMDBA’s approach for the northern Basin reflects itscommitment to adaptive management and localism inimplementing the Basin Plan. Adaptive managementmeans that the Basin Plan will change and evolve overtime as we gain new knowledge, which may refinethe computer (hydrologic) models used. Changes inclimate or changing priorities may also be considered.Canberra meetingsMDBA’s northern Basin team includes Frank Walkerand Kim Whale. The team has met with key localgroups (eg. the Lower Balonne Water Network,Border Rivers Environmental Water Network,Barwon Darling Water and the Qld MDB StrategicConsultative Committee) to hear about issues forinclusion in the work program.This team also ensures that northern Basin issuesare considered and integrated into other MDBAwork programs. Projects underway include: purchaseof LiDAR data to fill northern Basin data gaps;refinements to flow management to improve fishrecruitment in the Barwon–Darling; and improvedknowledge and modelling of groundwater in priorityareas.The development of the northern Basin work plan’sgoals and objectives is focusing on the key themes of:water science; socioeconomic impacts; monitoringand evaluation; and communications.NBAC meeting, February 2013, DubboThe first two meetings were about meeting MDBA’sChair (Craig Knowles), Chief Executive (RhonddaDickson) and staff; and confirming the Committee’srole.After gaining a better understanding of the BasinPlan we were able to discuss some specific issues (eg.sustainable diversion limits and the SDL adjustmentmechanism). We also shared our expectations andchallenges about implementing the Basin Plan in thenorthern Basin.‘We’re all here because of the many andvaried skills we each bring to the table.This means there will be plenty of robustdiscussion, but out of that, we expectsome great ideas and solutions’.Mal Peters, Chair at the inaugural NBACmeeting.Dubbo meetingMeeting 3 held in Dubbo last month provided anopportunity to consider in more detail the overallapproach to the Northern Basin work program.The Committee provided advice to MDBA onseveral proposed projects under consideration for thisfinancial year. These projects included: science review project (see next page) purchase of data sets watering requirements for floodplain vegetation social and economic assessments.Budget allocations for projects were also discussed.Recommendations for water recoveryAt its Dubbo meeting, the Committee also providedfeedback to the Department of SustainableEnvironment, Water, Population and Communities(SEWPaC) on its Draft Environmental Water RecoveryStrategy.Page 2

Northern Basin UpdateIssue #1 – April 2013PresentationsNBAC heard presentations from MDBA’s Chair,Macquarie River Food & Fibre, Australian FloodplainAssociation and State Water (Burrendong Dam ColdWater Pollution Mitigation Project).“We need on-ground advice andunderstanding about issues, especiallyregarding social and economic impacts”Craig Knowles, Chair MDBA at NBAC03,DubboField tripMacquarie River Food & Fibre hosted a trip toTrangie to view an example of channel lining beingundertaken by the Trangie–Nevertire IrrigationScheme. This project was funded through theAustralian Government’s Private IrrigationInfrastructure Operators Program in NSW and sawthe recovery of 27,000ML of entitlement for fundingof 115m.Moree meetingMeeting 4 held in Moree on 8–9 April 2013 providedan opportunity for the Committee to progress issuesraised at previous meetings. To allow members tofocus their skills and expertise in key theme areas,it was agreed to form working groups. The six suchgroups agreed on outcomes, as follows:Channel lining on the Trangie–Nevertire Irrigation SchemePage 3Social and economic – to achieve positive socioeconomic impacts. Members: Mal Peters (Leader),Katrina Humphries, Donna Stewart, John Clementsand Bruce McCollum.Environmental Science – to identify the bestenvironmental science to achieve long termsustainability. Members: Geoff Wise (Leader), SarahMoles, Ian Todd, Ed Fessey.Water Recovery & Use – to achieve sensitive waterrecovery and effective use. Members: John Clements(Leader), Fred Hooper, Katrina Humphries, SarahMoles.Monitoring and Evaluation – to establish reliablemonitoring and evaluation methods. Members: BruceMcCollum (Leader), Michelle Ramsay, Geoff Wise,Ed Fessey.Confident Communities – to ensure communitieshave confidence in the implementation of the BasinPlan. Members: Michelle Ramsay (Leader), MalPeters, Ian Todd, Donna Stewart.Cultural Flows – to recognise cultural flows.Members: Fred Hooper and Northern BasinAboriginal Nations (NBAN).Working with MDBA, the States, and with furthertechnical input as required, the working groups willdevelop projects for consideration by the Committee.NBAC meeting, February 2013, Dubbo

Northern Basin UpdateIssue #1 – April 2013PresentationsGwydir Valley Irrigators AssociationEnvironmental watering of the Gwydir WetlandsZara Lowien, Executive Officer, Gwydir ValleyIrrigators Association presented a northern irrigatorgroups’ perspective on the review of the Basin Plan.The key issues highlighted to the Committee included:The focus of the stakeholder presentations wasenvironmental watering of the Gwydir wetlands.The Committee heard perspectives from DarylAlbertson, (Environmental Water Manager, Office ofEnvironment & Heritage NSW) and members of theEnvironmental Contingency Allowance Committeeincluding: J on Greer (Landholder, Lower GwydirWatercourse) r ecognition of the performance of the GwydirWater Sharing Plans t he importance of an integrated approach towardsenvironmental management and measures ofeffectiveness and efficiency Phil Fleming (Landholder, Gingham Watercourse) t he issue of water recovery estimates, that is, thelong-term diversion limit equivalence factors thathave been set by the Ministerial Council J im Burley (Board Member, Border Rivers-GwydirCMA). t he need to review the Environmentally SustainableLevel of Take (ESLT) for the Gwydir.The presentations provided insights into thechallenges of delivering environmental water acrossthe floodplain and also the successes – includingrestoration of wetland vegetation and bird breedingevents. The Committee was very appreciativeof the stakeholders taking the time to discusstheir perspectives on adaptive management ofenvironmental water in the Gwydir.Zara also outlined the role of the Northern IrrigatorAlliance; which is a group comprising the ExecutiveOfficers from Macquarie River Food & Fibre, NamoiWater, Gwydir Valley Irrigators’ Association, BorderRivers Food & Fibre. Michael Murray, Water PolicyOfficer with Cotton Australia is also a representativeand was present for the Gwydir Valley Irrigatorsdiscussion with NBAC.Further information can be found at:http://brg.cma.nsw.gov.au/index.php?page ECANBAC meeting, April 2013, MoreePage 4Northern Science ForumMembers Ian Todd and Geoff Wise chatting withMDBA’s chair Craig Knowles (right).