Northern Basin UpdateNews from the Northern Basin Advisory Committee

Issue #1 – April 2013

Welcometo the first edition of the Northern Basin UpdateThis newsletter is an initiative of the Northern Basin Advisory Committee (NBAC), supported by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), to inform and engage with northern Basin communities.

In recognition of the northern Basin’s unique charac-teristics, management, industries and communities, NBAC was established by the MDBA to provide inde-pendent strategic advice on key northern Basin issues and priorities.

NBAC is working with MDBA and other state and Commonwealth agencies to develop and implement a three-year work plan for the northern Basin. This will identify and prioritise key issues specific to the northern Basin. This includes things like areas that need more research or computer modeling, social and economic aspects to be considered in the rollout of the Basin Plan, and water recovery options for northern Basin valleys.

Through NBAC members’ connections to local net-works and communities, we aim to ensure that the implementation of the Basin Plan is informed by local knowledge and a broad range of perspectives. We are also keen to make sure that northern Basin communi-ties are kept up-to-date with the work plan’s progress.

Representatives from NSW OEH, Qld DNRM and State Water also attend our meetings.

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.

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.

OUR VISION: To inform and influence the implementation of the Basin Plan in the northern Basin to achieve maintenance and enhancement of the environment, and healthy communities.

VISIT OUT WEBPAGE: www.mdba.gov.au/about/governance/committees/northern-basin-advisory-committee

Issue #1 – April 2013

Northern Basin Update

MDBA’s northern basin program MDBA’s approach for the northern Basin reflects its commitment to adaptive management and localism in implementing the Basin Plan. Adaptive management means that the Basin Plan will change and evolve over time as we gain new knowledge, which may refine the computer (hydrologic) models used. Changes in climate or changing priorities may also be considered.

MDBA’s northern Basin team includes Frank Walker and Kim Whale. The team has met with key local groups (eg. the Lower Balonne Water Network, Border Rivers Environmental Water Network, Barwon Darling Water and the Qld MDB Strategic Consultative Committee) to hear about issues for inclusion in the work program.

This team also ensures that northern Basin issues are considered and integrated into other MDBA work programs. Projects underway include: purchase of LiDAR data to fill northern Basin data gaps; refinements to flow management to improve fish recruitment in the Barwon–Darling; and improved knowledge and modelling of groundwater in priority areas.

The development of the northern Basin work plan’s goals and objectives is focusing on the key themes of: water science; socioeconomic impacts; monitoring and evaluation; and communications.

Our work to dateCanberra meetings

The first two meetings were about meeting MDBA’s Chair (Craig Knowles), Chief Executive (Rhondda Dickson) and staff; and confirming the Committee’s role.

After gaining a better understanding of the Basin Plan we were able to discuss some specific issues (eg. sustainable diversion limits and the SDL adjustment mechanism). We also shared our expectations and challenges about implementing the Basin Plan in the northern Basin.

‘We’re all here because of the many and varied skills we each bring to the table. This means there will be plenty of robust discussion, but out of that, we expect some great ideas and solutions’.

Mal Peters, Chair at the inaugural NBAC meeting.

Dubbo meeting

Meeting 3 held in Dubbo last month provided an opportunity to consider in more detail the overall approach to the Northern Basin work program.

The Committee provided advice to MDBA on several proposed projects under consideration for this financial 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 recovery

At its Dubbo meeting, the Committee also provided feedback to the Department of Sustainable Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) on its Draft Environmental Water Recovery Strategy.

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NBAC meeting, February 2013, Dubbo

Issue #1 – April 2013

Northern Basin Update

Presentations

NBAC heard presentations from MDBA’s Chair, Macquarie River Food & Fibre, Australian Floodplain Association and State Water (Burrendong Dam Cold Water Pollution Mitigation Project).

“We need on-ground advice and understanding about issues, especially regarding social and economic impacts”

Craig Knowles, Chair MDBA at NBAC03, Dubbo

Field trip

Macquarie River Food & Fibre hosted a trip to Trangie to view an example of channel lining being undertaken by the Trangie–Nevertire Irrigation Scheme. This project was funded through the Australian Government’s Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in NSW and saw the recovery of 27,000ML of entitlement for funding of $115m.

Moree meeting

Meeting 4 held in Moree on 8–9 April 2013 provided an opportunity for the Committee to progress issues raised at previous meetings. To allow members to focus their skills and expertise in key theme areas, it was agreed to form working groups. The six such groups agreed on outcomes, as follows:

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Channel lining on the Trangie–Nevertire Irrigation Scheme

Social and economic – to achieve positive socio-economic impacts. Members: Mal Peters (Leader), Katrina Humphries, Donna Stewart, John Clements and Bruce McCollum.

Environmental Science – to identify the best environmental science to achieve long term sustainability. Members: Geoff Wise (Leader), Sarah Moles, Ian Todd, Ed Fessey.

Water Recovery & Use – to achieve sensitive water recovery and effective use. Members: John Clements (Leader), Fred Hooper, Katrina Humphries, Sarah Moles.

Monitoring and Evaluation – to establish reliable monitoring and evaluation methods. Members: Bruce McCollum (Leader), Michelle Ramsay, Geoff Wise, Ed Fessey.

Confident Communities – to ensure communities have confidence in the implementation of the Basin Plan. Members: Michelle Ramsay (Leader), Mal Peters, Ian Todd, Donna Stewart.

Cultural Flows – to recognise cultural flows. Members: Fred Hooper and Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN).

Working with MDBA, the States, and with further technical input as required, the working groups will develop projects for consideration by the Committee.

NBAC meeting, February 2013, Dubbo

Issue #1 – April 2013

Northern Basin Update

Presentations

Environmental watering of the Gwydir Wetlands

The focus of the stakeholder presentations was environmental watering of the Gwydir wetlands. The Committee heard perspectives from Daryl Albertson, (Environmental Water Manager, Office of Environment & Heritage NSW) and members of the Environmental Contingency Allowance Committee including:

• Jon Greer (Landholder, Lower Gwydir Watercourse)

• Phil Fleming (Landholder, Gingham Watercourse)

• Jim Burley (Board Member, Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA).

The presentations provided insights into the challenges of delivering environmental water across the floodplain and also the successes – including restoration of wetland vegetation and bird breeding events. The Committee was very appreciative of the stakeholders taking the time to discuss their perspectives on adaptive management of environmental water in the Gwydir.

Further information can be found at: http://brg.cma.nsw.gov.au/index.php?page=ECA

Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association

Zara Lowien, Executive Officer, Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association presented a northern irrigator groups’ perspective on the review of the Basin Plan. The key issues highlighted to the Committee included:

• recognition of the performance of the Gwydir Water Sharing Plans

• the importance of an integrated approach towards environmental management and measures of effectiveness and efficiency

• the issue of water recovery estimates, that is, the long-term diversion limit equivalence factors that have been set by the Ministerial Council

• the need to review the Environmentally Sustainable Level of Take (ESLT) for the Gwydir.

Zara also outlined the role of the Northern Irrigator Alliance; which is a group comprising the Executive Officers from Macquarie River Food & Fibre, Namoi Water, Gwydir Valley Irrigators’ Association, Border Rivers Food & Fibre. Michael Murray, Water Policy Officer with Cotton Australia is also a representative and was present for the Gwydir Valley Irrigators discussion with NBAC.

Northern Science Forum

Members Ian Todd and Geoff Wise chatting with MDBA’s chair Craig Knowles (right).

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NBAC meeting, April 2013, Moree

Issue #1 – April 2013

Northern Basin Update

Presentations by NBAC members

The following NBAC members presentated to the Committee:

• Fred Hooper: spoke on the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations group and their Corporate Plan and also gave an update on the Cultural Flows project

• Geoff Wise provided two presentations. The first provided an alternative view to modelling extractions in the unregulated Darling River. His second presentation explored a potential opportunity for water recovery in the Barwon– Darling.

Northern Science ForumGuy Roth and Jane Trindall (Cotton CRDC) discussed the upcoming Northern Science Forum. This forum will provide a snapshot of some of the water science research undertaken by the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC (now ceased) which will assist in shaping a future research agenda for the northern Basin.

MDBA will present a couple of sessions including MDBA’s approach to implementing the Basin Plan in the northern Basin, the underpinning science that informed the Basin Plan and the Science Review project.

The forum is planned for 4–5 June 2013 to link with the Sustaining Rural Communities Conference, 5–6 June 2013 in Narrabri.

MDBA’s northern basin science review projectMDBA is undertaking further work in the north-ern Basin to refine the basis for surface water SDLs because:

• There are knowledge gaps about environmental water requirements in the northern Basin, with less scientific research available relative to the southern Basin.

• The less regulated nature of rivers in the northern basin, together with the complexity of water management arrangements, presents challenges for working out the best approach for the remaining water recovery.

The first step in the science review is to look at the environmental water requirements for the Lower Balonne floodplain, Narran Lakes and the Barwon–Darling River system. These requirements have been chosen because they are the basis for:

• the two largest diversion reductions in the northern Basin

• the shared reduction of 143 GL (based on the environmental water requirements of the Barwon–Darling), and

• the Condamine–Balonne local reduction of 100 GL (based on the environmental water requirements of the Lower Balonne floodplain and Narran Lakes).

These reductions also involve nearly all of the remain-ing water to be recovered in the northern Basin.

The review team will comprise a coordinating consult-ant and a small panel of expert scientists. They will meet with identified stakeholders several times during the project: to identify any knowledge gaps or uncer-tainties and help determine priorities for the northern Basin work program.

NBAC’s member Geoff Wise is on the steering com-mittee for the project, along with MDBA and State representatives.

The project will be finalised in August, 2013.

Feedback on our first newsletter is welcome and may be forwarded to our liaison officer kim.whale@mdba.gov.au, who will pass it on to the Committee. Kim can also refer your ideas/issues or Basin perspectives to NBAC.

Members at the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre, 21 February, 2013.