 MDBA Basin News e-Letter, Issue 4, May 2010
Basin News – The Murray-Darling Basin Authority eLetter Welcome to the Murray–Darling Basin Authority monthly eLetter with reports of happenings across the Basin. Please feel free to pass this eLetter along to anybody who might be interested. If you do not wish to continue receiving this eLetter please reply to this message with “Unsubscribe” in the subject heading. To subscribe online go to www.mdba.gov.au/media_centre/mdba_eLetter/subscribe Contributions are welcome. Please send items of up to 300 words to the editor at medialiason@mdba.gov.au Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MD_Basin_Auth An online html version is available at: www.mdba.gov.au/media_centre/mdba_eletter
Murray catchment flows fall despite good April rain The latest Murray-Darling Basin Authority weekly river operations report says Murray system inflows (excluding Snowy releases and Menindee inflows) for April were about 140 GL. That’s significantly above the last few years, but below the long term average of 230 GL. Since the last report, water levels in Dartmouth Reservoir increased by 6 GL (1% capacity) and storage in Hume Reservoir is at 16 % capacity but gradually rising. On the Darling River, the floodwaters passing Wilcannia peaked on Friday 30 April and is now only just above minor flood. Further upstream at Bourke, the flow has receded with storage in Menindee Lakes increasing to 1,133 GL (66 % capacity). The MDBA forecasts that the storage volume is likely to reach about 1,300 GL (75% capacity) by the end of May, and possibly slightly higher if some water from the Paroo River finally reaches the Darling River. To read the latest weekly report of river operations go to www.mdba.gov.au Basin Community Committee updated on Basin plan The committee advises the Murray-Darling Basin Authority about the performance of its functions, including in relation to:
At its latest Canberra meeting committees members were updated on the developing Basin Plan. They were briefed on Basin Indigenous matters and on State water planning issues by representatives of Victoria and New South Wales. Committee members also heard presentations from a number of stakeholders groups such as the NSW Irrigators’ Council, the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association Inc. and Cotton Australia . A meeting summary will be published on the MDBA website soon. For more information, email bcc@mdba.gov.au or visit www.mdba.gov.au/communities/basin_community_committee Basin Plan update for country property professionals Development of the Basin Plan has moved from the research/inquiry/analysis stage to consolidation and drafting before the draft plan is released for public comment later this year. The final plan will be submitted to the Commonwealth Minister in 2011. It will be complemented by water resource plans prepared by Basin States and provided to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority for assessment and advice to the Commonwealth Minister on accreditation. The Basin Plan will also play an important role in identifying responsibilities for managing risks related to reduced water availability and changes in reliability of supply. At the conference, Mr Freeman will talk on “Water Reform in the Murray Darling Basin”. He’ll address more than 200 property professionals who work across all rural industries and value, finance, develop or manage those industries. Established in 1926, the API is a major national property professional association representing more than 8000 members working in the private and public sectors. Other speakers will speak on subjects including:
For more information visit http://www.nsw.api.org.au/c/apinsw Sustainable development conference to hear of Basin water needs He’ll talk on the development of environmental water needs under the Basin Plan. The Conference brings together decision-makers from the private and public sectors, industry leaders, local government, scientists, conservationists and others to discuss the current and future directions and frameworks for sustainability in Victoria, and how it will affect Victorian state and local government, business and the community. Other speakers include:
The Conference will also feature best practice case studies and address challenges of sustainability and how state and local government and business can truly achieve social, environmental and economic sustainability. For more information go to www.halledit.com.au/vsd2010 More opportunities to hear about the proposed Basin Plan These have included community information sessions in Kyabram and Kerang organised by the Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). Staff also spoke at the Riverina field days in Griffith, at the Grape Marketing Board, and at the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water’s Enterprise Based Conservation Program in Cobar. Authority representatives will attend upcoming DEWHA community information sessions. For details on these go to www.environment.gov.au/water/australia/community-input/information-sessions.html#rural. These might include annual general meetings, fields days and other events. For more information or to suggest a venue email engagement@mdba.gov.au Basin river red gums and black box report released The report confirms that the condition of river red gum and black box stands has improved in areas that have received environmental water. The findings of the report reinforce the need to continue to secure water for the environment and to move forward on water reform through mechanisms such as the developing Basin Plan. The study was funded by the Authority and conducted by Monash University using LANDSAT and field data to assess river red gum and black box condition in The Living Murray Icon Sites. This is the first of three annual reports. The project will also report on the condition of River Red Gum and Black Box stands in 2010 and 2011. A copy of the report is available at www.mdba.gov.au/services/publications Big effort going into saving the Murray River’s big fish The program is a key part of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Living Murray initiative, in partnership with the NSW Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), the NSW Department of Industry and Investment, North East Catchment Management Authority. DSE’s Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) researchers are spending about a month on the river with electro-fishing and radio tracking gear to count the numbers of the threatened Murray Cod and Trout Cod following the re-introduction of submerged logs or ‘snags’ in the river. “This big research effort between Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala is aimed at finding out if re-snagging the river is benefiting rare fish populations,” ARI fish ecologist Jarod Lyon said. “We know that instream habitat like snags are vital for the re-establishment of healthy populations of Murray Cod and Trout Cod, but such habitat has been removed from rivers like the Murray over the past 150 years,” Mr Lyon said. “These big native fish species often hide, feed and breed around submerged logs, and the loss of this habitat has contributed to them becoming threatened right across their range.” Researchers and managers have been working together to provide the conditions required for healthy fish populations and this work has contributed to a resurgence in numbers of Murray Cod throughout the Murray Darling Basin over the past few years. For more information on the Murray Cod and Trout Cod go to For more information on The Living Murray program go to www.mdba.gov.au/programs/tlm Draft groundwater plan consultative committee applicants sought The upper Loddon valley extends from Newlyn and Lake Burrumbeet in the south to Dunolly in the north incorporating Creswick, Learmonth, Newlyn, Talbot, Maryborough and Dunolly, as well as Lake Learmonth and Tullaroop Reservoir. The call for expressions of interest follows a recent request from Goulburn-Murray Water to the Victorian Minister for Water proposing that he:
Notices of these proposed changes were published in early April and the community has until 11 June 2010 to provide comment. After this date, the Minister will make a decision on whether to approve these proposed changes. Expressions of interest must be lodged with G-MW by the close of business on 21 May 2010. For an expression of interest form or to find out more about the process please contact Bob Knowles at G-MW Tatura on (03) 5833 5437 or visit www.g-mwater.com.au/groundwater Murrumbidgee photo competition to celebrate natural assets The Murrumbidgee catchment has one of the most diverse climates in NSW – from alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park, through to the rich grazing belts of the South-West Slopes and grasslands of the semi-arid western Riverina. The Murrumbidgee CMA would like to capture the diversity, beauty and sustainable management of the Murrumbidgee catchment and invites entries that may include, but are not limited to, images of wildlife, flora, landscapes, wetlands and rivers, sustainable farming practices and communities living in and caring for the catchment. There are four categories: Primary Student; Secondary Student; Open Amateur; and Open Professional. Photographs can be historic or recent, black and white or colour – but they must be from the Murrumbidgee catchment. Only digital entries will be accepted. Cash prizes of $250 will be offered for first place and $100 for runner up in each category. For more information visit www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au or contact Sue Buik, Murrumbidgee CMA on (02) 6940 2942. |
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