Portfolio Management Plan Victorian Rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin 2017 18

CommonwealthEnvironmentalWater

PortfolioManagementPlan

VictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin

2017–18

Frontcoverimagecredit:GoulburnRiver.PhotobyGoulburnBrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority.Backcoverimagecredit:GoulburnRiver.PhotobyGoulburnBrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority.

TheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficerespectfullyacknowledgesthetraditionalowners,theirElderspastandpresent,theirNationsoftheMurray-DarlingBasin,andtheircultural,social,environmental,spiritualandeconomicconnectiontotheirlandsandwaters.

©CopyrightCommonwealthofAustralia,2017.

CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterPortfolioManagementPlan:VictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin2017–18islicensedbytheCommonwealthofAustraliaforuseunderaCreativeCommonsAttribution4.0InternationallicencewiththeexceptionoftheCoatofArmsoftheCommonwealthofAustralia,thelogooftheagencyresponsibleforpublishingthereport,contentsuppliedbythirdparties,andanyimagesdepictingpeople.Forlicenceconditionssee:

Thisreportshouldbeattributedas‘CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterPortfolioManagementPlan:VictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin2017–18,CommonwealthofAustralia,2017’.

TheCommonwealthofAustraliahasmadeallreasonableeffortstoidentifycontentsuppliedbythirdpartiesusingthefollowingformat‘©Copyright’notingthethirdparty.

TheviewsandopinionsexpressedinthispublicationarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreflectthoseoftheAustralianGovernmentortheMinisterfortheEnvironmentandEnergy.

Whilereasonableeffortshavebeenmadetoensurethatthecontentsofthispublicationarefactuallycorrect,theCommonwealthdoesnotacceptresponsibilityfortheaccuracyorcompletenessofthecontents,andshallnotbeliableforanylossordamagethatmaybeoccasioneddirectlyorindirectlythroughtheuseof,orrelianceon,thecontentsofthispublication.

Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterportfoliomanagementplanning

CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder

TheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolderisastatutorypositionestablishedundertheWaterAct2007andisresponsibleformanagingtheCommonwealth’senvironmentalwaterholdings.Thiswatermustbemanagedtoprotectandrestoretherivers,wetlandsandfloodplains(andthenativeanimalsandplantstheysupport)oftheMurray-DarlingBasin.MrDavidPappsisthecurrentCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolderandissupportedbystaffoftheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice.TheOfficeemployssixlocalengagementofficerswholiveandworkinregionalcentresacrosstheMurray-DarlingBasin.

Commonwealthenvironmentalwater

CommonwealthenvironmentalwaterholdingsarewaterentitlementsthathavebeenacquiredbytheAustralianGovernmentthroughinvestmentsinwater-savinginfrastructureandpurchasesonthewatermarket.Theholdingsareamixofentitlementtypesheldacross19catchments.Therulesgoverningtheentitlementsvaryacrossstatesandacrosscatchments.Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterentitlementsaresubjecttothesamefees,allocations,carryoverandotherrulesasequivalententitlementsheldbyotherwaterusers.

TherearebroadlythreeoptionsformanagingCommonwealthenvironmentalwater:

• deliveringwatertoariverorwetlandtomeetanidentifiedenvironmentaldemand
• leavingwaterinstorageandcarryingitoverforuseinthenextwateryear(referredtoas‘carryover’)
• tradingwater,thatis,sellingwaterandusing theproceedstobuywaterinanothercatchmentorinafutureyear,orinvestingincomplementary‘environmentalactivities’.

Purpose of thedocument

ThisdocumentsetsouttheplansformanagingtheCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterportfoliointheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinfor2017–18.EfficientandeffectivemanagementofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterrequirestheutilisationofallportfoliomanagementoptions.Bytakingamulti-yearapproachtoplanning,portfoliomanagementtoolssuchasuse,carryoverandtradecanbemanagedformaximisingenvironmentaloutcomes.

Theportfoliomanagementplanssupporttransparent,coordinatedandadaptivemanagementofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater,consistentwiththeBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategyandhavingregardtotheBasinannualenvironmentalwateringpriorities.

Tolearnmoreabouttheplanningapproachsee PortfolioManagementPlanning:Approachtoplanningfortheuse,carryoverandtradeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater,2017–18(availableat:

Deliverypartners

Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterismanagedinconjunctionwithanddeliveredbyarangeofpartners.Thisportfoliomanagementplanhasbeendevelopedinconsultationwithourdeliverypartners,includingtheVictorianEnvironmentalWaterHolder,Murray-DarlingBasinAuthority,GoulburnBrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority,NorthCentralCatchmentManagementAuthority,NorthEastCatchmentManagementAuthority,WimmeraCatchmentManagementAuthority,GoulburnMurrayWaterandGrampiansWimmeraMalleeWater.

Yourinput

ThemanagementofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterreliesonconsiderableadviceandassistancefromlocalorganisations,stategovernmentsandothers.IndividualsandgroupswithintheMurray-DarlingBasincommunityareencouragedtosubmitsuggestionsforthemanagementofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater.PleasecontacttheOfficevia:.

Tableofcontents

Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterportfoliomanagementplanning1

CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder1

Commonwealthenvironmentalwater1

Purposeofthedocument1

Deliverypartners1

Yourinput1

Tableof contents2

1.EnvironmentalwateringintheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin3

1.1.TheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin3

1.2.EnvironmentalobjectivesintheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin4

1.3.Environmentalflowrequirements5

1.4.Monitoringandadaptivemanagement6

2.Portfoliomanagementin2017–187

2.1.Antecedentandcurrentcatchmentconditionsandthedemandforenvironmental

waterin2017–187

2.2.Wateravailabilityin2017–189

2.3.Overallpurposeofmanagingenvironmentalwaterbasedonsupplyanddemand10

2.4.WaterDeliveryin2017–1811

2.5.Tradingwaterin2017–1812

2.6.Carryingoverwaterforusein2018–1913

2.7.IdentifyingInvestmentOpportunities13

3.Nextsteps21

3.1.Fromplanningtodecisionmaking21

3.2.Furtherinformation21

Bibliography22

AttachmentA–ExpectedoutcomesfromtheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy23

AttachmentB–Libraryofwateringactions30

OperationalconsiderationsintheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin30

Potentialwateringactions–standardoperatingarrangements35

AttachmentC–Long-termwateravailability39

Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterholdings39

Othersourcesofenvironmentalwater39

Plannedenvironmentalwater39

1.EnvironmentalwateringintheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin

1.1.TheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin

TheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinincludetheOvens,Goulburn-Broken,Loddon,Campaspe(Figure1)andWimmeracatchments.ThenorthernVictorianrivers,particularlytheOvensandGoulburn-Broken,contributesignificantlytothewaterresourcesoftheRiverMurray,and11.5percentoftheBasin’sstreamfloworiginatesintheGoulburn-Broken.LakeEildonontheGoulburnRiverisoneoftheBasin’smajorwaterstorages.TheWimmeraRiverincentral-westVictoriaflowsintoLakesHindmarshandAlbacutyaanddoesnotconnecttotheRiverMurray.TheVictorianriversregionhasahighlydevelopedagriculturalsectorandapopulationofalmosthalfamillionpeople (DEPI2015).

Figure1:MapoftheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasin.TheWimmeracatchmentisnotshownherebutislocatedincentral-westVictoria.

CommonwealthenvironmentalwaterisdeliveredtotheVictorianriversprimarilyasin-streamflowsviamanagedreleasesfromstorage.NaturalcuesmaybeusedtoinformtheuseofenvironmentalwaterinVictorianrivers,establishingamorenaturalflowregimeandmaximisingthebenefitsofenvironmentalwaterdelivery.InlowerBrokenCreek,deliveryisviairrigationinfrastructuresourcedfromeithertheGoulburnsystemortheRiverMurray.CommonwealthenvironmentalwateruseintheVictorianriverscontributestobothenhancedbaseflowsandfreshes.ThiswatercanbecreditedasreturnflowsforfurtherenvironmentalusedownstreamintheRiverMurray,withtheexceptionofflowsfromtheLoddon,OvensandWimmerarivers.

GoulburnMurrayWateristheprincipalstorageandwatersupplymanagerinVictoriancatchmentsandisresponsibleforthedaytodaydeliveryofwater(includingenvironmentalwater)throughoutitsriversystemsandirrigationsupplynetwork.GrampiansWimmeraMalleeWateristhestorageandwatersupplymanagerfortheWimmeracatchment.TheimplementationofwateringactionswithintheVictorianriversiscoordinatedbytheVictorianEnvironmentalWaterHolderandmanagedbyregionalwaterwaymanagersincludingtheGoulburn-BrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority,NorthCentralCatchmentManagementAuthority,NorthEastCatchmentManagementAuthorityandWimmeraCatchmentManagementAuthority.

1.2.EnvironmentalobjectivesintheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin

Thelong-termenvironmentalobjectivesfortheMurray-DarlingBasinaredescribedintheBasinPlan’senvironmentalwateringplanandtheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy,whichincludes‘quantifiedenvironmentalexpectedoutcomes’atbothaBasin-scaleandforeachcatchment.TheexpectedoutcomesrelevantfortheVictorianriversaredescribedinAttachmentA.

TheVictorianstategovernmenthasalsodevelopedalong-termwateringplanforallnorthernVictoriancatchments.Theplanidentifiesthepriorityenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctionsin thecatchment,theobjectivesandtargetsfortheseassetsandfunctions,andtheirwateringrequirements( water).

Basedonthesestrategiesandplans,andinresponsetobestavailableknowledgedrawingontheresultsofenvironmentalwateringmonitoringprograms,theobjectivesforenvironmentalwateringinVictorianriversaresummarisedinTable1below.Theobjectivesforwater-dependentecosystemswillcontinuetoberevisedaspartoftheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice’scommitmenttoadaptivemanagement.

Table1:SummaryofobjectivesbeingtargetedbyenvironmentalwateringintheVictorianrivers

BASIN-WIDEMATTERS
(Matters in redlinkto theBasin-wideEnvironmentalWateringStrategy) / OBJECTIVESFORENVIRONMENTALASSETSINTHEVICTORIANRIVERS
IN-CHANNELASSETS / OFF-CHANNELASSETS
Goulburn(lowerandmiddlereaches), Broken,Campaspe,Loddon,OvensandWimmerarivers;Upperand lowerBrokenCreek / GoulburnRiverwetlands;LowerBrokenwetlands;UpperBrokenCreekwetlands(MoodieSwamp)
VEGETATION / Maintainandimproveriparianandin-channelvegetationcover,extent,conditionanddiversity.Increaseperiodsofgrowthforinundationtolerant
vegetationcommunitiesthatcloselyfringeoroccur
withinriverchannels. / Maintainthecurrentextent,conditionanddiversityofwater-dependentvegetation.
Improveconditionofblackbox,riverredgumandlignumshrublands.Improverecruitmentoftreeswithinblackboxandriverredgumcommunities.
WATERBIRDS / Providehabitatandfoodsourcestosupportwaterbirdbreeding,survivalandrecruitment,andmaintainconditionandcurrentspeciesdiversity.
Supportwaterbirdbreeding,includingbrolgainMoodieSwamp
FISH / Provideflowstosupporthabitatandfoodsourcestopromoteincreasedmovement,breeding,recruitmentandsurvivalofnativefish,improveabundanceandmaintainspeciesrichness.Providenativefishpassagethroughfishways. / Provideflowcuestosupporthabitatandfoodsourcesandpromoteincreasedmovement,recruitmentandsurvivalofnativefish(particularlyforfloodplainspecialists).
INVERTEBRATES / Providehabitattosupportincreasedmicroinvertebrateandmacroinvertebratesurvival,diversity,abundanceandcondition.
OTHERVERTEBRATES / Providehabitatandfoodsourcestosupportsurvival,maintaincondition andproviderecruitmentopportunitiesfor frogs,turtles,reptilesandmammals
CONNECTIVITY / SupportlongitudinalconnectivityalongVictorianriversandtotheRiver Murrayforenvironmentalfunctionssuchasnutrientandsedimenttransport,organismdispersalandwaterquality.Supportlateralconnectivitybyincreasingthefrequencyoffreshes. / Supportlateralconnectivity(withinconstraints)towetlandsandfloodplainsbycontributingtoan increaseinthefrequencyof lowlandfloodplainflows.
PROCESSES / Supportprimaryproductivity,sediment,nutrientandcarbontransportandcycling;bioticdispersal/movement;andchannelmaintenance.
WATERQUALITY / Maintainwater qualityandproviderefugehabitatfromadversewaterqualityevents (e.g. lowdissolvedoxygenandhypoxicblackwater),includingminimisingaccumulationofAzolla(aquaticplant)inlowerBrokenCreektohelpmaintainDOlevels. / Supportthetransportof nutrientsandcarbonoffthefloodplain andintotheriverchannelanddownstream.
+RESILIENCE / Providedroughtrefugehabitat.

Informationsourcedfrom:Cottinghametal. (2003;2007;2010;2014) GBCMA(2017a-d),NCCMA(2017a-b),NECMA2017) WCMA(2017).

1.3.Environmentalflowrequirements

Notallenvironmentaldemandscanandwillbemetthroughtheuseofheldenvironmentalwater.Somedemandsaremetbyregulatedwaterdeliveriesforconsumptivepurposeswhileothersaremetbylargeunregulated/naturalflowsevents,orarebeyondwhatcanbedeliveredwithinoperationalconstraints.

Figure3showsthebroadenvironmentaldemandsthatareinscopefor Commonwealthenvironmentalwater.Importantly,thesearebroad,indicativedemands.Individualwateringeventsmaycontributetoparticularopportunitiessuchasusinginfrastructuretodeliverwatertoindividualwetlandsthatwouldotherwisenotbepossibleduetoconstraints.Also,theremaybeopportunitiesforBasinstategovernmentstoremoveormodifyconstraintswhichwillimprovetheefficiencyand/oreffectivenessofenvironmentalwatering.Furtherinformationondeliveryconstraintsaredescribedin AttachmentB.

Commonwealthenvironmentalwatercontributionunlikely:

•Goulburn-ReleasesfromLakeEildonabove9.500ML/dayandreleasesfromGoulburn Weirabove10,000 ML/day.

•Campaspe-FlowsatBarnadown,belowLakeEppalock,above1,800ML/day.

•Loddon–flowsabove450ML/daybetweenLoddonandKerangWeir.

Focusforenvironmentalwatercontributionsubjecttoseasonalconditions:

•Variablebaseflowsandfreshesaredeliveredasplanned.

Demandsmetbyothersources:

•Aproportionofbaseflowsandfreshesaremetbyminimumflowsandintervalleytransfers.

-

Figure2:ScopeofdemandsthatenvironmentalwatermaycontributetointheVictorianriversoftheMurray-DarlingBasin

Basedontheaboveobjectivesanddeliveryconstraints,specificwateringrequirements(flowmagnitude,duration,timingandfrequency)havebeenidentifiedasbeinginscopeforCommonwealthenvironmentalwater.ThesewaterrequirementsaredescribedinTable3.Aswiththeobjectives,theenvironmentalwaterrequirementswillcontinuetobereviewedandrevisedinresponsetonewknowledge.

1.4.Monitoringandadaptivemanagement

OperationalmonitoringisundertakenforallCommonwealthenvironmentalwateringactionsandinvolvescollectingon-grounddatawithregardtoenvironmentalwaterdeliverysuchasvolumesdelivered,impactontheriversystemshydrograph,areaofinundationandriverlevels.Itcanalsoincludeobservationsofenvironmentaloutcomes.

TheLongTermInterventionMonitoring(LTIM)Project isalsobeingundertakeninthelowerGoulburncatchmentandaimstounderstandtheenvironmentalresponsefromCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering.InformationonthemonitoringactivitiesintheGoulburnisavailableat

MonitoringinformationisalsoprovidedbystategovernmentsandTheLivingMurrayprogram.

Keyfindingsandrecommendationsfromthefirsttwoyears(2014–15and2015–16)oftheGoulburnLTIMProjectinclude:

Bankcondition

Theeffectofcurrentenvironmentalflowsonbankconditionisveryminorcomparedtochangesthatoccurundertheremainderoftheregulatedflowregime.Maintainingthecurrentratesofrecessionswillavoidbankerosionandencouragethedevelopmentofmuddrapes.Providingvariabilityinbaseflowsandwaterlevelswillmaintainwettingatvaryingheightsonthebankandavoidbanknotching.

Streammetabolism(primaryproductionanddecomposition)

Largerflowactionsmayberequiredinthefuturetomobilisecarbonandnutrientsfrombackwatersandthefloodplaintoboostprimaryproductivity.Althoughhigherflowsarecurrentlyinplanningframeworks,theyareunabletobedelivered(exceptvianaturalflows)duetothirdpartyriskstoproperty.Providingflowsinlatespringorsummerwhenwatersarewarmmayimprovestreamprimaryproductivity.

Macroinvertebrates

Increasedprimaryproductivityvolumesmayenhanceriver-edgehabitatsformacroinvertebrates.Maintaininganearlyspringfreshmayalleviatestresstomacroinvertebratesandincreasetheirabundanceandbiomassfornativefishfood.

Bankvegetation

Springfresheswilllikelycontributetomaintaininglowerbankvegetationandtheearlydeliveryofaspringfreshmayalsobuffervegetationintheeventofahot,drysummer. Thedeliveryofwinterflowsareimportantforreestablishmentofbankvegetationandthedeliveryofvariablebaseflowsandwaterlevelsislikelytosupportthesurvivalofyoungplantsthroughtomaturity.

Fish

Nativefishspawning,fishmovementandrecruitmentwasdetected;alsoforcarp.Flowsforgoldenperchmovementandspawningshouldbedeliveredwhenwatertemperatureisabove18°C.Resultsalsosuggestthat,wherepossible,springfreshesshouldbedeliveredunderconditionsthatarelessfavourableforcarp.

Theoutcomesfromthesemonitoringactivitiesareusedtoinformportfoliomanagementplanningandadaptivemanagementdecision-makingasoutlinedinSection2.

2.Portfoliomanagementin2017–18

InplanningforthemanagementofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater,theCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficeaimstomaximisetheoutcomesachievedfromtheavailablewater.Thisincludesconsiderationoftheurgencyofdemands(basedontargetedobjectivesandwateringrequirements,wateringhistoryandassetcondition)andtheavailablesupplyunderdifferentresourcescenarios.Plansforwaterdelivery,tradeandcarryoverarethenmadeinamulti-yearcontext,withanassessmentalsoundertakenofneedforwaterinfutureyears.

ThisplanningprocessisoutlinedinfullinTable3andsummarisedinthesectionsbelow.

2.1.Antecedentandcurrentcatchmentconditionsandthedemandforenvironmentalwaterin2017–18

AssetconditionacrosstheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinreflect15yearsofharshclimateconditions.Overthisperiodtherewasprolongeddroughtconditionsbetween1997and2010,significantfloodingin2010–11andasubsequentseriesoffourmoderate/dryyears,until2016–17.Environmentalwateringinrecentyearsandthewet conditionsexperiencedduring2016–17havecontributedtosomeimprovementinriverhealthandsupportedongoingrecoveryacrossthecatchments.ThesitestobetargetedwithenvironmentalwaterintheVictorianriversarepredominantlyin-channel.Thismeansthatdespitethehighflowsexperiencedin2016–17,manyofthesitesrequirewatereveryyearandthereforehavemoderate–highdemands,assummarisedbelowandoutlinedinTable3.

GoulburnRiver:Highdemand

Naturalflowsandenvironmentalwateringoverthelastcoupleofyearshasresultedintherestorationofvegetationthatwasdrownedandscouredfromtheriverbanksinthe2010–11floods.Ithasalsosupportedthemigrationofnativefish,particularlygoldenperch,intothelowerriverreaches.Thereisahighdemandforflowsto:maintaingoodwaterqualityandsuitablehabitatandfoodresourcestosupporttheconditionandsurvivalofnativefishandmacroinvertebrate;maintainexistingvegetationbywateringbanksandbenches;distributeseedandsupportplantstoflowerandseedforlatergerminationanddistribution;stimulatenativefishbreeding(flowcuedspawners),particularlygoldenandsilverperch;andfacilitatefishmigration.

LowerBrokenCreek:Highdemand

ThepresenceofnumeroussmallweirsinthesystemandongoingissueswithlowdissolvedoxygenlevelsandAzollagrowththreatennativefishsurvival.Keydemandsinclude:maintainingdissolvedoxygenabove5mg/L;minimisingAzollapresence;andkeepingthefish-waysopenallyeartofacilitatenativefishpassage.

UpperBrokenCreek:Moderatetohighdemand

Insummerthroughtoearlyautumn,poorwaterquality maybeexperiencedasaresultofeventssuchasfloods,lowandcease-to-flowoccurrences,intenserainfallandfire.Thisposesathreattothestablefishcommunitiesintheriver.Environmentaldemandsinclude:maintainingwaterquality;maintainingriparianvegetationconditionanddiversity;andsupportingnativefishandmacroinvertebratessurvival.

BrokenRiver:Moderatetohighdemand

Inlatesummerandautumn,ifverylowflowsareexperienced,environmentaldemandswillbeformaintaininghabitatstosupportnativefish,aquaticplantsandmacroinvertebrates,andalsotoprovidenativefishpassage.

Goulburn-Brokencatchmentwetlands:Lowtomoderatedemand

During2016naturalflowsinundatedthesewetlandsandthereforeanywateringwouldbeinresponsetonaturalevents.Ifwetlandsaredryinautumntheremaybeaneedforwatertomaintainthehealthofwetlandplantsandwaterbirdhabitat,forexample,ridgedwatermilfoilandcanegrassatMoodieSwamp.

CampaspeRiverHighdemand

Withwetconditionsin2016–17theriverhealthhasimproved.Keydemandsin2017–18include:maintainingthehealthofriverredgum,nativefish,macroinvertebrateandplatypuspopulations;supportinglongitudinalconnectivityforinstreamemergentandfringingvegetation;maintainingpoolhabitattornativefishpopulations,especiallywithrespecttodissolvedoxygenandsalinitylevels;andflushingriverbenchesoforganicmatterincoolermonthstomitigatepotentialwaterqualityissuesduringthesummer.

LoddonRiverHighdemand

Wetconditionsin2016–17broughtecologicalbenefittothesystem.In2017–18environmentaldemandsinclude:supportinglongitudinalconnectivityandmaintainingwatervolumeandqualityinrefugepoolsforfish,platypusandwaterratmovement;andmaintaininghealthyecosystemprocessessuchastransportingnutrientsandcarbonandregularlyreplenishingbiofilms.

OvensRiver:Highdemand

Inadrytoverydryscenariotheenvironmentalneedisfor:nativefishmovement;connectivitybetweenpoolsandrifflesandwiththeRiverMurray;supportingmicroinvertebratehabitat;andscouringofbio-filmfrombeds.

WimmeraRiver:Highdemand

KeydemandsintheWimmeraincludeprovidingin-streamflowstosupportnativefishreproductionandcondition,riparianvegetationcondition,macroinvertebratehabitatandfood,hydrologicalconnectivityandbioticdispersal,andmaintainingappropriatewaterquality.

Murray-DarlingBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategyand2017–18annualpriorities

Incontributingtothesedemands,theCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficewillalsobeaimingtocontributetotheexpectedoutcomesintheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy(seeAttachmentA)andthefollowing2017–18BasinannualenvironmentalwateringprioritiesrelevanttotheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasin:

• SupportBasin-scalepopulationrecoveryofnativefishbyreinstatingflowsthatpromotekeyecologicalprocessesacrosslocal,regionalandsystemscalesforthesouthern-connectedBasin
• Supportviablepopulationsofthreatenednativefishandmaximiseopportunitiesforrangeexpansionandtheestablishmentofnewpopulations
• Throughtheuseofreturnflows,supportimprovedconnectivitybetweenfreshwater,estuarineandmarineenvironmentsandimprovehabitatconditionsintheCoorongbyoptimisingandmanaginginflowsthroughtheLowerLakes

2.2.Wateravailabilityin2017–18

ForecastsofCommonwealthwaterallocations

ThevolumeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterlikelytobecarriedoverintheVictorianriversforusein2017–18isestimatedtobearound42GL.Totalcarryoverinthesouthern-connectedBasinisestimatedtobearound300–310GL.

AllocationsagainstCommonwealthwaterentitlementsinthe Victorianriversaredeterminedbystategovernmentsandwillvarydependingoninflows.ThefollowingforecastsinTable2arebasedonthebestavailableinformationincludingstateforecastsandhistoricalinflowscenarios.

Table2:ForecastsofCommonwealthwaterallocations(includingcarryover)in2017–18intheVictorianriversasat31May2017

Entitlementtype / ForecastsofCommonwealthwaterallocations(includingcarryover)in2017–18(GL)1
Verydry / Verywet
95percentile / 90percentile / 75percentile / 50percentile / 25percentile / 10percentile
Goulburn2
(High/LowReliability) / 171 / 322 / 322 / 322 / 314 / 306
UpperBrokenCreekandBrokenRiver / 0.2 / 0.3 / 0.3 / 0.3 / 0.3 / 0.3
Campaspe2(High/LowReliability) / 13 / 13 / 13 / 13 / 10 / 7
Loddon
(High/LowReliability) / 1.5 / 3.4 / 3.4 / 3.4 / 3.4 / 3.9
Ovens
(HighReliability) / 0.07 / 0.07 / 0.07 / 0.07 / 0.07 / 0.07
WimmeraGlenelg) / 12 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 26 / 33
Total–VicRivers / 197.91 / 350.91 / 350.91 / 350.91 / 353.91 / 350.41
Total–Southern-ConnectedBasin / 861 / 1273 / 1376 / 1614 / 1577 / 1526

Notes:

1.Forecastsforregulatedcatchmentsaregiventothe nearestwhole gigalitreexceptwheretheentitlementheldbytheCommonwealthisbelow1GL.

2.Totalforecastwateravailableinthesouthern-connectedBasinassumesthatinVictoria 100percentofwaterheldinspillableaccountsbecomesavailableunderamedianordryscenarioand50percentorlessbecomesavailable underwetterscenarios.Thesefiguresdonotincludesupplementary,unregulatedorgroundwateraccrualsinthesouthern-connectedBasin.

InformationonallocationstoCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterholdingscanbefoundat

Waterresourceavailabilityscenarios

Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterisnotmanagedinisolation.Whenconsideringtheavailableresourcetomeetenvironmentaldemands,itisnecessarytoalsofactorintheresourcesmanagedbyotherentitiesandavailabletocontributetoenvironmentalobjectives.Relevantresourcesincludeheldenvironmentalwater,plannedenvironmentalwater,naturalandunregulatedflows,conveyancewaterandconsumptivewater.FurtherdetailonsourcesofenvironmentalwaterintheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinisprovidedinAttachmentC.

BycombiningtheforecastsofwaterheldbytheCommonwealthwithstreamflowforecasts,aswellastakingintoaccountoperationalconsiderations,waterresourceavailabilityscenarioscanbedevelopedrangingfromverylowtoveryhigh.Basedonavailableinformation moderatetoveryhighresourceavailabilityscenariosareinscopefor2017–18intheGoulburn-Brokensystem.

IntheremainingVictoriantributariesaflexiblerangeofvariablebaseflowsandfreshesthatCommonwealthenvironmentalwatermaycontributetoisavailable,allowingforanumberofdeliveryoptionsacrossallresourceavailabilityscenarios(Table3c).

2.3.Overallpurposeofmanagingenvironmentalwaterbasedonsupplyanddemand

Environmentalwaterneeds(demand)andwateravailability(supply)bothinfluencetheoverallpurposeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwatermanagement.Underdifferentcombinations,themanagementpurposecanrangefrom‘avoidingdamage’totheenvironmentto‘improving’ecologicalhealth.Thisinturninformsthemixofportfoliomanagementoptionsthat aresuitableformaximisingoutcomes.Figure3showshowcurrentdemandsandforecastedsupplyintheGoulburnsystemareconsideredtogether.

Theoverall‘purpose’formanagingtheCommonwealth’swaterportfoliointhe VictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinfor2017–18istoprotectandimprovetheaquaticandriparianvegetation,maintainwaterquality,andsupportnativefishandotherbiotaviahabitatprovision.Ifoverallresourceavailabilityincreases,deliverieswillseektore-establishandimprovetheresilienceofnativein-channelandbankvegetationthroughelevatedbaseflowsandfreshes.

Overallenvironmentalwaterresourceavailability / Demandforenvironmentalwater
Very High– waterHigh –waterModerate– waterLow– waterVery low -waterpredominantlyneededpredominantlyneeded predominantlyneeded predominantlynot predominantlynot
urgentlythisyearthisyearand/ornextneededthisyearneededthisyearandnext
Very low
Low
Moderate
High
Very high / Avoiddamagetoenvironmentalassets / Protectandensureecologicalcapacityforrecovery / Maintainecologicalhealthandresilience
Improvethehealthandresilienceofaquaticecosystems/buildfuturecapacitytosupportecologicalhealthandresilience

Figure3:DeterminingabroadpurposeforportfoliomanagementintheGoulburn-Brokensystemfor2017–18.Note:greylinesrepresentpotentialrangeindemandandresourceavailability.

FurtherdetailonhowtheoverallpurposeforportfoliomanagementchangesunderdifferentsupplyanddemandscenariosisprovidedinPortfolioManagementPlanning:Approachtoplanningfortheuse,carryoverandtradeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater,2017–18(availableat:

2.4.WaterDeliveryin2017–18

Consistentwiththedemandsandpurposedescribedabove,theCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficeisconsideringsupplyingenvironmentalwatertothefollowingwateringactionsfor2017–18(seealsoTable3forsupportinginformationregardingthebasisfordeterminingthesewateringintentions).VolumesandflowsforeachactionareagreedbetweenthedeliverypartnersandreflectthoseintheVictorianCatchmentManagementAuthoritySeasonalWateringProposalsandVictorianEnvironmentalWaterHolderSeasonalWateringPlan.SpecificinformationonoperationalarrangementsareprovidedinAttachmentB.

GoulburnRiver(SeeAttachmentB,Table4options1a.–1g.)

Commonwealth,VictorianandTheLivingMurrayenvironmentalwaterwillbecoordinatedwithnaturalflowsandinter-valleytransfersofwatertomeetenvironmentaldemand.Allactionswillbedeliveredin-channelandmayincludeyear-roundvariablebaseflows,anearlyspringfresh,aspring/summerfresh,asummer/autumnfreshandawinterfresh.Returnflowsareavailableforusedownstream.ThereisalsopotentialforenvironmentalwatertocontributetoacombinedfishattractantflowwiththeRiverMurrayashappenedin2016–17andtocoordinatereleaseswithothersouthern-connectedbasinwateringactionstomeetbroaderenvironmentalneed.

LowerBrokenCreek(See AttachmentB,Table4options2a.–2d.)

Inadditiontonaturalflowsandinter-valleytransferofwater,Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterisavailabletomeetenvironmentaldemand.Allactionswouldbe deliveredin-channelandmayincludeyear-roundvariablebaseflowsandawinter/springflushingflow.

UpperBrokenCreek(See AttachmentB,Table4option3.)

Duringsummer/autumn,dependingondemands,environmentalwatermaybeusedtodeliverafreshof50–100ML/dayforupto10days.

BrokenRiver(See AttachmentB,Table4options4a.and4b.)

Catchmentrun-offandirrigationreleasesaregenerallysufficienttomeetenvironmentalflowrecommendations.However,whenirrigationdemanddeclinesandrunoffhasyettocommence,environmentalwatermayprovideaminimumbaseflowand/orasummer/autumnfreshtomeetenvironmentaldemand.

Goulburn-Brokencatchmentwetlands(SeeAttachmentB,Table4option5aand5b.)

Sixnaturalwetlandsinthisregionhavereceivedenvironmentalwater;BarmahForest(seetheMidMurray2017–18PortfolioManagementPlan),BlackSwamp,KinnairdsWetland,ReedySwampandMoodieSwamp.Twonewsitesmayalsobeconsideredin2017–18,GaynorSwampandStockyardPlain.CommonwealthandVictorianenvironmentalwaterisavailabletomeetenvironmentaldemandinthesewetlands.

CampaspeRiver(SeeAttachmentB,Table4options6a.–6d.)

Commonwealth,VictorianandTheLivingMurrayenvironmentalwaterwillbecoordinatedwithnaturalflowsandinter-valleytransfersofwatertomeetenvironmentaldemands.Allactionswillbedeliveredin-channelandmayincludesummerbaseflows,winterhighandlowflowsandsummerfreshes.Returnflowsareavailableforusedownstream.ThereisalsopotentialforenvironmentalwatertocontributetoacombinedfishattractantflowwiththeRiverMurrayandGoulburnRiverashappenedin2016–17.

LoddonRiver(SeeAttachmentB,Table4options7a.–7e.)

CommonwealthandVictorianenvironmentalwaterisavailabletomeetenvironmentaldemandthroughouttheyear.Allactionswouldbedeliveredin-streamandmayincludeyear-roundlowflows,summerfreshes,awinter/springhighflowandanautumnhighflow.

OvensRiver(SeeAttachmentB,Table4options8a.and8b.)

Inaverageandwetyearstheflowrecommendationsareachievedviathenaturalflowregime. Inadrytoverydryscenarioenvironmentaldemandisforlowflowstoavoidaceasetoflowevent.Wherepossibleenvironmentalwaterdeliveryisplannedtocoincidewithabulkreleasewatertransfer.

WimmeraRiver(SeeAttachmentB,Table4option9.)

AnyuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterwillbecoordinatedwithothersourcesofenvironmentalwaterand/ornaturalflows.Itmaybeusedtocontributetoin-channelbaseflowsandfreshes.Iftherearesignificantnaturalflows,environmentalwatermaybeusedtoprovideadditionalwatertotheterminalwetlands(LakeHindmarshandLakeAlbacutya).ThismayalsoleadtowaterbirdoutcomesandsupportAustralia’sobjectivesundertheRamsarConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportanceandinternationalmigratorybirdagreements.

StakeholderFeedback

EarlyInputtothepotentialwateringactionsfor2017–18wasreceivedviatheEnvironmentalWateringAdvisoryGroup(EWAG)meetingsorganisedandchairedbytheNorthCentralandGoulburnBrokenCatchmentManagementAuthorities.Membershipincludeslocallandholders,irrigators,communitymembers,theVictoriandeliverypartners(includingtheVictorianEnvironmentalWaterHolder)andtheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice.Furtherfeedbackwasprovidedfromdeliverypartnersondraftsoftheplanandincludedrefinementstoassetdemandsandrelativeurgencyfordelivery,andsomeadditionalissuesrelatedtoconstraints.

2.5.Tradingwaterin2017–18

TheWaterAct2007providesforthetradeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterallocationsandentitlementsandspecifiestheconditionsunderwhichsalesmayoccur.ToimproveenvironmentaloutcomesmustbetheprimaryreasonfortradeofCommonwealthEnvironmentalwater.TheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolderhasnoplanstotradeentitlementsin2017–18.

Aspartoftheportfoliomanagementprocess,theCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficeregularlyassessesenvironmentaldemandandsupplythroughouttheyear,consideringfactorssuchasenvironmentalconditionanddemand,currentandforecastclimateconditionsandwateravailability,carryovercapacityandmarketconditions.

Wheretheneedarisestoadjusttheavailabilityofallocationsinanyvalleyinthesouthern-connectedBasinforenvironmentaluse,thetransferofallocationsfromanothersouthernconnectedcatchmentwouldbeexploredasthepreferredandmoreefficientoptiontoallocationpurchaseorsale.Thetransferwouldbeundertakenconsistentwiththerulesidentifiedinstatewaterresourceplansthatapplytoallwaterusers.

Possiblethirdpartyimpactsfromportfoliotransfersareconsideredwhentradelimitsapply.

TheVictorianRiversregionincludestradezones1A,1B,2,3,4A,4B,4C,5A,9A,9Band21A.In2017–18,likelyadministrativetransfersbetweenenvironmentalwateraccountstoenableenvironmentalwaterdeliveryinclude:

• large(>100GL)withintradezone1A,duetothelargesizeofenvironmentalwateringactivities;
• moderate(~70GL)outofVictorianRiversregion;
• small(lessthan10GL)withinorbetweenVictorianRiversregions.

InthesouthernBasin,waterallocationoutlook statementsareforecastinghighallocationsearlyintheseason,andopportunitiestosellallocationmayarisein2017-18.Theissueofwhethertosellwillbeconsideredoncethereisgreatercertaintyregardingenvironmentaluseduringthepeakwinter-springdemandperiod,mostlikelyfromOctober2017onwards.Shouldadecisionbemadetosellallocation,furtherinformationwillbemadeavailableat: trading-actions.

FormoreinformationontherulesandproceduresgoverningthetradeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater,refertotheCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterTradingFrameworkat:

2.6.Carryingoverwaterforusein2018–19

Thevolumeofwatercarriedoverforusein2018–19willdependuponresourceavailabilityanddemandthroughouttheyear. Asthe2017–18wateryearprogressesacarryovertargetwillbedeterminedfortheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinsufficienttomeetearlyseasonwaterrequirements.

AsdocumentedinTable3a–cbelow,potentialdemandsin2018–19include:

• Year-roundvariablebaseflowsandfreshesintheGoulburnRiver
• YearroundvariablebaseflowsinLowerBrokenCreek
• VariablebaseflowsandfreshesintheCampaspeandLoddonrivers
• VariablebaseflowsandfreshesintheWimmerariver

Carryovervolumeswillbeadjustedthroughouttheyearastheseasonunfoldsinresponsetobothcurrentandfuturedemandsandthetotalwateravailabletomeetthesedemands.Thesedecisionswillbebaseduponbestinformationavailableatthetime.

GiventheconnectednatureofsouthernMurray-DarlingBasincatchmentsandthevaryingcarryover,accountanduselimits,carryoverisconsideredatabroaderscalethanjusttheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasin.MoreinformationonhowtheCommonwealthmakesdecisionsoncarryoveris at:

2.7.IdentifyingInvestmentOpportunities

ChangestotheWaterAct2007in2016haveincreasedtheflexibilityfortheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder(CEWH)tousetheproceedsofwaterallocationsalestoinvestinenvironmentalactivities.UndertheseamendmentsenvironmentalactivitiesmustimproveenvironmentaloutcomesandbeundertakenforthepurposeofprotectingandrestoringenvironmentalassetsintheBasin.

TheCEWHwillpublicallyreleaseaDiscussionPaperseekingfeedbackonwhattypeofactivitiesstakeholderswouldliketheCEWHtoconsiderwhendevelopingaframeworkforfutureinvestmentinenvironmentalactivities.

Itshould benoted thatproceedsof pastwater salesmustbe managedbased on the legislationinplace atthattimeandarenotavailabletobeusedfortheseactivities.

Table3a:Environmentaldemands,priorityforwateringin2017–18andoutlookforcomingyearsintheGoulburn-Broken–MODERATEWATERRESOURCEAVAILABILITY(HIGHALLOCATION,LOWINFLOW)IN2017–18

Indicativedemand
(forallsourcesofwaterinthesystem) / Wateringhistory
(fromallsourcesofwater) / 2017-18 / Implicationsforfuturedemands
Predominanturgencyofenvironmentaldemandforwater / Purposeundermoderateresource availability / PotentialCommonwealthenvironmentalwatercontribution / Likelyurgencyofdemand in2018–19ifwateringoccurredasplannedin2017-18 / 2019–20
Rangeoflikelydemand / Metin2018–19
Flow/volume1 / Requiredfrequency(maximumdryinterval) / 2014–15 / 2015–16 / 2016–17
moderate / drying / verywet / Notmetin2018–19
GoulburnRiver(Reaches 4
and 5) / Baseflow(all year).
500–940ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysforfishandmacroinvertebratehabitatandvegetation. / Annually / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Springfresh(Sept/Oct).
Upto10 000 ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysBridge2with 14 daysabove5 600ML/dayforlowerbankvegetationestablishmentandmaintenance. / Annually / Partiallymet(8daysabove
5600
ML/day). / Partiallymet
(11 daysabove 5600
ML/day). / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Spring/summerfresh(Nov/Dec).
Upto10,000ML/dayatMurchison/McCoys2with2 daysabove6,600 tostimulategoldenperchspawning. / 2in3 years / Nodeliveryduetolowwateravailability. / Nodeliveryabovebaseflowtoprotectvegetationfollowingnaturalinundation. / High / Protect / High / Moderate / Moderate
High
Summer/autumnfresh(FebtoApril).
5 600 ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysfor
2 daysor4,600ML/dayfor10daysfor lowerbanknativevegetationandjuvenilefishmigration(whencombinedwithaflowintheRiverMurray). / Annually / Partiallymet(peakedatonly~4,000ML/day). / Moderate / Maintain / Highifrequired / Moderate-High / Moderate
High
Winterfresh(June/July).
Upto15 000 ML/dayat
Murchison/McCoyswith14
daysabove 6600 ML/day1toprovidevegetationandmacroinvertebratehabitat. / 1in2 years / Partiallymet(5daysabove
6600
ML/day). / Nodeliveryduetolowwateravailability. / Fulldeliveryplannedattimeofpublication. / Moderate / Maintain / High / Moderate / Moderate
High
Winter/earlyspringfresh(August)
Upto5,000ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysfor2daysforincreasedfishconditioningpriortothefishspawningflow. / Whenafishspawningactionisplanned / ?? / ?? / ?? / High / Protect / Highwhenafishspawningeventisplanned / Moderate / Moderate
High
GoulburnRiver(Reach1) / Baseflow (JulytoSeptandApriltoJune).
400ML/dayatEildonformacroinvertebratesandsmall-bodiedfishhabitatandto maintainaquaticvegetation. / To bedetermined / Partiallymetwithunregulatedflows. / Partiallymetwithunregulatedflows. / Notmet. / HighModerate / Maintain / High / Moderate / High
Indicativedemand
(forallsourcesofwaterinthesystem) / Wateringhistory
(fromallsourcesofwater) / 2017-18 / Implicationsforfuturedemands
Predominanturgencyofenvironmentaldemandforwater / Purposeundermoderateresource availability / PotentialCommonwealthenvironmentalwatercontribution / Likelyurgencyofdemand in2018–19ifwateringoccurredasplannedin2017-18 / 2019–20
Rangeoflikelydemand / Metin2018–19
Flow/volume1 / Requiredfrequency(maximumdryinterval) / 2014–15 / 2015–16 / 2016–17
moderate / drying / verywet / Notmetin2018–19
LowerBroken Creek(Reach3) / Baseflow(all year).
40ML/dayatRicesWeirtooperatethefishladderwhichprovidesnativefishpassage. / Annually / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Springelevatedbaseflow(AugtoNovcontinuous).
120ML/dayatRices WeirtominimiseAzollagrowth. / Annually / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Springtoautumnhighbaseflow(OcttoMaycontinuous).
150–250ML/dayatRicesWeirto maintainDOlevelsabove5mg/L. / Annually / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Winter/springflushingflow(AugtoNov).
250ML/dayatRices Weirforupto14 daystoremovelarge Azollablooms. / Annuallyifrequired / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Spring/summerbaseflow(SepttoDec).
250ML/dayatRicesWeirtoincreasenativefishhabitatduringmigrationandbreedingseasons. / Annually / Met55%ofthetimeduetohighirrigationdemand. / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
UpperBroken Creek / Summer/autumnfresh.
50–100ML/dayforupto10daystomaintainwaterqualityandsupportsurvivalofnativefish andmacroinvertebrates / Annually / Partial (hasreceivedsomeflowsresultingfrome-waterdeliveriesenroutetoMoodieSwamp). / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
BrokenRiver / Summer/autumnbaseflow.
Minimum15ML/daytomaintainhabitattosupportnativefish,aquatic plantsandmacroinvertebrates. / Annually / Predominatelymet. / Partial / Partial / Moderate / Maintain / Maybemetbyothermeans. / Moderate / Moderate
High
Summer/autumnfresh.
400–500ML/dayfor2to8daysto maintainaquaticvegetationandprovidenativefish
passageandprovideflowcuesfornativefishbreedingandmigration. / Annually / Partial / Moderate / Maintain / Maybemetbyothermeans. / Moderate / Moderate
High

1.Flowvolumesand durationforGoulburn Brokencatchmentsreflect those fromGBCMA2017a–d.

2.Flowsabove 10,000ML/day atMcCoysBridgeorMurchison would be subject tonaturalflowcues.

Key- eventsinpreviousyears

meansdemand wasmetbyCommonwealthenvironmentalwateroranyothersource

meansdemand waspartiallymetbyCommonwealthenvironmentalwateroranyothersource (maybe usedtoindicateinfrastructureassisteddelivery)meanswaternotprovided(ornotrequired)

Notethatnotalldemandsrequire watereveryyear;dryingphasesareimportantforfloodplainsandtemporarywetlandsorstreams

Key-potentialwateringin2017-18

meansahighpriorityforCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering(fullorpartialcontribution,andsubjecttoseasonalandoperationalconsiderations)meansasecondarypriorityforCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering,likelytobemetviaothermeans(otherwaterholders,ornaturalflows) meansalowpriorityforCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering

Key-urgencyofenvironmentaldemands

meanscriticaldemandi.e.urgentneedforwaterinthatparticularyeartomanageriskofirretrievablelossordamagemeanshighdemandforwateri.e.neededinthatparticularyear

meansmoderatedemandforwateri.e.waterneededthatparticularyearand/ornextmeanslowdemandforwateri.e.watergenerallynotneededthatparticularyear

meansverylowdemandforwateri.e.watergenerallynotneededthatparticularyearorthefollowingyear

Notethatdemandisconsideredatageneralisedscale;there maybe specific requirementsthataremoreorlessurgentwithin theflowregime

Table3b:Environmentaldemands,priorityforwateringin2017–18andoutlookforcomingyearsintheGoulburn-Broken–HIGH/VERYHIGHWATERRESOURCEAVAILABILITY(HIGHALLOCATION/MOD-HIGHINFLOW)IN2017–18

Environmentalassets / Indicativedemand
(forallsourcesofwaterinthesystem) / Wateringhistory
(fromallsourcesofwater) / 2017-18 / Implicationsforfuturedemands
Predominanturgency ofenvironmental demandforwater / Purposeunder high/very highresource availability / PotentialCommonwealthenvironmentalwatercontribution? / Likelyurgencyofdemand in2018–19ifwateringoccurredasplannedin2017-18 / 2019–20
Rangeoflikelydemand / Metin2018–19
Flow/volume1 / Requiredfrequency(maximumdryinterval) / 2014–15 / 2015–16 / 2016–17
moderate / drying / verywet / Notmetin2018–19
GoulburnRiver(Reaches 4
and5) / Baseflow(all year).
500–940ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysforfishandmacroinvertebratehabitatandvegetation. / Annually / High / Improve / High / High / High
High
Springfresh(Sept/Oct).
Upto10 000 ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysBridge2with 14 daysabove5 600ML/dayforlowerbankvegetationestablishmentandmaintenance. / Annually / Partiallymet
(8daysabove5600
ML/day). / Partiallymet
(11daysabove5600
ML/day). / High / Improve / Likelytobe metbyunregulatedflows. / High / High
High
Spring/summerfresh(Nov/Dec).
Upto10,000ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysfor2 daysabove 6,600 tostimulategoldenperchspawning. / 2in3 years / Nodeliveryduetolowwateravailability
. / Nodeliverytoprotectvegetationfromfurtherinundation. / High / Improve / Highifrequired / Moderate-High / Moderate
High
Summer/autumnfresh(FebtoApr).
5 600 ML/dayat
Murchison/McCoysfor2daysor4,600ML/dayfor10daysfor lowerbanknativevegetationandjuvenilefishmigration(whencombinedwithaflowintheRiverMurray). / Annually / Partiallymet(peakedatonly
~4,000
ML/day). / Moderate / Improve / Highifrequired / Moderate-High / Moderate
High
Winterfresh(June/July).
Upto15 000 ML/dayat
Murchison/McCoyswith14
daysabove 6600 ML/daytoprovidevegetationandmacroinvertebratehabitat. / 1in2 years / Partiallymet
(5daysabove6600
ML/day). / Nodeliveryduetolowwateravailability
. / Fulldeliveryplannedattimeofpublication. / Moderate / Maintain / High / Moderate / Moderate
High
Winter/earlyspringfresh(August)
Upto5,000ML/dayatMurchison/McCoysfor2daysforincreasedfishconditioningpriortothefishspawningflow. / Whenafishspawningactionisplanned / High / Improve / Highwhenafishspawningeventisplanned / Moderate / Moderate
High
GoulburnRiver(Reach1) / Baseflow (JulytoSeptandApriltoJune).
400ML/dayatEildonformacroinvertebratesandsmall-bodiedfishhabitatandto maintainaquaticvegetation. / To bedetermined / Partiallymeetwithunregulatedflows. / Partiallymetwithunregulatedflows. / Notmet. / High / Maintain / High / Moderate / High
Environmentalassets / Indicativedemand
(forallsourcesofwaterinthesystem) / Wateringhistory
(fromallsourcesofwater) / 2017-18 / Implicationsforfuturedemands
Predominanturgency ofenvironmentaldemand forwater / Purposeunder high/very highresource availability / PotentialCommonwealthenvironmentalwatercontribution? / Likelyurgencyofdemand in2018–19ifwateringoccurredasplannedin2017-18 / 2019–20
Rangeoflikelydemand / Metin2018–19
Flow/volume1 / Requiredfrequency(maximumdryinterval) / 2014–15 / 2015–16 / 2016–17
moderate / drying / verywet / Notmetin2018–19
LowerBroken Creek(Reach3) / Baseflow(all year).
40ML/dayatRicesWeirtooperatethefishladderwhichprovidenativefishpassage. / Annually / High / Improve / High / High / High
High
Springelevatedbaseflow(AugtoNovcontinuous).
120ML/dayatRicesWeirtominimiseAzollagrowth. / Annually / High / Improve / High / High / High
High
Springtoautumnhighbaseflow(Oct to Maycontinuous).
150–250ML/dayatRicesWeirtomaintainDOlevelsabove5mg/L. / Annually / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Winter/springflushingflow(AugtoNov).
250ML/dayatRicesWeirforup to14 daystoremovelarge Azollablooms. / Annuallyifrequired / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
Spring/summerbaseflow(SepttoDec).
250ML/dayatRicesWeirtoincreasenativefishhabitatduringmigrationandbreedingseasons. / Annually / Met55%ofthetimeduetohighirrigationdemand. / High / Improve / High / High / High
High
UpperBroken Creek / Summer/autumnfresh.
50–100ML/dayforupto10daystomaintainwaterqualityandsupportsurvivalofnativefish andmacroinvertebrates. / Annually / Partial (hasreceivedsomee-waterflowsfromdeliveriesenroutetoMoodieSwamp). / High / Protect / High / High / High
High
BrokenRiver / Summer/autumnbaseflow.
Minimum15 ML/daytomaintainhabitattosupportnativefish,aquaticplantsandmacroinvertebrates. / Annually / Moderate / Maintain / Maybemetbyothermeans. / Moderate / Moderate
High
Summer/autumnfresh.
400–500 ML/dayfor2to8daystomaintainaquaticvegetationandprovidenativefish
passageandprovideflowcuesfornativefishbreedingandmigration. / Annually / Moderate / Maintain / Maybemetbyothermeans. / Moderate / Moderate
High
Environmentalassets / Indicativedemand
(forallsourcesofwaterinthesystem) / Wateringhistory
(fromallsourcesofwater) / 2017-18 / Implicationsforfuturedemands
Predominanturgency ofenvironmentaldemand forwater / Purposeunder high/very highresource availability / PotentialCommonwealthenvironmentalwatercontribution? / Likelyurgencyofdemand in2018–19ifwateringoccurredasplannedin2017-18 / 2019–20
Rangeoflikelydemand / Metin2018–19
Flow/volume / Requiredfrequency(maximumdryinterval) / 2014–15 / 2015–16 / 2016–17
moderate / drying / verywet / Notmetin2018–19
Goulburn-Broken catchmentwetlands(excludingBarmah) / Infrastructuredeliverytosemi-permanentwetlandsinsupportofnativevegetationandprovisionofdroughtrefugeforwaterbirds. / Variableacrosswetlands. / Waterdeliveredtosomewetlandsonly / WaterdeliveredtoMoodieSwamp. / Naturalflowsto allwetlands. / Low / Maintain / Low–ifprovidedbyotherwaterholders. / High / Moderate
High
MoodieSwampmax dryintervalis1year. / High / Maintain / Highifrequired / Moderate / High
Moderate
1.Flowvolumesand durationforGoulburn Brokencatchmentsreflect those fromGBCMA2017a–d.
2.Flowsabove 10,000ML/day atMcCoysBridgeorMurchison would be subject tonaturalflowcues.
Key- eventsinpreviousyears
meansdemand wasmetbyCommonwealthenvironmentalwateroranyothersource
meansdemand waspartiallymetbyCommonwealthenvironmentalwateroranyothersource (maybe usedtoindicateinfrastructureassisteddelivery)meanswaternotprovided(ornotrequired)
Notethatnotalldemandsrequire watereveryyear;dryingphasesareimportantforfloodplainsandtemporarywetlandsorstreams
Key-potentialwateringin2017-18
meansahighpriorityforCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering(fullorpartialcontribution,andsubjecttoseasonalandoperationalconsiderations)meansasecondarypriorityforCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering,likelytobemetviaothermeans(otherwaterholders,ornaturalflows) meansalowpriorityforCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering
Key-urgencyofenvironmentaldemands
meanscriticaldemandi.e.urgentneedforwaterinthatparticularyeartomanageriskofirretrievablelossordamagemeanshighdemandforwateri.e.neededinthatparticularyear
meansmoderatedemandforwateri.e.waterneededthatparticularyearand/ornextmeanslowdemandforwateri.e.watergenerallynotneededthatparticularyear
meansverylowdemandforwateri.e.watergenerallynotneededthatparticularyearorthefollowingyear
Notethatdemandisconsideredatageneralisedscale;there maybe specific requirementsthataremoreorlessurgentwithin theflowregime / Carryoverpotential / Moderateproportionofavailableallocationexpectedtobecarriedinto2018–19;consideredinthecontextofSouthernConnectedBasincarryover. / Potentialcarryoverwilldependuponresourceavailabilityanddemands
Tradepotential / Underhighandveryhighwaterresourceavailabilityscenarios,theremaybeanopportunitytosellVictorianallocation(subjecttoanassessmentthatareasonablelevelofsupplyordemandexistswithinthewatermarket).Theissueofwhethertosellallocationwillbeconsideredoncethereisgreatercertaintyregardingenvironmentalwateruseduringthewinter-springperiod, mostlikelyfromOctober2017onwards.

Table3c:Long-TermPlanfortheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinreflectedinlong-termcommitmentsbytheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder –underallresourceavailabilityscenarios1

EnvironmentalAsset / Indicativedemand / Wateringhistory
(fromallsourcesofwater) / PotentialCommonwealthenvironmentalwatercontribution
2017-18to2019-20 / Purposeand ExpectedOutcomes
Flow/volume2 / RequiredFrequency / 2014–15 / 2015–16 / 2016–17
drying / drying / verywet
Campaspe River / UptothetotalCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterentitlementof6913ML(6 517 HRWSand396LRWS)peryeartocontributetoin-streamflowsatBarnadown Weir,toreach4,withenroutebenefittoreaches2and3,forexample:

• Summerlowflows:10–50ML/day,continuous.
• Winterlowflow:20-200ML/day,continuouswithflowvariability.
• Winter highflow:1000–1500ML/day for2–4dayspeakpriortoplatypusegglaying(August).
• Summer freshes:100-200ML/day,uptothreeactionsfor2–3dayspeakeach.Highpriorityifwinterhighflowhasbeendelivered.

/ AnnuallyasperagreedhydrographswiththeVictorianEnvironmentalWaterHolderandCatchmentManagementAuthorities. / Allpriorityflowswereachieved. / High / Under different scenariosthepurposeis to‘protect’,movingtowards‘maintainandthen‘improve’thehealthandconditionoftargetedassets.
Environmentalwaterwillcontributetoin-streamflowsinsupportofvegetationgrowthandsurvival;nativefishreproduction,colonisation,andcondition;adultriverredgums;platypuspopulations;hydrologicalconnectivity;bioticdispersalandimprovedwaterquality-includingcontrollingsalinityandstratificationindeeppoolsinreaches3and4.
LoddonRiver / UptothetotalCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterentitlementof3883ML(3 356HRWSand527LRWS)peryeartocontributetoin-streamflowsinreach4betweenLoddonandKerangWeir,forexample:

• Summer/autumnfreshes(Dec-May):50-100ML/dayfor3–4daysatpeak,upto 3 times/year.
• Winter/springhighflow(Sept-Oct):450–750ML/daywith a 7-10 daypeak.
• Winter/springlowflow(continuousJune-Nov):50-100ML/day.
• Summer/autumnlowflows(continuousDec-May):25–50ML/day.
• Autumnhighflow-notexpectedinadroughtscenario(April-May):400 ML/daywith a6daypeak.Eventwillbe 3weeksoverall andoccuronceayear.

/ Allpriorityflowsdelivered–somemodifiedtotakeaccountofdryconditions. / Allpriorityflowswereachieved,withsomeexceedingtherequiredrateanddurationduetonaturalflows. / High / Under different scenariosthepurposeis to‘protect’,movingtowards‘maintain’andthen‘improve’thehealthandconditionoftargetedassets.
Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterwillcontributeto:maintainingadequatedepthinpools forfish;waterratsandplatypus;connectivityforin-streamandfringingnon-woodyvegetation;flushingfinesedimentandorganicmaterial;promotingfishmovement;andminimisingterrestrialisation.
OvensRiver / UptothetotalCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterentitlementof70MLperyear(50 MLfromLakeWilliamHovelland20MLfromLakeBuffalo)tocontributetoin-streamflowswithintheOvens,KingsandBuffalorivers,forexample:

• PulsedautumnfreshinconjunctionwithabulkwatertransferfromLakeBuffalo.
• Variabilityinbaseflowsifbulk watertransferisnotavailable(Nov-May).

/ High / Whenreleasedwithabulkwatertransfer,Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterwillcontributetomaintaining:themovementofnativefish;naturalconnectivitybetweenpools;microinvertebratehabitat;andscouringofbio-filmfrombeds.
Whencontributingtolowflows,Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterwillhelptomaintain:waterquality;nativefishhabitat;connectivitysufficientforfishpassagebetweenpools;andmovementofsedimentformicroinvertebratehabitat.
WimmeraSystem / UptothetotalCommonwealthentitlementof
28000ML(LRWS2)peryear3tocontributetowardin-streamflowswithinthe WimmeraRiver(baseflowandfreshes),subjecttoenvironmentalneed,deliveryconstraintsandwateravailability.At timeofwriting14,280 MLof2016-2017allocationwasavailable.Thiswillbecarriedoverminus15 percentevaporativeloss (net12,138ML). / DuetothelowreliabilityoftheCommonwealthholdings,deliveryisnotexpectedtooccurinmostyears. / Commonwealthenvironmentalwatercarriedoverfrom2016-2017.
CommonwealthenvironmentalwaterwillbeusedtoassisttheVictorianEnvironmentalWaterHolderinmeetingobjectivesinthegreater Wimmerasystemviaacombinationofpartialallocationsand/orcarryoversfrompreviousyears.
Wateringtheterminalwetlandsisunlikelyasitrequiressignificantvolumesofwaterthatareonlyavailableundersuccessiveverywetconditionswhenunregulatedconditionswouldflowtothelakes. / Commonwealthwaterwillaimtosupportnativefishreproductionandcondition;riparianvegetationcondition;macroinvertebratehabitatandfood;hydrologicalconnectivityandbioticdispersal;andmaintainingappropriatewaterquality consistentwithcontributionsfromtheVEWHandwiththeseasonalwateringproposalpreparedbytheWimmeraCMA.Releaseswillfocusonreaches3and4inthe WimmeraRiver.
Infutureyears,larger pulsesmaybeusedtoprovideadditionalwatertotheterminalwetlands (LakeHindmarshandLakeAlbacutya)when coupledwithnaturalflowsand mayleadtowaterbird outcomesthatsupportAustralia’sobjectivesunderTheRamsarConventiononWetlandsandotherinternationalmigratorybirdagreements.Thismayincludewaterbirdreproductionandrecruitmentandanincreaseinlocalandlandscapewaterbirdsurvivalanddiversity.

1.TheCommonwealth and Victorian EnvironmentalWaterHoldershave agreedto 5-yearwateringschedules(2014-15to2018-19)for theCampaspe, Loddon and Ovens Rivers.

2.Flowvolumesand durationforCampaspe, Loddon and Ovens Riverscatchmentsreflect those from NCCMA2017aandb, and NECMA2017.

.

3.Nextsteps

3.1.Fromplanningtodecisionmaking

Itisimportanttodistinguishbetweenplanningandoperationaldecisionmaking.AsshowninFigure4,planningallowstheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficetomanagetheenvironmentalwaterportfolioinaholisticmanner andisanexerciseindevelopingabroadapproachorintention,basedonthekeydrivers(demandandsupply).

Decisionmakingthroughouteachyearbuildsontheintentionbyconsideringinmoredetailthespecificprevailingfactorsandadditionalfactorssuchascosts,risks,andconstraintstowaterdeliveryandmarketconditions.

Figure4:PlanninganddecisionmakingforCommonwealthenvironmentalwateruse

3.2.Furtherinformation

Forfurtherinformationon howtheOfficeplansforwateruse,carryoverandtrade,pleasevisitourwebsite:

• Water use: office/assessment-framework

• Carryover: office/portfolio-management/carryover

• Trade:DiscussionPaper–TradeofCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterandCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterTradingFramework:

Bibliography

Cottingham,P.,Crook,D.,Hillman,T.,Roberts,J.,andStewardson,M.(2010)ObjectivesflowfreshesinthelowerGoulburnriver2010/11.ReportpreparedfortheGoulburn-BrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority.

Cottingham,P.,Brown,P.,Lyon,J.,Pettigrove,V.,Roberts,J.,Vietz,G.,andWoodman,A.(2014)MidGoulburnRiverFLOWSstudy,Finalreport:flowrecommendations.PreparedfortheGoulburn-BrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority,December2014.

Cottingham,P.,Stewardson,M.,Crook,D.,Hillman,T.,Oliver,R.,Roberts,J.,andRutherfurd,I.(2007)Evaluationofsummerinter-valleywatertransfersfromtheGoulburnRiver,preparedfortheGoulburn-BrokenCMA.

Cottingham,P.,Stewardson,M.,Crook,D.,Hillman,T.,Roberts,J.,andRutherfurd,I.(2003)EnvironmentalflowrecommendationsfortheGoulburnRiverbelowLakeEildon.CRCFreshwaterEcologyandCRCCatchmentHydrology,TechnicalReport01/2003.

(DEPI)DepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustries(2015),VictoriaandtheMurray-DarlingBasin,

(GBCMA)–seeGoulburnBrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority

Goulburn-BrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017a)GoulburnRiverSeasonalWateringProposal2017-18.

Goulburn-BrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017b)LowerBrokenCreekSeasonalWateringProposal2017-18.

Goulburn-BrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017c)BrokenRiverandUpperBrokenCreekSeasonalWateringProposal2017-18.

Goulburn-BrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017d)GoulburnBrokenWetlandsSeasonalWateringProposal2017-18.

(MDBA)–seeMurray-DarlingBasinAuthority

Murray-DarlingBasinAuthority(MDBA)(2013a),PreliminaryOverviewofConstraintstoEnvironmentalWaterDeliveryintheMurray–DarlingBasin

Murray-DarlingBasinAuthority(MDBA)(2013b),ConstraintsManagementStrategyMurray-DarlingBasinAuthority(2014),Basin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy.(NCCMA)–seeNorthCentralCatchmentManagementAuthority

NorthCentralCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017a).SeasonalWateringProposalfortheCampaspeRiverSystemDownstreamofLakeEppalock2017–18.NorthCentralCatchmentManagementAuthority,Huntly,Victoria.

NorthCentralCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017b).SeasonalWateringProposalfortheLoddonRiverSystem2017–18.NorthCentralCatchmentManagementAuthority,Huntly,Victoria.

(NECMA)NorthEastCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017).2017-18OvensRiverSystem

SeasonalWateringProposal.NorthEastCatchmentManagementAuthority,Wodonga,Victoria.

(WCMA)WimmeraCatchmentManagementAuthority(2017).SeasonalWateringProposalfortheWimmeraRiverSystem2017–-18.WimmeraCatchmentManagementAuthority.Victoria.

AttachmentA–ExpectedoutcomesfromtheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy

Goulburn-Broken

ExpectedoutcomesfromtheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy(MDBA2014)thatarerelevanttotheGoulburn-Brokenaredescribedbelow.

RIVERFLOWSANDCONNECTIVITY

Baseflowsareatleast60percentofthenaturallevel.

Contributetoa30percentoverallincreaseinflowsintheRiverMurray.

A30–60percentincreaseinthefrequencyoffreshes,bankfullandlowlandfloodplainflows.

VEGETATION

Maintaincurrentextentofforestandwoodlandvegetationandnonwoodyvegetationandwater-dependentvegetationnearriverchannelsandonlow-lyingareasofthefloodplain.

Improvedconditionofblackboxandriverredgum.

Improvedrecruitmentoftreeswithinblackboxandriverredgumcommunities.

Vegetationextent

Areaofriverredgum(ha) / Areaofblackbox(ha) / Areaofcoolibah(ha) / Shrublands / Non-woodywaterdependentvegetation
19800 / 500 / CloselyfringingoroccurringwithintheBrokenCk,BrokenandGoulburnrivers

Blackboxcondition

Vegetationconditionscore / Percentofvegetationassessed(withinthemanagedfloodplain)
0– 6 / >6–10
28percent / 72percent / 77percent

Riverredgumcondition

Vegetationconditionscore / Percentofvegetationassessed(withinthemanagedfloodplain)
0– 2 / >2– 4 / >4– 6 / >6– 8 / >8–10
1percent / 2percent / 7percent / 34percent / 55percent / 89percent

WATERBIRDS

Currentspeciesdiversityismaintained.

A20–25percentincreaseinBasin-wideabundanceofwaterbirdsby2024.

A30–40percentincreaseinnestsandbroods(Basin-wide)forotherwaterbirds.

Upto50percentmorebreedingevents(Basin-wide)forcolonialnestingwaterbirdspecies.

ImportantBasinenvironmentalassetsforwaterbirdsintheGoulburn-Broken

Environmentalasset / Totalabundanceanddiversity / Droughtrefuge / Colonialwaterbirdbreeding / Shorebirdabundance / InscopeforC’thwatering
Coropwetlands / * / * / No
Wintonwetlands / * / No
WarangaBasin / * / No

FISH

Nolossofnativespecies.

Improvedpopulationstructureofkeyspeciesthroughregularrecruitment,including:

• Short-livedspecieswithdistributionandabundanceatpre-2007levelsandbreedingsuccessevery1–2years.
• Moderatetolong-livedwithaspreadofageclassesandannualrecruitmentinatleast80percentofyears.

Increasedmovementofkeyspecies.

Expandeddistributionofkeyspeciesandpopulations.

KeyspeciesfortheGoulburn-Brokeninclude:

Species / Specificoutcomes / In-scopeforC’thwaterintheGoulburn-Broken?
Flatheadgalaxias(Galaxiasrostratus) / Improvedcorerangeinadditionallocations,includingtheGoulburn. / No
Goldenperch(Macquariaambigua) / A10–15percentincreaseofmaturefishabundance(oflegaltakesize)inkeypopulations. / Yes
Macquarieperch(Macquariaaustralasica) / Establishmentofatleastfouradditionalriverinepopulations(candidatesitesincludemid-GoulburnRiver). / Yes
Murraycod(Maccullochellapeeliipeelii) / A10–15percentincreaseofmaturefishabundance(oflegaltakesize)inkeypopulations. / Yes
Silverperch(Bidyanusbidyanus) / ExpandedpopulationwithintheGoulburnRiver.
ExpandedpopulationupstreamofLakeMulwalaandintotheOvensRiver,andincreasedrangeupthelowerGoulburnRiver
Improvedcorerangeinatleasttwoadditionallocations(candidatesiteincludesBrokenCk). / Yes–lowerGoulburnRiver.
FishmayalsomigrateintolowerBrokenCreek.
Troutcod(Maccullochellamacquariensis) / Establishmentofatleasttwoadditionalpopulations(candidatesitesincludethemid-GoulburnRiver).
Note:attemptstore-establishmid-Goulburnpopulationshavecommenced. / Establishmentofnewpopulationsisdependentoncomplimentaryactivities.
EnvironmentalwaterwillhowevertargetexistingpopulationsinthelowerGoulburnRivertoincreaseabundanceandpotentiallyalsorange
Two-spinedblackfish(Gadopsisbispinosus) / Expandtherangeofatleasttwocurrentpopulations(candidatesitesincludetheupperGoulburntributaries). / Yes–mid-GoulburnRiver.

ImportantBasinenvironmentalassetsfornativefishintheGoulburn-Broken

Environmentalasset / Keymovementcorridors / HighBiodiversity / SiteofotherSignificance / Keysiteofhydrodynamicdiversity / Threatenedspecies / Dryperiod/droughtrefuge / In-scopeforC’thwater
LowerGoulburnRiver / * / * / * / * / * / * / *
BrokenRiver / * / * / * / * / * / *
BrokenCreek / * / * / *

Campaspe

ExpectedoutcomesfromtheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy(MDBA2014)thatarerelevanttotheCampaspearedescribedbelow.

RIVERFLOWSANDCONNECTIVITY

Baseflowsareatleast60percentofthenaturallevel.

Contributetoa30percentoverallincreaseinflowsintheRiverMurray.A10-20percentincreaseinthefrequencyoffreshesandbankfull.

VEGETATION

Maintainthecurrentextentofforestandwoodlandvegetationandnon-woodyvegetation.Nodeclineintheconditionofblackboxandriverredgum.

Improvedrecruitmentoftreeswithinblackboxandriverredgumcommunities.

Vegetationextent

Areaofriverredgum(ha) / Areaofblackbox(ha) / Areaofcoolibah(ha) / Shrublands / Non–woodywaterdependentvegetation
1900 / <100 / CloselyfringingoroccurringwithintheCampaspeRiver

WATERBIRDS

Maintaincurrentspeciesdiversity.

IncreaseBasin-wideabundanceofwaterbirdsby20–25percentby2024.

A30–40percentincreaseinnestsandbroods(Basin-wide)forotherwaterbirds.

Upto50percentmorebreedingevents(Basin-wide)forcolonialnestingwaterbirdspecies.

FISH

Nolossofnativespecies.

Improvedpopulationstructureofkeyspeciesthroughregularrecruitment,including:

• Short-livedspecieswithdistributionandabundanceatpre-2007levelsandbreedingsuccessevery1–2years.
• Moderatetolong-livedwithaspreadofageclassesandannualrecruitmentinatleast80percentofyears.

Increasedmovementsofkeyspecies.

Expandeddistributionofkeyspeciesandpopulations.

KeyspeciesfortheCampaspeinclude:

Species / Specificoutcomes / In-scopeforC’the-waterintheCampaspe?
Goldenperch(Macquariaambigua) / A10–15percentincreaseofmaturefish(oflegaltakesize)inkeypopulations. / Yes
Murraycod(Maccullochellapeeliipeelii) / A10–15percentincreaseofmaturefish(oflegaltakesize)inkeypopulations. / Yes
Riverblackfish(Gadopsismarmoratus) / Establish1–3additionalpopulations(candidatesitesincludedownstreamoftheCampaspeRivers). / Yes
Silverperch(Bidyanusbidyanus) / Improvecorerangeinatleasttwoadditionallocations–(candidatesitesincludeCampaspeRivers). / Yes

LoddonRiver

ExpectedoutcomesfromtheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy(MDBA2014)thatarerelevanttotheLoddonaredescribedbelow.

RIVERFLOWSANDCONNECTIVITY

Baseflowsareatleast60percentofthenaturallevel.

Contributetoa30percentoverallincreaseinflowsintheRiverMurray.A10–20percentincreaseinthefrequencyoffreshesandbankfull.

VEGETATION

Maintainthecurrentextentofforestandwoodlandvegetationandnon-woodyvegetation.Nodeclineintheconditionofblackbox andriverredgum.

Improvedrecruitmentoftreeswithinblackboxandriverredgumcommunities.

Vegetationextent

Areaofriverredgum(ha) / Areaofblackbox(ha) / Areaofcoolibah(ha)* / Shrublands / Non–woodywaterdependentvegetation
2200 / 700 / CloselyfringingoroccurringwithintheLoddonRiver.

WATERBIRDS

Maintaincurrentspeciesdiversity.

IncreaseBasin-wideabundanceofwaterbirdsby20–25percentby2024.

A30–40percentincreaseinnestsandbroods(Basin-wide)forotherwaterbirds.

Upto50percentmorebreedingevents(Basin-wide)forcolonialnestingwaterbirdspecies.

FISH

Nolossofnativespecies.

Improvedpopulationstructureofkeyspeciesthroughregularrecruitment,including:

• Short-livedspecieswithdistributionandabundanceatpre-2007levelsandbreedingsuccessevery1–2years
• Moderatetolong-livedwithaspreadofageclassesandannualrecruitmentinatleast80percentofyears.

Increasedmovementsofkeyspecies.

Expandeddistributionofkeyspeciesandpopulations.

KeyspeciesfortheLoddoninclude:

Species / Specificoutcomes / In-scopeforC’the-waterintheLoddon?
Freshwatercatfish(Tandanustandanus) / Improvecorerangeinatleastthreeadditionallocations(candidatesitesincludetheLoddonRiver). / Yes
Goldenperch(Macquariaambigua) / A10–15percentincreaseofmaturefish(oflegaltakesize)inkeypopulations. / Yes
Murraycod(Maccullochellapeeliipeelii) / A10–15percentincreaseofmaturefish(oflegaltakesize)inkeypopulations. / Yes
Riverblackfish(Gadopsismarmoratus) / Establish1–3additionalpopulations(candidatesitesincludedownstreamoftheLoddon). / Yes
Silverperch(Bidyanusbidyanus) / Improvecorerangeinatleasttwoadditionallocations–(candidatesitesincludethelowerLoddon). / Yes

Wimmera

ExpectedoutcomesfromtheBasin-wideenvironmentalwateringstrategy(MDBA2014)thatarerelevanttotheWimmeraaredescribedbelow.

RIVERFLOWSANDCONNECTIVITY

Baseflowsareatleast60percentofthenaturallevel.

A10–20percentincreaseinthefrequencyoffreshesandbankfull.

VEGETATION

Maintainthecurrentextentofforestandwoodlandvegetationandnon-woodyvegetation.Improveconditionofblackboxandriverredgum.

Improvedrecruitmentoftreeswithinblackboxandriverredgumcommunities.

Vegetationextent

Areaofriverredgum(ha) / Areaofblackbox(ha) / Areaofcoolibah(ha) / Shrublands / Non–woodywaterdependentvegetation
6500 / 3100 / CloselyfringingoroccurringwithintheWimmeraRiver.

Blackboxcondition

Vegetationconditionscore / Percentofvegetationassessed(withinthemanagedfloodplain)
0–6 / >6–10
42percent / 58percent / 26percent

Riverredgumcondition

Vegetationconditionscore / Percentofvegetationassessed(withinthemanagedfloodplain)
0– 2 / >2– 4 / >4– 6 / >6– 8 / >8–10
3percent / 5percent / 18percent / 60percent / 13percent / 20percent

WATERBIRDS

Maintaincurrentspeciesdiversity.

IncreaseBasin-wideabundanceofwaterbirdsby20–25percentby2024.

A30–40percentincreaseinnestsandbroods(Basin-wide)forotherwaterbirds.

Upto50percentmorebreedingevents(Basin-wide)forcolonialnestingwaterbirdspecies.

FISH

Nolossofnativespecies.

Improvedpopulationstructureofkeyspeciesthroughregularrecruitment,including:

• Short-livedspecieswithdistributionandabundanceatpre-2007levelsandbreedingsuccessevery1–2years.
• Moderatetolong-livedwithaspreadofageclassesandannualrecruitmentinatleast80percentofyears.

Increasedmovementofkeyspecies.

Expandeddistributionofkeyspeciesandpopulations.

KeyspeciesfortheWimmerainclude:

Species / Specificoutcomes / In-scopeforC’the-waterintheWimmera?
Freshwatercatfish(Tandanustandanus) / Expandthecorerangeofatleasttwocurrentpopulations(candidatesitesincludeWimmeraRiver) / Yes

AttachmentB–Libraryofwateringactions

OperationalconsiderationsintheVictorianRiversintheMurray-DarlingBasin

ThedeliveryofenvironmentalwaterintheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasiniscurrentlyconstrainedbythereleasecapacitiesfromstorages,channelcapacitiesandsystemconstraints.Thepotentialriskstothirdpartiesareanimportantconsiderationforthedeliveryof environmentalwater.Floodplaininfrastructureworksmayalsoconstrainmaximumflowratesatdifferenttimesandlocations.

FurtherinformationaboutconstraintsintheMurray-DarlingBasinVictorianriversisprovidedbytheMurray-DarlingBasinAuthorityandcanbefound inPreliminaryOverviewofConstraintstoEnvironmentalWaterDeliveryintheMurray-DarlingBasin(MDBA2013a)andConstraintsManagementStrategy(MDBA2013b).Specificconstraintstobeconsideredaredetailedunderthepotentialwateringactions–standardoperatingarrangementssectionlaterinthisattachment.

Operationalconsiderationssuchasconstraintsandriskswilldifferdependingontheinflowscenario.Throughouttheyearoperationalandmanagementconsiderationswillbeaddressedasdecisionsaretakentomakewateravailableforuse,andasthesedecisionsareimplemented.Thiswillincluderefiningtheecologicalobjectives,assessingoperationalfeasibilityandpotentialrisksandtheongoingmonitoringoftheseasonaloutlookandriverconditions.

Potentialwateringactionsunderdifferentlevelsofwaterresourceavailability

Undercertainlevelsofwaterresourceavailability,wateringactionsmaynotbepursuedforavarietyofreasons.Forexample,environmentaldemandmaybemetbyunregulatedflowsorconstraintsand/orrisksmaylimittheabilitytodeliverenvironmentalwater.Table4identifiestherangeofpotentialwateringactionsintheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasinandthelevelsofwaterresourceavailabilitythatrelatetotheseactions.

Table4:SummaryofpotentialwateringactionsfortheVictorianriversintheMurray-DarlingBasin

BroadAsset / Indicativedemand / Applicablelevel(s)ofresourceavailability
VeryLow / Low / Moderate / High / VeryHigh
LowerBroken Creek(Reach3) / Year-roundbaseflowof40ML/dayatRices Weir. / 2a.Contributetominimumbaseflows allyeartosupportnativefishmovementthroughfishways.
Spring/autumnbaseflowof120ML/dayatRicesWeir. / 2b.ContributetohigherbaseflowsbetweenAugustandNovembertominimise Azollagrowth.
Spring/autumnbaseflowof150–250ML/dayatRicesWeir. / 2c.ContributetohighbaseflowsbetweenOctoberandMayto maintainDOlevelsabove5mg/L.
Winter/springflushingflowof 250ML/dayatRices Weir forupto14days. / 2d.ContributetoflushingflowsbetweenAugustandNovembertoremovelargeAzollablooms.
Spring/summerbaseflowof250ML/dayatRices Weir. / 2e.ContributetohighbaseflowsbetweenSeptemberandDecembertoincreasenativefishhabitatduringmigrationandbreedingseasons.
UpperBrokenCreek / Summer/autumnfreshof50–100ML/dayforupto10 days. / 3.Contributetofreshestomaintainwaterqualityandsupport survivalofnativefishandmacroinvertebrates.
BrokenRiver / Summer/autumnbaseflow.Minimum15ML/day. / 4a.Contributetobaseflowsto maintainhabitattosupportnativefish,aquaticplantsand macroinvertebrates.
Summer/autumnfresh
400–500 ML/dayfor2-8days plusgradualratesofriseandfall. / 4b.Contributetofreshestomaintainaquaticvegetationandprovidenativefishpassageandprovideflowcuesfornativefishbreedingandmigration.
Goulburn-Broken catchmentwetlands(excludingBarmah) / Wateringasrequiredforindividualwetlandsdependingonclimaticconditions,extentofinundationandmaximumdryintervals. / 5a.Contributeflowsinresponsetonaturalevents,to maintainwetlandhealth.
MoodieSwampevery1–2years / 5b.Contributetofill,ifdry,tosupportwetlandvegetationandwaterbirdhabitat.
BroadAsset / Indicativedemand / Applicablelevel(s)ofresourceavailability
VeryLow / Low / Moderate / High / VeryHigh
Campaspe River / Summerbaseflows
10–50ML/daytoreach4betweentheCampaspeSiphonandtheRiverMurray. / 6a.Contributetobaseflowsinsummer tomaintain:connectivityforprotectinginstreamandfringingvegetation;andpoolhabitattornativefishpopulations,especiallywithrespecttodissolvedoxygenandsalinitylevels.
Lowerendofrangeduringdryconditionsandhigherwhenpossible–maintainatalltimes.
Winter lowflowsof
20–200ML/dayatBarnadown Weir. / 6b.Contributetowinterlowflowstomaintain:riverredgum;nativefishandmacroinvertebratepopulations;andemergentvegetation.Lowerendofrangeduringdryconditions.Providevariabilitywithintherange.
Winterhighflow
1,000–1,500ML/dayfor2–4daystoreaches2and4.Lowerendofrangeduringdryconditions. / 6c.Contributetowinterhighflowstomaintain:riverredgum;nativefishandmacroinvertebratepopulations;andemergentvegetation.Importantlythisactionwillflushriverbenchesoforganicmattertomitigatepotentialwaterqualityissuesduringsummer.Deliver priortoplatypusegglaying (August)to encouragefemaleplatypustochooseburrowshigherontheriverbank.
Summerfreshes
100–200 ML/dayfor2-3days atBarnadown Weir -onlyifwinterfreshhasbeendelivered. / 6d.Contributetosummer/autumnfreshestosupport:nativefishandplatypuspopulations;improvewaterqualityandmacroinvertebratehabitat.
Volumesanddurationdependonconditions.
LoddonRiver
Reach4(Loddon Weir)with benefit toreaches1-3enroute and reach5 downstream) / Summerfreshes(Dec–May)
50-100ML/dayfor3–4 days atpeak,upto 3 peryear. / 7a.Contributetosummerfreshesindryscenariosforwatervolumeandqualityinrefugepools.HigherflowsduringDecembertoMarchmayberequired tominimisetheriskoftoxicblackwaterevents.
Winter/springhighflow(Sept–Oct)450–750ML/day with a7–10daypeak,1peryearunderallscenarios. / 7b.Contributetothewinter/springhighflowtoprovideflowsthroughfloodrunners flushaccumulatedorganicmatterfrombanksandbenches andreducingorganicloadaheadofsummer.
Winterlowflow(continuousJune–Nov)50–100ML/day. / 7c.Contributetowinter/springlowflowstomaintain depthforfish,platypusandwaterratmovement;flushsedimentandbiofilmonsubmergedwood;maintainbankmoistureandpreventterrestrialisationofbankvegetation.
Summerlowflows(continuousDec–May)25–50ML/day. / 7d.Contributetosummer/autumnlowflowsforconnectivityandwaterquality.
Autumnhighflow(April–May)
400ML/daywith a6 daypeakand3weeksoverall,1peryear. / 7e.Contribute toanautumnhighflowdeliveredwithaPyramidCreekflowasafishattractantflowintotheriverfromreach5
OvensRiver / Summer/autumnfresh(Feb–May)whenthebulkwatertransferfromLakeBuffaloisavailable
70MLover2days. / 8a.Contributetomaintainingthemovementofnativefish,naturalconnectivitybetweenpoolsandrifflesandwiththeRiverMurray,supportingmicroinvertebratehabitatandscouringofbio-filmfrombeds
Baseflowsifbulkwatertransfernotavailable(Nov–May)
70MLover2days. / 8b.Contributetomaintainingnativefishhabitatandconnectivitysufficientforfishpassagebetweenpools.