Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2011–12
Download 5.6 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Main responsibilities for this outcome
- 1000 gigalitres of environmental water delivered since inception
- More than halfway to bridging the gap
- Infrastructure investment
- Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, Stage 2 (NVIRP2)
- Finalisation of the National Water Knowledge and Research Platform
- Establishment of the Office of Water Science
- Establishment of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
- Launch of the National Hydrologic Modelling Platform
Outcome 4: Sustainable water‘Improving water management to promote resilient and sustainable communities.’Adaptation to climate change, wise water use, secure water supplies, and improved health of rivers, waterways and freshwater ecosystems by supporting research, and reforming the management and use of water resources. Main responsibilities for this outcome
Objectives
Highlights1000 gigalitres of environmental water delivered since inceptionIn April 2012, a milestone of 1000 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water delivered to wetlands and rivers in the Murray–Darling Basin was reached. Environmental water has benefited important environmental assets, including Hattah Lakes in Victoria, the Macquarie Marshes in NSW and lakes Alexandrina and Albert in South Australia, along with rivers including the Goulburn and Murrumbidgee. Besides improving river and wetland ecosystem health, the water has been used to ensure the protection and conservation of Murray Cod, river red gums and waterbirds. More than halfway to bridging the gapEnvironmental water recovery efforts to bridge the gap to the new sustainable diversion limit in the Murray–Darling Basin have provided for an increase in the average annual volume of water available for the environment of around 1522 gigalitres by the end of 2011-12. This is more than halfway to achieving the proposed reduction in surface water diversions in the draft Murray–Darling Basin Plan of 2750 gigalitres. Water for the Future initiatives account for the majority of the water recovered so far to bridge the gap. Substantial irrigation modernisation projects are under way in all Basin states, and contracted water recoveries through infrastructure works are now approaching half of the 600 gigalitres of gap bridging water expected under the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure program. Infrastructure investmentMore than $1 billion in funding has been invested in irrigation infrastructure to deliver water reform. This investment will improve the efficiency of irrigation networks to fix and replace old, leaky systems, modernise on-farm infrastructure, and rationalise and upgrade delivery systems. Key achievementsNorthern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, Stage 2 (NVIRP2)On 18 October 2011, the Australian and Victorian governments signed a contract for Stage 2 of the $1.2 billion Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP2). The project is the largest Australian Government investment in irrigation infrastructure and will produce 214 gigalitres in water savings. The project will help restore the Murray River to health and deliver a world class irrigation system for northern Victoria’s food producers. NVIRP2 includes an on-farm irrigation modernisation project which will complement the NVIRP2 irrigation infrastructure upgrade, enabling farmers to realise the full benefit of both off-farm and on-farm irrigation modernisation. Finalisation of the National Water Knowledge and Research PlatformThe National Water Knowledge and Research Platform, prepared after extensive discussions with states and the research community, was finalised by the COAG Standing Council for Environment and Water. The objective of the platform is for key decisions on water policy, management and use in Australia to be based on best available and continuously improving knowledge and information. The platform identifies national priority water knowledge and research needs for the next five years. The platform does not seek to describe governance models, funding options or budget for the supply of research services; rather it focuses on identifying priorities and establishing consistent approaches for obtaining and using research in priority areas. Establishment of the Office of Water ScienceThe Office of Water Science was established in November 2011 in response to the Australian Government’s initiative to improve scientific research, and increase community confidence in decision making processes regarding the impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining developments on water resources. Since its establishment the Office of Water Science has:
Establishment of the Commonwealth Environmental Water OfficeIn December 2011, a Commonwealth Environmental Water Office was established. Operating as a distinct entity, it provides separation within the department between the statutory position of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and other Murray–Darling Basin policy and program roles. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder was made a dedicated statutory office position. Please refer to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Annual Report in this chapter for details. Launch of the National Hydrologic Modelling PlatformAs part of the 2008 Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Hydrologic Modelling Platform (formerly the National Hydrologic Modelling Strategy), the department established a funding arrangement with eWater Limited in May 2012 to adopt their source model. The COAG initiative will help ensure cross-border consistency in water resource planning and management. It links science, policy and management to help policy makers and operators consider future scenarios and alternative water management options for catchments, urban environments and river systems. The National Hydrologic Modelling Platform is the culmination of more than 20 years of research, development and significant collaboration with governments, national water authorities, private industry partners and Australia’s leading hydrologic and ecological scientists. The Australian Government will provide almost $4 million to support participating states (New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory) adopt the model. Directory: system -> files -> resources resources -> Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An Analysis of International Approaches resources -> The National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List: 1 july 2008 30 june 2013 resources -> Reference list for water related coal seam gas and coal mining research resources -> Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators isd sections of Law resources -> Executive Summary 3 Background 4 Developing the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme 4 resources -> Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by resources -> Sawfish and River Sharks Multispecies Issues Paper resources -> Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Queensland Crocodile Farming Download 5.6 Mb. Share with your friends:
|