It recognises that the integrity and protection of rural communities is important. Water Water of a quality to meet human, agricultural, industrial and environmental requirements. The Water Objective acknowledges that water is one of the Murray's most valuable assets, which underpins the existence of human settlement, the survival of many of the catchment's industries and environmental well being. Soil Health Soil health maintained or enhanced. Healthy soil is a vital asset to many of the catchment's industries and is a basic ingredient of environmental health.
Soil health has a significant link with water quality and vegetation health and condition.
Biodiversity Natural biological diversity is maintained or enhanced at the landscape level. Adequate levels of biodiversity are essential to the maintenance of agricultural production systems, healthy rivers, soil and clean air. Diverse biological systems may also offer valuable alternative streams of income for rural communities. A range of possible targets was considered and relevant technical staff were asked to consider the validity of proposing a target, in their area of expertise, that would meet the above criteria. Using the information and recommendations provided by the technical panel the following preliminary Catchment Targets have been proposed and circulated for comment - End of valley salinity target.