Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2008A00139:schedule:1:p126
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2008A00139
Segment Type: schedule
Provision Reference: sch 1 (pt 126/128)
Character Range: 417980–420994

far as possible, in the interests of conserving a niche for native rather than invasive exotic species and in maintaining the natural functions of the river.

(e) Consistent and constant flow and water level regimes should be avoided where practical, as this is contrary to the naturally variable flow regime of the River Murray.

(f) The general principles of ecosystem services should be recognised.

(g) Environmental benefit should be optimised.

       (5) As soon as practicable after the end of each Water Year, the Authority must report to the Contracting Governments on the environmental outcomes of the River Murray Increased Flows during that Water Year, in the light of the objectives determined by the Ministerial Council for those Increased Flows.

    21. Authority To Maintain River Murray Increased Flows Accounts

       (1) The continuous water accounts for the River Murray Increased Flows known as:

(a) the Initial River Murray Increased Flows Account; and

(b) the River Murray Increased Flows in Authority Storages Account,

        maintained under sub‑clause 21(1) of Schedule G of the former Agreement immediately prior to commencement of this Schedule are continued in existence.

       (2) The Authority must maintain the continuous water accounts of the River Murray Increased Flows referred to in sub‑clause 21(1) in the manner required by this clause.

       (3) The Authority must:

(a) credit the Initial River Murray Increased Flows Account with the River Murray Annual Allocation notified by New South Wales;

(b) transfer from the Initial River Murray Increased Flows Account to the River Murray Increased Flows in Authority Storages Account, River Murray Above Target Releases allocated to the River Murray Increased Flows in accordance with the Strategy;

(c) record in the River Murray Increased Flows in Authority Storages Account the transfer of water in that account between Authority storages; and

(d) record in the River Murray Increased Flows in Authority Storages Account the release of River Murray Increased Flows from Authority storages.

       (4) The River Murray Increased Flows Accounts must be independently audited unless the Authority by resolution declares otherwise.

       (5) As soon as practicable after the completion of each audit, the Authority must send a copy of the audited River Murray Increased Flows Accounts to the Contracting Governments.

    22. Binding Effect of Strategy

Despite any other provision in this Agreement but subject to Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XII of the Agreement, the Authority must:

       (1) allocate River Murray Above Target Releases to the River Murray Increased Flows Accounts; and

       (2) manage the water in and releases of water from the River Murray Increased Flows in Authority Storages Account,

in accordance with the Strategy.

PART VI — NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION PROVISIONS

    23. Authority To Be Informed Of New Proposals

A Contracting Government must inform the