Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760:front:0:p71
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 195583–198978

8.35 Principle 3—Maximising environmental benefits
Subject to the principles in sections 8.33 and 8.34, environmental watering is to be undertaken in a way that:
            (a) maximises multiple environmental benefits of environmental watering; and
Example: Ensuring that the water achieves the best environmental outcomes including through multi‑site watering en route to an intended priority environmental asset.
            (b) maximises its benefits and effectiveness by:
                (i) co‑ordinating environmental watering between all holders of held environmental water and managers of planned environmental water; and
                (ii) co‑ordinating environmental watering with flows regulated for consumptive use; and
                (iii) utilising local knowledge and experience; and
                (iv) having regard to Indigenous values; and
                (v) having regard to social and economic outcomes; and
            (c) enhances existing flow events, where possible, so as to ensure improvement in the delivery of a full range of flow conditions, including high flow events; and
            (d) takes into consideration the relative ecological benefits of applying environmental water to achieve one environmental outcome over another environmental outcome; and
            (e) takes into consideration the variability of the natural flow regime, for example, by mitigating or avoiding seasonal inversion of flows; and
            (f) incorporates strategies to deal with a variable and changing climate; and
            (g) enables information to be shared between the Authority, the Commonwealth, Basin States, holders of held environmental water and managers of planned environmental water to ensure efficient and effective use of environmental water.

8.36 Principle 4—Risks
Environmental watering is to be undertaken having regard to:
            (a) potential risks, including downstream risks, that may result from applying environmental water and measures that may be taken to minimise the risks; and
            (b) risks arising from impediments to the delivery of water to water‑dependent ecosystems, including risks of extraction of that water for other uses, and inadequate accounting of water flows.

8.37 Principle 5—Cost of environmental watering
Environmental watering is to be undertaken having regard to the quantity of water and other resources required relative to the expected environmental benefits.

8.38 Principle 6—Apply the precautionary principle
A lack of full scientific certainty as to whether there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.

8.39 Principle 7—Working effectively with local communities
Environmental watering should be undertaken having regard to the views of:
            (a) local communities, including bodies established by a Basin State that express community views in relation to environmental watering; and
            (b) persons materially affected by the management of environmental water.

8.40 Principle 8—Adaptive management
Adaptive management should be applied in the planning, prioritisation and use of environmental water.
Note:  See section 1.07 for the meaning of adaptive management.

8.41 Principle 9—Relevant international agreements
Environmental watering should be undertaken in a