Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760:front:0:p70
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 192565–195879

How Authority identifies Basin annual environmental watering priorities
(4) The Authority may identify priority environmental assets and priority ecosystem functions, and their environmental watering requirements, from:
            (a) any that are identified in the Basin‑wide environmental watering strategy in accordance with subparagraph 8.14(2)(a)(i); or
            (b) any that:
                (i) are identified in a long‑term watering plan; and
                (ii) were identified using the methods in Part 5.
(5) The Authority may determine Basin annual environmental watering priorities by:
            (a) adopting priorities that:
                (i) are identified by Basin States in their annual environmental watering priorities; and
                (ii) were identified by applying the principles and using the method in Part 6; or
            (b) determining priorities for applying environmental water by applying the principles and using the method in Part 6; or
            (c) if there is likely to be insufficient water to provide for all priorities determined in accordance with paragraph (a) or paragraph (b)—determining what should be considered a priority for watering by applying the principles and using the method in Part 6.

Consistency requirements
(6) The Basin annual environmental watering priorities must be consistent with:
            (a) the objectives in Part 2 of this Chapter; and
            (b) the Basin‑wide environmental watering strategy; and
            (c) any environmental watering schedule to which the Authority is a party.

8.30 Publication of Basin annual environmental watering priorities
The Authority must publish on its website the Basin annual environmental watering priorities:
            (a) before the commencement of the water accounting period to which they relate; and
            (b) if the priorities are reviewed and updated in accordance with section 8.31—as soon as practicable after they are updated.

8.31 Review and update of Basin annual environmental watering priorities
The Authority may review and update the Basin annual environmental watering priorities at any time, including during the water accounting period.

        Division 6—Principles to be applied in environmental watering

        Subdivision A—Principles to be applied in environmental watering

8.32 Outline of Subdivision
This Subdivision sets out the principles to be applied in environmental watering.
Note: See the definition of environmental watering in section 4 of the Act.

8.33 Principle 1—Basin annual environmental watering priorities
Environmental watering is to be undertaken having regard to the Basin annual environmental watering priorities.
Note: There may be reasons why it is not possible in particular circumstances to undertake watering in accordance with these priorities. Section 8.44 then applies.

8.34 Principle 2—Consistency with the objectives in Part 2
Environmental watering is to be undertaken consistently with the objectives in Part 2.

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