Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760:front:0:p59
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 159715–162983

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder must have regard to the Basin annual environmental watering priorities.
Note: The Act imposes other obligations onto the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder that relate to the environmental watering plan. See sections 105, 106 and 114 of the Act.

        Part 2—Overall environmental objectives for water‑dependent ecosystems
Note: This Part sets out overall environmental objectives and particular objectives for each of those objectives.
These objectives will be met in part by the provision of environmental water, but will also be supported by other management actions. See also subsections 22(9) to (12) of the Act.

8.04 Overall environmental objectives
The overall environmental objectives for the water‑dependent ecosystems of the Murray‑Darling Basin are, within the context of a working Murray‑Darling Basin:
            (a) to protect and restore water‑dependent ecosystems of the Murray‑Darling Basin; and
            (b) to protect and restore the ecosystem functions of water‑dependent ecosystems; and
            (c) to ensure that water‑dependent ecosystems are resilient to climate change and other risks and threats.
Note:  The fact that water storages and properties (including floodplains) are under the control of various persons currently restricts the capacity to actively manage all water‑dependent ecosystems.

8.05 Protection and restoration of water‑dependent ecosystems
(1) This section sets out particular objectives relating to the protection and restoration of the water‑dependent ecosystems of the Murray‑Darling Basin.
(2) An objective is to protect and restore a subset of all water‑dependent ecosystems of the Murray‑Darling Basin, including by ensuring that:
            (a) declared Ramsar wetlands that depend on Basin water resources maintain their ecological character; and
Note: See paragraph 21(3)(c) of the Act.
            (b) water‑dependent ecosystems that depend on Basin water resources and support the life cycles of species listed under the Bonn Convention, CAMBA, JAMBA or ROKAMBA continue to support those species; and
            (c) water‑dependent ecosystems are able to support episodically high ecological productivity and its ecological dispersal.
(3) An objective is to protect and restore biodiversity that is dependent on Basin water resources by ensuring that:
            (a) water‑dependent ecosystems that support the life cycles of a listed threatened species or listed threatened ecological community, or species treated as threatened or endangered (however described) in State law, are protected and, if necessary, restored so that they continue to support those life cycles; and
            (b) representative populations and communities of native biota are protected and, if necessary, restored.

8.06 Protection and restoration of ecosystem functions of water‑dependent ecosystems
(1) This section sets out particular objectives relating to the protection and restoration of the ecosystem functions of water‑dependent ecosystems.
(2) An objective is that the water quality of Basin water resources does not adversely affect water‑dependent ecosystems and is consistent with the water quality and salinity management plan.
(3) An objective is to protect