Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760:front:0:p60
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 162710–166031

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 and restore connectivity within and between water‑dependent ecosystems, including by ensuring that:
            (a) the diversity and dynamics of geomorphic structures, habitats, species and genes are protected and restored; and
            (b) ecological processes dependent on hydrologic connectivity:
                (i) longitudinally along watercourses; and
                (ii) laterally between watercourses and their floodplains (and associated wetlands); and
                (iii) vertically between the surface and subsurface;
            are protected and restored; and
            (c) the Murray Mouth remains open at frequencies, for durations, and with passing flows, sufficient to enable the conveyance of salt, nutrients and sediment from the Murray‑Darling Basin to the ocean; and
            (d) the Murray Mouth remains open at frequencies, and for durations, sufficient to ensure that the tidal exchanges maintain the Coorong's water quality (in particular salinity levels) within the tolerance of the Coorong ecosystem's resilience; and
Note: This is to ensure that water quality is maintained at a level that does not compromise the ecosystem and that hydrologic connectivity is restored and maintained.
            (e) the levels of the Lower Lakes are managed to ensure sufficient discharge to the Coorong and Murray Mouth and help prevent river bank collapse and acidification of wetlands below Lock 1, and to avoid acidification and allow connection between Lakes Alexandrina and Albert, by:
                (i) maintaining levels above 0.4 metres Australian Height Datum for 95% of the time, as far as practicable; and
                (ii) maintaining levels above 0.0 metres Australian Height Datum all of the time; and
            (f) barriers to the passage of biological resources (including biota, carbon and nutrients) through the Murray‑Darling Basin are overcome or mitigated.
(4) An objective is that natural in‑stream and floodplain processes that shape landforms (for example, the formation and maintenance of soils) are protected and restored.
(5) An objective is to support habitat diversity for biota at a range of scales (including, for example, the Murray‑Darling Basin, riverine landscape, river reach and asset class).
(6) An objective is to protect and restore ecosystem functions of water‑dependent ecosystems that maintain populations (for example recruitment, regeneration, dispersal, immigration and emigration) including by ensuring that:
            (a) flow sequences, and inundation and recession events, meet ecological requirements (for example, cues for migration, germination and breeding); and
            (b) habitat diversity, extent, condition and connectivity that supports the life cycles of biota of water‑dependent ecosystems (for example, habitats that protect juveniles from predation) is maintained.
(7) An objective is to protect and restore ecological community structure, species interactions and food webs that sustain water‑dependent ecosystems, including by protecting and